Skip to main content

Full text of "The history of Waterbury, Connecticut;"

See other formats 


m 


The  history  of 
Waterbury,  Connecticut 


V 


Henry  Bronson 


John  E.  Marble 

1313  Garfield  Avenue 
South  Pasadena.  CALiroRNiA 


t 


Diguizea  by  LiOC> 


Digitized  6y  Google 


THE 


HISTORY 

/  ^ 


WATERBURY, 

CONNECTICUT; 

THE  ORIGINAL  TOWNSHIP  EMBRACING  PRESENT  WATERTOWN  AND 
PLYMUUTU,  AND  PAR^re  OF  OXFORD,  WOLCOTT,  MIDDLE- 
BUBY,  PRObPECT  AND  NAUGATUCK. 

WITH  AN 

or 

BI06RAPHY,  GENEALOGY  AND  STATISTICS. 


BT  HENitT  BBONSON,  IL  D. 


W ATEBBURY: 
PUBLISHED  BT  BRONBOV  BROTHERa 


1868. 

A 


Digitizoa  by  Li(.)o^le 


Batered,  according  to  Act  of  CoDgraiB,  in  the  yew  1868, 

By  henry  broxson, 

la  the  Glerk'8  OiBoe  ol  the  District  Court  of  Connecticut 


Mated  bf 

T.  1.  STAFTORD. 
I  fliMs  SnoT,  (STAmm  Bmune^) 


Digitizoa  by  Li(.)o^le 


P  U  B  L I  S 11  E 11 8'  NOTICE. 


The  late  iinancial  crisis  ri'iHleicil  it  expedient  to  defer  for  a 
few  monllis  tlie  issue  of  tliis  volume.  The  jaililishers  uoiiUl 
regret  this,  had  uot  the  delay  enabled  thcin  to  add  to  the 
number  of  engravings  which  had  been  previously  provided. 
Subscribers  and  otlicrs,  it  is  lioped,  will  be  more  than  satisfied, 
liesides  the  additions  referred  to,  the  work  contains  over  one 
hundred  pages  of  printed  matter  more  than  were  anticipated 
when  proposals  were  issued.  In  point  of  mechanical  execn< 
tion,  the  publishers  feel  assured  the  book  will  occasion  no 
disappointment,  unless  an  agreeable  one.  They  have  taken 
pride  in  it,  and  liave  not  been  actuated  wholly  bj'  seltish 
motives.  As  a  work  of  art,  however,  thej  do  not  take  the  chief 
credit  to  themselves.  Unaided,  they  could  have  done  little 
towards  providing  the  numerous  and  expensive  engravings 
which  emhellish  the  volume.  Tlie  greater  proportion  of  these 
have  been  furnished  by  the  liberality  of  others — those  takinga 
deep  interest  in  tlie  success  of  the  undertaking.  TJie  author 
has  sacrificed  much  time  and  labor,  with  the  object  of  benefit- 
ing his  native  town,  and  presenting  it  witH  a  reliable  record 
of  its  past  history.  Of  his  success,  it  is  unnecessary  hero 
to  speak.  It  has  been  the  aim  of  all  interested,  to  make  the 
book  in  substance  and  in  form,  worthy  of  the  dead,  honorable 
to  the  living,  and  acceptable  to  its  immediate  patrons. 

BRUNSO>  BROTUEKS,  J'uUither*. 

Watrrbcrt,  May,  1858. 


Digitizoa  by  Li(.)o^le 


DigrttzHd  by  Google 


t 


PREFJlOE. 

It  is  well  known  tbat  my  (kther,  the  late  Bbhnbt  Brohbok,  spent 
nndi  time  In  the  collection  of  fiicts,  lustortcal,  genealogical  and  tradi- 
tionaiy,  relatiDg  to  the  early  history  of  Waterburj.    He  began  this 
work  as  early  as  1820,  and  prosecuted  it  at  intenrals  during  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  His  object  was  simply  information  on  a  subject 
which  Lad  boen  almost  wholly  neglected  by  others,    lie  not  only 
searched  the  Waterbury  reoordsi  but  he  examined  the  records  of  Far- 
mington  and  Hartford,  and  opened  a  correspondence  with  those  suppos- 
ed to  have  important  knowledge  of  the  old  famillies  of  the  town,  llms 
he  gained  a  large  stock  of  information,  and  about  1830,  wrote  a  brief 
historical  account  of  ancient  Waterbuty,  which  he  deliTered  to  his  fel- 
low citizens,  ns  an  evening  lecture,  in  the  old  meeting  house.  After- 
wards, several  prominent  individuals  addressed  him  a  letter,  requesting 
him  to  write,  for  publication,  a  history  of  the  town.  He  neglected  to 
do  this ;  but  when  Barber  was  gathering  materials  for  the  Connecticut 
Historical  Collections,  he  furnished  a  sketch  of  tlie  old  town,  which, 
with  slight  alterations  and  some  abridgment^  was  published  in  that  work. 
Two  or  three  years  before  his  death,  he  re-wrote  his  lecture,  amplifying 
and  correcting  it,  and  bringing  it  down  to  the  dose  of  the  Revolutionary 


Digitizoa  by  Li(.)o^le 


iv  P&EFAOB. 

war.  As  left,  it  would  hare  made,  perhaps,  fiftecfn  {yrinted  pag«s. 
He  also  added  to,  and  perfected  in  a  certain  sense,  his  genealogical 
tablet. 

Two  yean  after  my  fiithei^  deatli,  with  a  design  of  presemof^  more 

effectually  what  had  been  done^I  undertook  myself  to  write  a  fuller  hie- 
torical  sketch,  nmig  the  papera  which  hare  been  mentioiied,  and  the 
notes  and  extracts  from  records  from  which  these  had  been  prepared. 
My  labors  then  had  no  reference  to  publication.  At  this  stage,  the 
Messrs.  BaoiieoM  Bbotbsbs  proposed  to  publish  a  History  of  Waterbufy, 
and  applied  to  me  to  provide  the  maonacript  Knowing  the  hibor  and 
time  wbidi  would  be  required,  I  declined.  No  one  else,  however,  being 
willing  to  undertake  the  task,  I  reversed  my  decision,  and  reluctantly 
consented.  I  loon  found,  however,  that  in  order  to  understand  the  rab* 
jeot — to  get  hold  of  its  spirit  and  to  oonstme  properly  the  ftcts — 
must  begin  at  the  banning  and  go  over  the  entire  ground  anew.  I 
have  done  this,  and  the  present  book  is  the  result.  Those  who  have 
been  engaged  in  a  similar  undertaking  need  not  be  told  the  labor  it  has 
cost ;  and  those  who  have  not  would  not  comprehend  me,  though  I 
should  attempt  to  tell  them. 

Deeming  the  early  events  of  Walerbury  in  most  need  of  a  historian^ 
in  most  danger  of  being  lost — I  have  given  much  time  and  space  to 
them.  Modem  history,  particularly  that  which  may  be  called  post- 
Bevolutionaiy,  has  not  engaged  so  much  of  my  attention.  After  1800, 
the  reader  will  find  only  items  and  fragments,  with  no  attempt  at  a 
complete  history.  What  I  have  neglected  it  is  to  be  hoped  some  other 
person,  who  is  wilting  to  labor  in  a  humble  way  without  reward,  will 
undertake. 

In  what  I  have  written,  I  have  relied  mainly  on  record  evidence,  and 
rejected  traditional  knowledge  as  untrustworthy.  By  pursuing  this 
method,  I  have  sometimes  saerifioed  popular  attraction  to  truth  or,  in 
other  words,  history.   It  has  been  no  part  of  my  purpose  to  furnish  en- 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


I 


PBERACB.  ▼ 

terUinmentfor  the  readen  of  l^adaiy  tal«,  though  I  might  have  dono 
ao  with  QompanUifdj  little  labor.  I  have  aimed  to  be  eomet  in  all  that 
I  have  written  and  quoted.  It  cannot  be,  however,  that  I  have  m;uie  no 
mistakes.  My  authorities  have  sometimes  been  copiea  of  the  originals 
made  hj  othet%  which  in  some  caaea  had  been  re-written,  possibly,  more 
than  onee.  Facts  and  dates  ^ven  in  letters  of  correspondenoe  may  have 
been  relied  on  too  implicitly.  It  is  easier  to  criticise  error  in  a  work  of 
this  kind,  than  wholly  to  avoid  it.  It  is  oommoo  to  plead  "  want  of  time  " 
as  an  ap  )\o^^y  for  shortcomings  in  this  regard ;  bnt  I  claim  that  no  man 
has  a  right  to  make  a  book  in  haste.  In  ray  quotations  from  early  rec- 
Olds,  I  have  preferred,  in  most  cases,  to  give  perfect  transcripts  of  the 
originals,  even  to  the  matter  of  orthography  and  punctuation.  My  ob- 
ject in  this  has  been  to  give  the  truest  history,  and  to  preserve  portions 
of  the  record  which  might  be  lost.  Thinking  it'improbable  that  any  one 
would  again  go  over  the  ground  of  my  inqniries,  at  any  rate,  with 
equal  advantages,  I  have  eodeavored  to  perpetuate  what  I  could  with 
authentic  types.  If  the  reader  complains  that  I  have  introduced  trivial 
auljeots,  and  bnve  spent  too  much  time  on  things  of  little  importance,  I 
have  only  to  say,  that  I  have  occupied  myself  with  the  matters  which 
most  interested  those  whose  history  I  have  written.  They  were  men 
who  gave  their  time  to  their  own  private  affiurs^o  their  individual, 
social,  religious  and  material  interests— and  I  must  needs  dwell  upon 
these  or  be  silent 

Of  those  who  have  assisted  me  in  the  prepafalion  of  this  work,  I  must 
mention  partieulariy  Ifr.  Pbilo  M.  TROwaunai.  He  has  given  me 
important  aid  in  the  examination  of  records  and  in  furnishing  mc  with 
extracts.  He  has  had  chaige  of  the  genealogies  contained  in  the  Appen- 
dix, and  ia  chiefly  responsible  fer  that  portion  of  the  work.  I  have 
furnished  him  my  own  and  my  fethei's  collections  of  materials ;  and 
from  these  and  the  original  records,  and  his  own  independent  inquiries, 
he  haa  compiled  the  tables*  These  extended  genealogies  were  not 


Digitizoa  by  Li(.)o^[e 


yi  PBKIAOE. 

oootemplfttod  in  the  oi^ginal  plan  of  the  work.  I  deaigDed  to  give  a 
■omewhat  pafticolar^aooonnt  of  the  oigmal  proprietoft  of  Waterbuiy 

and  their  children,  as  I  Lavo  done  in  Chapters  XI  and  XII ;  but  the 
continuation  of  the  aabjeot  in  the  Appendix  was  an  afterthought  of  the 
pnUiahen  and  othere.  This  will  eiplain  how  it  happens  that  the  gene* 

alogies  of  particular  families  are  to  be  sought  for  in  different  portions  of 
the  work. 

Hr.  SnvisfBB  Judd  of  Northampton  haa  given  me  mneh  iofbrmation 
oonceming  the  fimt  settlers  of  Waterbury.  Rev.  William  8.  Poivrb  of 

New  Haven  has  kindly  allowed  nie  the  use  of  his  papers  on  the  geneal- 
ogy of  the  early  settleis  of  Farmingtoo. 

In  the  preparation  of  this  volume^  I  have  found  it  diiBeult  to  divest 
myself  of  the  idea  that  I  am  still  a  resident  of  my  native  town.  Find- 
ing this,  on  the  whole,  a  pleasant  delusion,  I  have  taken  no  pains  to 
dispel  it  From  many  passages  in  the  work,  the  feeder  woold  infer  that 
^yate^bu^y  had  not  ceased  to  be  my  dwelling  place. 

I  am  mortified  to  find  that  there  are  a  few  errors  which  escaped  notice 
till  the  sheets  were  printsd.  They  are  in  part  owing  to  my  inezperieaoe 
in  reading  proofs.  The  most  important  of  them,  it  is  hoped,  have  been 
corrected  in  the  errata  at  the  end. 

Nfiw  IIav£n,  December,  1857. 


Digitizoa  by  Li(.)o^le 


INDEX  TO  ENGRAVINGS. 


ViKw  or  THB  CiTT  ov  Watebbdrt,  Oppoeite  Title  Page. 

Portrait  op  BgWNKT  Bbowsow,  .-.  . .  .Uppoflitc  Page  1 

Plan  of  tiik  VitLAOK  or  Mattatpck,   **        "  16 

Portrait  or  Samckl  Hopkins.  D.  P..   "        "  82 

**      Mark  Lkayewworth   "        "  48 

Map  or  tub  Old  Township  or  Watkrblry,   **  64 

Portrait  or  J.  M.  L.  ScoviLL^                                                        "  80 

"      Dr.  Isaac  Bronson,   "        "  96 

Eli  Tkrrt                                                             "  lia 

Fac-similics,     128 

Portrait  or  Samokl  M.  Hopkins,  LL.  P.,                                        "  144 

William  H.  Scovit.i   "        "  IfiO 

Dkacon  Jahks  Brown                                                 '  176 

JosiAn  Bronson   "        "  192 

"      Dr.  Ambrose  Ivm,   "        "  208 

**      Captain  Redliks  Hoi.Mr.s   "        "  224 

Almon  Farrkll   "        "  240 

"      Pkacow  Aaron  Bknkdict.   "        '*  266 

Ai.vix  Uronson   "         "  272 

Skth  Thomas.   "  -'^8 

John  Bcckinoham..     ^^'^4 

"         GrKKN  KkNDRICK,     '120 

"      SiLAa  Hronson   •        "  362 

Israel  HotMna,   "        "  384 

View  of  Bknedict  and  Burnham  MANurACttHiNU  Co*s  Workj<,    432 

"      Watkrbury  Brass  CoMPANT^a  Works,   "        "  464 

**      ScoTiLL  Manupactdrinq  Company's  Works,   '*        "  496 

Brown  and  Brothers'  Works,   '*       "  628 

"      Holmes,  Booth  and  liAYDtNg*  Works.   "        "  660 


.  ^  _  .  y  Google 


ADDITIONAL  CORRECTIONS. 


TuK  dfluy  in  tlie  iiuhruiition  o\'  tliis  work  luis  pivon  tlio  author  an  opportuniljr 
to  add  to  tlif  con ci  tiuiis  \shuli  will  Ik-  inuiid  at  the  end  of  the  Yohiine. 
Tuge  liitli,  17 til  lint'  Ironi  bottom,  n/l>r  date,  ins,  i  t  (Maj  21,  1677.) 
I'age  ly,  lid  liiu^  from  top, touiitry,  read  comity. 
Page  2»j,  fUh  line  from  top, /or  1673,  read  1672. 

Page  43,  od  line  from  bottom,  after  lt)8»>-7,  rraxe  the  jjoriod  and  insert  a  comma. 
Page  86ibt  4th  line  from  Uottoui,  erase  the  t»eiit<cucc  beginning  with  "  it  will  be 
noticod." 

Page  191,  .^t}i  line  from  top — This  John  died  an  infant.  A  t^ocond  John  Stanli  y 
(baptized  May  25,  lt'.,s2,)  m.  Aug.  1710,  Hannah,  daugliter  of  Dea.  Sanmcl  Porter, 
and  Dec.  fl,  1714,  Mary  Wright.  He  wan  made  a  bachelor  |)roprictor  in  1716, 
(see  p.  I'io,)  and  died  Sep.  8,  17  IS,  having  Imd  throe  diildrcn. 

Pago  191,  24th  line  from  top — The  Thomas  Stanley  who  ni.  Anne  I'eck  wa.H  not 
the  son  of  Lieut.  Jolm  of  Waterbury,  but  of  ('apt.  John  Stardey  of  Furmington, 
and  died  April  14, 1713.  It  was  his  widow  Anne,  and  not  he,  who  d.  May  23, 1718. 
(8^«  p.  189.) 

Page  239,  loth  line  from  bottom, /or  .srhool  and,  rfnd  school  land. 

Page  320,  add  to  the  list  of  those  engaged  in  the  old  French  war,  the  name  of 
Mof^e.s  Cook,  drummer. 

Page  421,  2d  and  :.d  lines  from  top,/or  Wealthy  U.  Upoon,  read  Mrs.  Wealthy 
Uopkins  Norton,  (wlm>e  maiden  name  was  Upson.) 

Page  402,  2(  th  line  from  top, /or  Isi,  Buth  Frisbie,  2d,  Olive  Warner, r«ic2  Ist, 
Olive  Warner,  2d,  Ruth  Frisbie. 

Page  486,  last  line, /or  David,  read  Daniel. 

Page  487,  luth  line  from  top, /or  Charles,  read  Willbm. 

Page  49i\  0th  line  from  bottom,  rrasr  Benjamin  and  insert  Alma,  ni.  Kli  Curtis ; 
IV.  Anna  Maria;  Y.  Philomela;  VI.  Bcigamin.   Other  children  d.  in  childliood. 


Diguizoa  Ly  doodle 


DiSCOVKKY  or  TIIF.  NaCQATCCK  VaLLET  ;  PBKrARATIOSS  rOB  A  SgTTLEMKXT,.  .  1 

•     rnAPTF.R  IT. 

Tng  Skttlemest  BKQCS :  Tows  Center,   12 

CHAI'TKU  III. 
 ■ 

Dkunqpext  Scbscribers,   24 

rn  A  PTE  R  IV 

SpDSCRIHKRS  who  riKALLT  BKCDRED  THEIB  RtQHT9.   81 

The  CoMMox  Fknce  AM)  Common-  Fikm>,   47 

rn  vPTKu  vr.  • 

Imdiak  PcRCHABM :  lycoRPORATiox  OF  TngTowx;  Seqpesterkp  Lamps..  .. «  62 

CnAPTKR  YII. 

"Nfiii<»  70 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

RoADB,  Bripoes,  &c.,   98 

CHAPTER  IX. 

IXDIAM  Wara:  the  Great  Flood  i  the  Great  Strgvrs^,   101 

CHAPTER  X. 

Bachelor  Propriktorb,   118 

CHAPTER  XT. 

Personal  NoticEg  or  rnB  riRar  Settlers  of  Waterbcrt  129 


.  ^  _  .  y  Google 


▼Ill 


COITTENTS. 


CHAFTKR  XTI. 

PeRSOSAL  NOTICKS  or  the  rtRST  SkTTLKIM,  COMTIKUKP.  16t 


rnAPTKR  XITT. 

EccLKSiASTiCAL  AyrAiRSt  Mb.  Fkck's  Mixibtrt,   202 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

EccLKaiASTiCAL  ArrAiRS :  Me.  Sopthmatd's  Mimstbt.  215 


CTTAPTF.R  XV. 

ScHOOLg,  284 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

PoppLATiow  nccBEASis:  Immiqkatiow.  248 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Thk  SrrTLitMENT  zxTTsm :  wew  Societies.   260 


CHAPTER  XVTTT. 

Mr.  Leatexworth's  Ministry:  the  third  Mektino  IIoraK.  288 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Episcopact  IX  Waterhcry,   292 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Chprch  Axn  State  ;  old  French  War,  816 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

BUTOLTmOXARY  HlSTORT  829 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

AFT«mraR  WaR!  VinmLAHwnrn  Ttemh,   gftl 


APPENDIX. 

I.  BlOQRAPHY   870 

II.  Gkwkaloot  458 

ni.  Later  EccLKSiAjiTicAL  SociKTiKs :  MAxrrACTURiKo :  SxATisTicg,   558 


! 


!g!i!zed  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


HISTOEY  OF  WATERBUEY. 


ClIAPTEJR  1. 

DISCOVERY  OF  THE  NAUGATi  rK  VALLEY;  PREFAKATIONS  FOR  A 

SETTLEMENT. 

MoBB  than  a  centniy  and  a  quarter  intervened  between  the 
diBcovery  of  America  and  the  settlement  by  Enropeans  of  any 
part  of  New  England.  In  1620,  a  small  band  of  English 
Puriiansy  one  hundred  and  one  in  number,  including  women 
and  children,  planted  themsdves  at  Plymouth,  on  the  eastern 
shore  of  Massachusetts.  For  a  long  time,  this  feeble  colony 
struggled  for  existence.  At  length,  howerer,  the  English  set- 
tlers became  firmly  established  at  Plymouth  and  the  Massa- 
chusetts  Bay.  In  the  course  of  the  years  16M  and  1685,  sev- 
eral parties  from  Watertown,  Dorchester  and  Kewtown,  (now 
Cambridge,)  in  the  neighborliood  of  Boston,  made  their  way 
through  the  wilderness  to  tlio  banks  of  thu  Connecticut  River, 
and  establislied  themselves  at  Wctlierstield,  Windsor  and 
Hartford.    Mr.  Hooker  and  his  congregation  of  aixty  pereons 

1 


Digi[i^oa  by  doo^lc 


2 


HI8T0KV  OF  WATERBUBT. 


came  from  Newtown  and  settled  in  Hartford.   Hiese  towns,  in 

their  early  iiitaiicy,  in  1637,  waged  a  successful  war  with  the 
Peqnot  Iiulians,  and  conquered  their  country.  Soon  after  tlie 
conclutiion  of  this  war,  or  in  liVAH,  a  small  colony  w  i'nt  from 
Boston,  and  settled  at  Xew  JIaven,  Milford  and  Guilford. 
From  HVM  to  1()75,  thirty-eight  years,  the  iiihahitants  of  Con- 
necticut, and  indeed  of  all  New  England,  enjoyed  almost  unin- 
terrupted peace.  During  this  period  of  com])arati  ve  quietness, 
the  settlements  in  Connecticut  were  extended  tli rough  the 
State,  from  north  to  south,  on  both  banks  of  the  Connecticut 
River,  and  from  east  to  west  in  all  the  towns  bordering  on  the 
aea-coafit.  In  1640,  the  people  of  Hartford  commenced  a  set- 
tlement at  Farmington,  being  the  first  made  in  Connecticut 
away  from  navigable  waters.  From  this  time  to  1673,  small 
beginnings  of  settlements  were  made  at  Norwich,  Derby, 
Wallingford,  Simsbury,  Woodbury  and  Plainfield.  Up  to 
the  last  named  date,  with  the  above  exceptions,  the  whole 
State,  as  now  constituted,  was  a  wilderness,  in  the  possession  of 
the  native  Indians.  It  is  believed,  however,  that  no  Indian 
settlement  existed,  at  the  time  of  its  discovery,  within  the 
limits  of  ancient  Waterbury.  The  nearest  wigwams  were  in 
Farmington,  Derby  and  Woodbnry,  where  native  tribes  exist- 
ed. The  territory  of  Waterbury  was  claimed  by  the  tribes 
of  the  two  former  towns.  It  was  used  as  a  hunting  ground. 
It  was  first  visited  by  white  men  in  the  pursuit  of  game. 

It  appeal's  that  as  early  as  1657,  some  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Farmington  had  become  acfjuainted  with  a  portion  of  the 
Nau<ratuck  Vallev,  and  obtained  from  some  of  the  native 
claimants,  belonging  to  theTunxisor  Farmington  tribe,  a  deed 
of  a  tract  of  lan<l  which  secured  to  tliemselves  certain  rights 
and  privileges  tlierein  menti()ned.  The  deed,  which  is  copied 
from  the  Farmington  record,  runs  as  follows : 

This  Witneiseth  that  Wee  Kepaquanip  and  Quprrinuis  and  Matauoage  hare 
gouhl  to  William  T^cwis  and  Samutdl  Stocic  of  flTarininfrton  A  psol!  or  A  trackt  of 
Land  called  niatctucoko  that  h  to  8uy  the  hill  from  whence  John  Btaiidlejr  and 
John  Andrews:  brought  the  black  lead  and  all  the  Land  within  eight:  mylle:  of 
that  hill:  on  every  side:  to  <Ug:  and  carry  away  what  they  will  and  To  build  on 
y*  for  >'«  VNe  of  thcra  that  I«abor  there:  and  not  otherwise  ToimproTo:  y* 
Land  In  witnes  whereof  wee:  hatre  hereunto  set  our  hands:  and  thoae:  Indi* 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


HISTOSY  OF  WATEBBDBT. 


3 


ana  above  nwotioBed  uraet  ft«e  the  perehtieni  from  til  Claymea:  hy  any  other 
Indyana: 


The  aboTo  deed  is  copied  into  ICr.  Woodruff's  sketch  of  the 
town  of  Litchfield,  published  in  1845.  Mr.  W.  makes  the  fol- 
lowing remarks :  ^  Precigely  where  the  hill  referred  to  in  this 
deed  was  situated,  I  have  been  unable  to  discover,  but  from 
the  subsequent  claims  of  tlie  grantees,  fi-oni  tradition,  and  from 
the  deed  itself,  it  would  seem  that  it  was  in  the  scmtlieni  part 
of  Uarwintoii,  and  embraced  tliat  town,  and  also  some  portion 
of  Plymouth  (then  Mattatuck  or  Waterbury)  and  Litchtield. 
This  purchase  was  made  by  tlie  grantees  in  behalf  of  them- 
selves and  a  company  com[)Osed  of  certain  inhabitants  of 
Farmiugton.*"  It  doubtless  proved  valueless  for  the  purposes 
for  which  it  wjus  obtained,  as  we  hear  uotliiug  further  concern- 
ing the  black  lead. 

Another  deed,  bearing  date  the  llth  day  of  August,  1718, 
from  Petthuzso  and  Toxcrunuck,  successors  of  the  grantoi-s, 
conveyed  to  the  Farmington  people  the  whole  title  to  the 
above  lands.  The  two  deeds  were  tlie  ground  of  a  claim  on 
the  part  of  the  grantees  to  the  lands  described ;  but  it  was 
truly  said  that  the  territoiy  north  of  "VVaterbury  and  west  of 
Farmington  had  beenconyeyed  by  the  Colony  in  Jan.,  1686,  to 


Witnes  John  Stcil 


WtLLIAH  Lewis 

Samvkl  Stbiu 


lebuarj:  y«  8'^  1667 


DigUizoa  by  CoOglc 


4 


HISTO&Y  OF  WATEBBUBY 


the  towns  of  Hartford  and  Wiiidbor.  lieBidcs,  there  seems  to 
have  been  a  colonial  Btatute  in  operation,  in  1718,  and  prcvi- 
ourI}',  declaring  tliat  "  no  person  or  j)eri>ons  in  this  colony, 
wliether  inliabitants  or  not,  shall  biiv,  hire  or  ri'ceive  a  gift,  or 
mortgage  any  parcel  of  Land  or  Lands,  of  any  Indian  or  Indi- 
ans for  the  future,  except  he  or  they  do  buy  or  receive  the 
same  for  tlu;  um  of  the  Colony,  or  for  some  plantation  or  vil- 
lage, or  witli  the  allowance  of  tlie  General  Court  of  this  Col* 
ony."  Nevcrthelesd,  the  Farmington  company,  in  1718,  re- 
ceived from  the  towns  of  Hartford  and  Windsor  a  grant  of 
one  sixth  of  the  township  of  Litchfield,  in  consideration  of  their 
making  over  to  Mid  towns  their  interest  in  the  disputed  terri- 
tory. 

In  process  of  time^  certain  hunters  or  explorers  from  Farm- 
ington,  in  their  excnrsions  into  the  western  forests^  discovered 
the  flats  or  interval  on  the  Nangatnek  River,  where  the  city 
of  Waterbnry  now  stands.  They  told  their  friends  what  they 
had  seen.  1^  favorable  was  their  report,  and  sach  the  disposi- 
tion of  the  early  settlers  to  push  ont  fhrther  into  the  forest, 
that  they  began  at  once  to  think  of  emigration.  Bnt  at  that 
period,  according  to  the  laws  of  the  Colony,  no  person  oonld 
acquire  a  title  to  Indian  lands,  or  make  a  settlement  npon  them 
without  the  permission  of  the  General  Court  Having  there- 
fore sent  out  from  among  themselves  a  committee  to  view  the 
place  for  anew  plantation,  and  obtained  from  them  a  favorable 
rei)ort,  the  Farmington  people  petitioned  the  "  honered  gen- 
eral court "  for  liberty  to  make  a  settlement.  Tliis  was  in  the 
fall  of  1C73.  The  following  is  tlie  petition  referred  to,  preced- 
ed by  the  report  of  the  committee  spoken  of: — 

Wc  whoa  names  arc  hero  nndcr  writcn  partly  for  our  own  sati'^fiution  and 
for  tlie  satbifaction  of  fiomc  oihers  haue  >>ene  too  uieu  matiUvoocke  in  re^rauA 
to  a  pUatatioo  doo  Judge  it  capable  of  the  ^ante. 

thomas  ncwcU  Sean' 

John  wwner  Sean' 

Richard  Bemar 

Octtober:  theS:  1S78 

Octob'  9,  78 

To  the  honerd  genenll  court  now  siting  In  Hartford 
Honered  gentlemen  and  fathers  we  being  senrfbleof  oiir  great  need  of  a  comfort* 
able  Bttbrietoaee  doe  hereby  make  our  addreai  to  your  selft  In  order  to  the  Sane 


Digi[i<ioa  by  CjOO^Ic 


HWnWT  OF  WAXBBBUBT.  0 

Not  QuestioniDg  your  care  and  fkithfulcesM  In  y*  premisses:  allso  hoping  of  your 
iVeeness  and  readyne«  to  ■coomidate  your  poor  suplicaata  with  vfaidi  va 
Judge  to  be:  In  jonr  handa:  acording  to  an  orderly  prooeeding  we  tharafiwe 
whoae  aainea  are  hereafter  Inierted  to  humbly  petitiom  your  honon  to  tako  oog> 
nicancc:  of  our  Ktat«  who  want  Land  to  Labor  vpon:  for  our  subsistance  k  now 
hauin^  found  out  a  tnu-k  at  n  place  called  by  n**  Indians  matitacoockc*  which  we 
apriheud  mar  su.«fetientiy  acomidatc  to  make  a  small  plantation :  wc  arc  Uierefore 
bould  hereby  to  pctotion  your  honors  to  grant  Ts  y*  liberty  of  planting  y*  same 
with  aa  many  others  aa  y*  may  be:  capable  comfbrtably  to  entertidii  and  aa  for  the 
purchasing  of  y*  oatirea  with  your  alowance  we  ahall  take  care  of :  ft  ao  not  to 
trouble  with  father  Inlargomcnt.4  •  •  •  *  only  dedrdng  yovT  dne  eomddenrtion 
A  a  return  by  our  Louing  ffreand  John  Lankton 

Thomas  Xewdl  DanieO  waaer 

John  Lankton  ahraham  andrcwa 

•John  andrews  Thomas  haucux 

John  Warner  scineo*'  John  Carrington 

DanieU  porter  DanMl  andrewa 

Edmnnd  aeott  Joaoph  hafifif?r 

John  Standly  Junior  Thomas  standly 

Abraham  brounsott  Obadiub  riohards 

Richard  semer  Timothy  stan<lly 

John  waner  Junior  willlam  higgeiuion 

laaek  broonaon  John  porter 

Samodl  haooz  Thomaa  bamoa 

John  welton  John  Woodruff 

[State  Beeorda— Towoa  and  Landi»  YoL  I,  p.  162.] 
Here  is  the  action  npon  this  petition : 

OeL  im 

In  aaawer  to  Hm  petUlon  of  Seneral  9t  die  InhaUtanta  of  the  Town  pi  Farm- 
ingtonthat  Ihttatock  that  tboae  landa  might  granted  for  a  idantation.  Thia 
Court  baue  Seen  cause  to  order  that  those  lands  may  be  viewed  sometinM  between 

this  and  thv  Court  in  m«y  next  and  that  report<»  be  made  to  the  Tourt  in  may 
uoxt  wlu-thcr  it  bo  Ju(l;;o<l  htt  to  iiuike  a  plantation.  The  committee  appointed 
arc  Lnt:  Tho:  Bull,  Lnt:  liob*  webhtir  und  Dauid  pratt. 

[Kicho1aj<  01nu<te<l  was  afterwards  substituted  for  Daniel  Pratt,  as  a  member  of 
the  Committee.] 

April «,  9,  8,  9, 1674. 

We  whoae  namea  are  underwritten  (aeoording  to  the  desire  and  appointment  of 

honoured  court)  haue  ueiewed  y*  lands  upon  Mattatuck  riuer  in  order  to  a 
plantation,  wo  do  approlioiid  that  there  i«  about  six  hundred  acres  of  meadow  k 
plowing  land  lying  uu  Viuth  8idesof  y*  riuer  besides  upland  conuenient  for  a  townc 
plot,  with  a  suitable  out  let  into  j*  woods  on  y«  west  of  y*  riuer,  and  good  feed* 
ing  landa  for  cattelL 


DigUizoa  by  CoOglc 


6 


HI8T0RT  OF  WATEBUnBT. 


The  iiieuduw  &  plowing  land  above  written  a  con8i(leral)le  part  of  it  lyeth  in  two 
prices  nMUP  y*  town  plot,  j*  mt  ia  nnaUer  pMceb,  y*  ihrtbeet  of  which  we 
indge  wA  alNHW  fewer  miles  from  y*  towne  plot;  and  our  ^tprehensloiis  sre  that 
it  msj  sceommodAte  thirtj  fiunnjes 

Thoxas  Bvu. 

NiOHO:  Ol.MSTKAD 
ROBKRT  WEUST>.R 

The  "  two  pieces  near  y'  town  plot "  alluded  in  the  above 
report,  are  probably  tlie  level  river  lands  on  the  east  side  of 
the  river  afterwards  called  Manban,  or  Mahan,  Meadow,  near 
which  a  final  eettlement  was  afterwards  made,  and  the  tract  of 
meadow  on  the  west  side  of  the  river  near  the  month  of  Steers 
Brook.  The  most  distant  piece  not  above  fewer  miles was 
most  likely  the  tract  which  at  a  later  period  was  called  Jndd^s 
meadow,  now  u  part  of  Nangatnck.  These  natural  meadows 
were  looked  upon  with  much  favor  by  the  early  settlers,  and 
were  regarded  not  only  as  convenient  but  necessary  to  the  ex- 
istence of  a  new  plantation.  On  them  they  depended  for  fod- 
der for  their  "  cattell  during  the  long  and  severe  winters. 
Artificial  meadows  are  prepared  with  ditiiciilty  and  require 
much  toil  and  time.  Hiey  absorb  capital,  and  appeal*  only  in 
tlie  more  advanced  stages  of  society. 

The  fore^^oing  report  of  the  committee  sliowetl  the  reason- 
ableness of  the  request  of  the  "supplicants."  Tlie  i)etition 
was  granted,  ''and  tlic  Court  apimiuted  Major  John  Talcott, 
^  Lieut,  Kohert  Webster,  Lieut.  Nicholas  ( )lnistead.  Ens.  San)uel 
Steel,  Ensign  John  Wadsworth,  a  coniniittee  to  regulate  and 
order  the  settling  of  a  plantation  at  Mattatuck."  This  com- 
mittee was  composed  of  men  of  note,  who  bore  honorable 
names,  well  known  in  the  history  of  the  Colony.  Their  titles 
attest  the  high  consideration  wi^  whicli  they  were  regarded. 

Maj<Hr  Talcott  of  £[ai*tford  was  one  of  his  majesty's  justicea 
of  the  peace,  and  assistant  from  1662  to  1688,  and  treasurer 
of  the  Colony  for  nineteen  years.  He  was  distingnished  for 
his  gallantry  and  success  in  King  Philip's  war,  in  1676.  He 
commanded  a  body  of  five  hundred  and  fifty  English  and 
Mohegans  in  several  successM  expeditions  in  that  year.  He 
died,  leaving  children,  July  28d,  1688.  The  inventory  of  his 
estate  amounted  to  £2,272. 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


UISTOSY  OF  WATS&BDSY 


7 


Lieut.  Webster  of  Middletown  and  I  Iarti'«^d  was  a  son  of 
Gov.  John  Webster,  and  niarriud  a  ^jjetfer  of  Gov.  Treat,  by 
wlioni  lie  liad  many  s<tns  and  daiigbtei*B.  Tie  was  a  res])eeta- 
ble  man,  thoiigli  not  dibtingiiished  like  his  fatluT.  He  died  in 
1676,  making  his  widow,  Susannah,  executrix  i>f  his  will.  His 
eon  Jonathan  married  a  sister  of  Jolm  Hopkins,  au  early  settler 
of  Mattatuck. 

Lieut.  Olmstead  of  Hartford  was  a  son  of  James  Olmstead, 
(who  died  iu  1640,)  and  married  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Loomis 
of  Windsor.  lie  was  a  Pequot  soldier  and  apparantly  a  wild 
youth.  In  1640,  for  his  moral  delinquencies,  he  was  "ad- 
judged*' by  "the  T'ticular  Court"  "to  pay  twenty  pownd  fyne 
to  Sie  country  and  to  stand  vppon  the  Pillery  at  Hartford 
the  next  lecture  day,  during  the  time  of  the  lecture.  He  ib  to 
be  sett  on,  a  lytle  before  tlie  beginning  and  to  stay  thereon  a 
litle  after  the  end."  He  was  a  deputy  in  1672,  and  in  active 
service,  as  a  lieutenant,  in  King  Philip's  war.  He  died  in 
1684,  and  was  the  father  of  several  sons  and  daughters. 

Ens.  Samuel  Steele  was  tlie  son  of  John  Steele,  an  early 
settler  of  Hartford  and  a  pronunent  man.  He  was  bom  in  1626, 
and,  together  withhisfather,  removed  to  Farmington  at  an  early 
date,  and  became  one  of  the  original  settlers  of  that  town.  lie 
married  Mary  Boosy  and  had  many  children;  ]Mary,  Kachel, 
iSarali,  Samuel,  Jolm,  Benoni,  James,  Hannah,  Kbenezer.  In 
May,  lOOS.*,  he  was  a  (K  jaity  t«»  the  General  Court  in  Hartford  ; 
and  in  1674,  was  aj)}>roved  as  lieutenant  of  the  Farmington 
**Traine  l)and.''  Late  in  life,  he  removed  to  AVethersfield,  and 
died  in  l^ISf).  He  appears  to  have  been  a  respectable  but  not 
a  distinguished  num.  As  a  member  of  tlie  committee,  he  was 
one  of  the  most  active,  and  Mas  connected  bv  nuirriai'e  with 
some  of  the  leading  planters  of  Mattatuck.  His  sister  Mary 
married  Serg.  AViiliam  Judd,and  his  sister  Sarah,  Lieut.  Tlionnis 
Judd ;  while  his  brother  John  married  a  sister  of  the  Judds. 
He  is  the  only  one  of  the  committee  who  has  left  liis  name  in 
the  territory  he  assisted  to  plant,  and  connected  it  indissolubly 
with  its  physical  features.  Steers  Brook  and  the  tracts  of  land 
upon  its  borders,  Steel's  Meadow  and  SteeFs  Plain,  will  pre- 
serve the  memory  of  Samuel  Steele. 


DigUizoa  by  CoOglc 


8 


mSTOBT  OP  WATBB8UBY. 


EiiHiVii  John  Wadsworth  of  FarmiDgton,  was  a  son  of  "Wil- 
liam Wadswortli  of  Hartford,  and  brother,  I  belieye,  of  the 
famons  Captain  Joseph  Wadsworth,  of  charter-oak  memory. 
He  was  an  assistant  from  1679  to  his  death  in  1689.  Some  of 
his  descendants  have  been  distipgnished. 

The  bnsinessof  this  committee  was  "  to  regulate  and  order," 
in  the  language  of  the  record,  the  affairs  of  the  plantation ;  to 
make  rules  for  the  planters  and  prescribe  the  conditions  of  set- 
tlement;  to  select  a  site  for  the  town ;  to  lay  out  the  house  lots 
and  to  dispose  of  them  and  of  the  other  lands,  so  far  as  expe- 
dient, by  grant ;  to  direct  concerning  highways  and  fences ;  to 
consult  with  the  peoj)le,  and  to  watch  over  tlieir  best  interests. 
They  were  expected  to  see  to  it  that  education,  virtue  and  re- 
ligion were  properly  cared  for  in  the  infancy  of  the  settlement, 
and  to  act  with  authority^  when  the  emergency  and  the 
common  weal  required  it.  They  were  selected  as  the  tem- 
porary guardians  and  the  fathei"s  of  the  jdantation,  with  all 
the  power  usually  exercised  by  the  town  authorities.  In  fact, 
they  were  to  found  a  town  ;  to  organize  it,  and  to  siij)ply  it 
with  locomotive  force,  until  it  got  legs  of  its  own.  This  done, 
their  duties  were  ended,  and  their  trust  could  be  resigned. 

Tlio  assembly's  committee,  (called  on  the  town  records 
the  Grand  CSommittee,)  thus  constituted,  in  pursuance  of  their 
duties,  drew  up  the  following  Articles  of  Association  and 
AoBEEifENT,  which  the  proposed  settlers  signed : — 

Articles  agrcd  rpon  and  concluded  by  us  whos  names  are  rnder  writen  the 
Comity  for  settliDg  a  pkntation  att  mattatucke  m  foOoweth  thai 

1  Buiij  oii[e]  that  is  ezeeptad  for  an  Inhabitant  at  matatneke  shall  haT«  eight 
aerM  for  a  hoiia  lott 

2  We  agre  that  the  distribution  of  medow  shall  be  proportioned  to  each 
person  Acording  to  estats  [propriety]  noe  person  excedin{»  a  hiindn'd  pound  alot 
ment  except  too  or  thre  alutuivuts  which  we  the  Comite  shall  lay  out  acording  to 
oar  best  discrestion 

S  Also  wee  agree  that  all  taxes  and  Batta  thatshaDbeleujedfor  defrajbgpnb- 
Hek  diarges  shall  be  payed  proportion  ably  acording  to  their  medow  alotroenta  and 
this  arfi( !('  to  Stand  in  full  fore  and  vertue  fine  vpiirs  next  folowing  the  datt  here- 
of and  uflcr  the  ond  and  expiration  of  fiiu-  vers  all  Rivtts  for  defrayinfj  publike 
charges  shall  be  Icuycd  and  raised  upon  |>er8on8  and  estats  acording  to  the  law  or 
custom  of  the  coutry 

4  We  delemdn  that  ever}-  parson  that  tacks  up  alotments  att  mattatncke  within 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


H18IOBT  OF  WATBBB17BT. 


9 


four  jer  after  the  dalt  hereof  shall  build  agoud  .subatau  Anill  DweUIng  house  [at 
lewt  eighteen  feet  in  length  and  sixteen  feet  wide  and]*  niuo  foot  between  joynta 
with  a  good  chinl  J  Id  the  foraidd  place. 
6  Ittiaagredineaseany  panon  shall  faile of  building  as  aforaaid:  ad welinghonae 

upon  his  lott  as  is  ininyn«Ml  witfiiii  the  4th  article  witliin  the  torme  of  four  vers 
after  the  date  horof  shall  lorfit  all  his  alotnietitH  att  niatfatuckc  and  loMe  nil  liis 
right  and  title  therein  buildings  only  Excepted  tu  be  di.4  posed  to  such:  other 
meet  panwoa  for  im  prone  meat  aa  shall  be  excepted  bjr  the  Comitj  acording  to 
the  conditions  of  these  Articles 

•  And  itt  Is  also  agreed  that  euorj  one  to  whom  alotment/*  are  granted  shall  par* 
Boniy  tack  up  his  re^cdenc  as  an  in  habitant  att  mattatuck  in  his  own  hniiHc  within 
the  tenn  of  four  yeres  after  the  date  hereof  and  upon  failler  or  defalto  hhall  forfift 
his  lands  and  alottments  att  utattatuck  to  be  improued  as  aforsaid  by  the  comite 

1  Itt  is  further  coucludcd  that  Every  parson  that  shall  be  posesed  of  lauds  att  the 
said  mattatock  diaU  Inhabit  and  dwell  ther  In  his  own  Hoose  for  the  time  and 
term  of  four  jers  after  he  hath  built  acording  to  the  TenV  and  true  meaning  of 
the  fourth  Article  and  untill  the  said  fmire  yers  be  ended  no  parson  shall  base 
pouer  to  mack  any  aly nation  or  sale  of  the  afor  said  lands  of  wliat  he  or  they  aro 
posciied  of 

8  Finaly  itt  is  determined  that  all  those  parsons  to  whom  alottments  Are  granted 
(bj  vs  tho  comity)  shall  be  l^p^^ed  to  tin  forgofaig  Artieles  by  a  svbserlptlon  of 
thdr  names  or  marcks 

And  for  a  full  continuation  of  the  forgoing  articles  wee  the  coniitie  haue  this 
thir  tyeth  of  may  in  the  yere  one  thousand  six  hundred  seuenty  andfoun  sub- 

scribed  our  names 


We  wlios  nnines  are  under  writsn  doe  Igag  a 

faithful  siibniission  to  and  performance  of  the 
forgoing  articles  as  wittness  our  hands  this  sixt 
of  June  in  the  yer  1674 


John  Talcott 
Robert  webstcr 
Nicholas  Olmsted 
Samnel  steel 
John  wadsworth 


John  Langhlon 

100 

Thomas  Bankox 

100 

John  Andres 

100 

William  Jndd 

100 

Thomas  Juddl  Ju» 

100 

John  Warner  Jnn 

90 

Edniun  Scoot 

100 

Thomas  Richarson 

60 

John  wilton 

080 

William  Higason 

70 

Abraham  Andrus 

080 

John  ('ariii'r(<iii 

060 

Isaac  Brunson 

090 

Obadiuh  Richards 

060 

John  Stanly  Jn^ 

100 

Thomas  Newell  [for]  son 

100 

Samuell  hieok 

085 

Sargt  John  Stanlj  for  son 

98 

Ri>  hard  Seamof 

100 

Danld  Warner 

60 

Abraham  Flrounf»on 

080 

John  Warner  sen 

100 

Isaac  brniinsoniogagethforhfan 

John  Jndd 

100 

John  Porter 

«>80 

Joseph  Uecoks 

080 

*  Tlw  daase  In 
bavesappUedllM 


Is  presumed  to  hare  been  Uiadverteotljr  left  out  ia  the  record.  1 
ftoa  ether  eoptos. 


Digitizoa  by  CoOglC 


10 


UI6TOKY  OF  WATEKBUKT. 


Joh  broDflon  Ju' 
ThonuB  Oridly 
DaoUl  Porter  for  son 


080      ThoBQM  Jnd  8000*  for  hit 
080        son  Sam^i 
090      S*mi>  GricUy  90,  \ 


^  080 
th  newell* 


Sooa  after  the  signing  of  die  articles  of  settlement,  a  new 
and  more  thoroagh  exploration  of  the  country  was  made,  with 
a  view  of  finding  ont  its  capabilities  and  deciding  on  a  place 
for  the  center  of  the  town.  In  the  meantime,  howeyer,  the 
committee  took  the  precaution  to  extinguish  any  title  to  the 
land  which  was  in  the  native  or  Indian  proprietors.  "  Per 
order  and  in  tlie  name  and  behalf  of  the  Genaral  Court  of 
Connecticnt  in  Kew  England,"  they  purchased  of  certain  In- 
dians, eleven  in  number,  living  in  Famiington  and  belonging 
to  the  Tniixis  tribe,  (iiiid  tuck  to  tlienisolves  a  deod  of  the 
same,)  a  certain  tract  of  land  at  ^lattatiick,  lying  on  l)otli 
sides  of  the  Naugatuck  River,  ten  miles  in  length  from  north 
to  soutli,  and  six  miles  in  breadth  fnmi  east  to  west,  but- 
ting east  on  Farmington  bounds,  south  tm  Pegasset,  (Derby,) 
west  on  Pe<rasset,  Pomperaug,  (Woodbury,)  and  Potatuck, 
(Southbury,)  and  north  on  the  wilderness.  The  consideration 
was  thirty-eiglit  pounds  in  hand,  and  divers  good  eauses," 
and  the  deed  bore  date  Aug.  21st,  1074.  It  may  be  found  in 
the  second  volume  of  the  AVaterbury  Land  Kecords,  i)age  224, 
and  is  signed  (by  marks)  by  Caraachaquo,  James,  Putteko, 
Atumtacko,  Alwaash,  Spinning  Squaw,  Kosalieagon,  John 
Compound,  Qucramousk,  Chere,  Auj)kt.  The  witnesses  are 
Samuel  Willis,  Benjamin  Fenn  and  Philip  Lewis. 

During  the  same  season,  a  site  was  selected  for  tlie  contem- 
plated village.  It  was  the  elevated  ground  on  the  west  side 
the  river,  which,  from  this  circumstance,  has  ever  since  been 
known  by  the  name  of  Old  Town  Plat,  or  Town  Plot  It 
was  airy  and  showy  ground,  overlooking  the  alluvial  lands 
upon  the  river.  Here,  three  quarters  of  a  mile  west  of  the 

*  TtiOTOM  Newell,  Jr.,  wm  AfterwArd*  aotoUtatcd  for  Swnuel  Orldley,  aad  tlMOune  if  plMed 
here  Id  the  origloal. 

TM*  (lacument  \a  Uken  from  the  second  volume  of  the  Wnterbary  Laad  Record*,  pafres  221 
and  223.  It  i<  in  the  hand  of  John  8t«al/,  copied  profeaeedljr  from  the  original  hjr  direction  of 
the  proprl«torii,  (in  UI7,)  after  he  renoTtd  tmm  WfttertHtry,  Md  eerttlled  hj  John  Judd,  then 
the  town  clerk.  There  are  several  copies  of  Ihll  pftper  to  be  foaod  in  the  early  volumes  of  lb« 
Town  and  Proprietor'*  Records,  differing  from  one  another  in  sereral  (for  the  moat  part)  unim- 
portant particttlare.  I  bare  eelected  that  which  wae  falleat  and  seemlnglj  most  complete  and 
ftnlhwitls. 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


HI0TOBT  <nr  WATBBBUBT. 


11 


present  citf,  the  roads  were  laid  out,  tlic  one  rimning north  and 
Boath,  sixteen  rods  wide.*  This  was  cut  in  the  middle,  by  an 
east  and  west  road,  running  down  towards  the  river,  south  of 
Sled  Hall  Brook,  eight  rods  wide.  There  was  another  cross- 
road at  the  south  end,  i)robably  near  the  present  highway  over 
the  hill  from  the  sontli  bridge.  The  home  lots,  eight  acres  in 
each,  according  to  the  articles  of  settlement,  were  ranged 
along  the  north  and  south  street,  thirty-two  in  nnmber,  sixteen 
on  each  side,  the  east  and  west  road  already  referred  to,  divid- 
ing each  '*teer"  In  the  middle,  leaving  eight  lots  on  either 
hand. 

So  much  was  done  in  the  summer  and  fall  of  1674,  towards 
the  settlement  of  Mattatuck,  but  it  does  not  a]>pear  that  any 
dwellings  were  erected.  Forsome  cause,  not  fully  understood, 

the  progress  of  the  enterprise  was  suspended  at  this  point. 

Perhaps  the  country,  on  a  closer  examination,  did  not  prove  so 
attractive  as  it  had  bci-n  re])resi'nted-  In  tlic  following  year, 
however,  tlierc  were  new  and  nhvions  reasons  for  not  pushing 
forwani  the  enterprise.  A  iimre  serious  and  pressing  hu&iness 
presented  itself,  denuiiuling  attention. 

Early  in  tlie  summer  of  1GT5,  the  great  Indian  AVar  of  New 
England,  commonly  called  King  Philip's  War,  broke  out. 
Connecticut,  though  not  itself  attacked,  entered  with  spirit 
into  the  strujrjrie.  Iler  sons  left  their  husbandry  and  followed 
Treat  and  Talcott  to  the  scene  of  danger.  All  thoughts  of  new 
settlements  were  abandoned  and  many  of  those  recently  com- 
menced were  broken  up.  For  the  present,  the  i)olicy  of  the 
colonies  was  toconeentratetliemselves  that  their  defense  niiglit 
be  less  difficult.  It  was  a  fierce  and  bloody  war,  in  which 
the  parties  aimed  at  extermination.  It  was  more  destructive 
to  the  lives,  property  and  immediate  prospects  of  tlie  country, 
than  any  which  has  taken  place  since.  The  whole  weight  of 
it  fell  upon  !New  England,  then  containing  about  forty  thou- 


•  Afterward*,  or  JaDuary  la,  1611,  old  •tyle,  when  a  new  lite  bad  been  •elected  and  approred 
for  tiM  te«Btfb«««BHBltte«pMMd  a  mv  enter  fnpeetlDg  tbtoreadt  m  faUem  :—'*w*  order  ih« 

lilfliway  of  Mxtfcn  rwli  wiile  tdat  I«  already  lljMl  out  north  and  aouth  through  \hv  oM  t^wn 
plait  to  be  butt  two  rod*  wide  and  grant  that  Um  propriatom  of  edb  tide  the  laid  highway  to 
bott  opoB  Iho  Btw  hli^waj  for  oalargcuMot  of  thdr  loli  proponkHMllT.'* 


DigUizoa  by  CoOglc 


12 


III8T0BT  OF  WATEBBUXT. 


sand  people,  (Connectieiit  perlia})s  ten  thousand,)  widely  dis- 
persed in  small  settlements,  and  destitute  of  almost  everything 
but  stout  Iiearts  and  a  trust  in  Heaven.  It  was  brought  to  a 
successful  teruiiuatiuu,  without  any  assistance  from  the  mother 
country,  or  tlie  neighboring  colonies,  in  the  latter  part  of  1676, 
by  the  death  of  King  Pliilip,  au  able,  and,  in  many  respects,  a 
wise  chief. 

Who  among  those  who  Bubaequently  became  the  phinters  of 
Mattatuck  were  personally  engaged  in  the  war  against  King 
Philip  and  his  confederates,  I  am  unable  to  say.  I  find, 
however,  the  following: 

A  niMling  of  the  Coandll  in  Bartford  Dec.  6,  1679. 

The  CkMincill  f;ranted  John  Brungon  of  Fknnington  the  same  of  fine  pounds, 
MB  a  rcparntiun  for  his  wounds  and  danm;;c  rec**.  thereby,  and  quarteridg  Mid  half 
pay  to  the  first  of  this  preiicnt  nioneth.    [CoL  Rec.  II,  p.  488.] 

Tlierc  were,  at  this  time,  three  persons  bearing  the  name  of 
John  Bronson  living  in  Farmington,  John,  John  the  son  of 
John,  and  John,  Jr.,  the  son  of  Richard.  Probably  the  ex- 
tract refers  to  John,  tlie  son  of  John,  who  went  to  Waterbury, 
and  the  reward  was  for  injuries  received  in  the  war  just  closed. 
His  father,  though  an  old  Pe^uot  soldier,  was  now  doubtlesa 
too  old  for  active  service. 


CHAPTER  IL 

THE  SETTLEMBNT  BEGUN:  TOWN  CENTER. 

In  the  spring  of  1677,  the  tranquillity  of  the  colony  being 
secured,  the  Farmington  people  began  once  more  to  think  of 
making  a  settlement  at  Mattatuck.  They  were,  however,  dis- 
satisfied with  the  place  selected  for  a  village  site.  Though 
attractive  from  its  sightliness  and  probable  healthfulness,  a 
closer  examination  brought  to  light  disadvantages  and  objeo- 


Digi[i<ioa  by  CjOO^Ic 


hutobt  or  watebbubt. 


18 


tions  of  a  decisive  character.  The  many  hroad  acres  wliich  it 
allowed  for  each  man^s  home  lot  were  hardly  a  recompense  for 
its  rockj  surface  and  moderate  productiveness.  It  was  of  diffi- 
cult access  from  the  east  It  could  be  readied  from  the  river 
lands  (from  which,  in  an  im])ortaQt  degree,  subsistence  was 
expected  to  be  drawn)  only  hy  a  long  and  steep  ascent.  Be- 
sides, a  settlement  npon  the  west  side  of  the  river  would  be  * 
liable,  from  the  freqnent  floods  which  covered  the  flats,  to  have 
its  communication  with  Farmington  cut  off.  For  the  present) 
Farmington  alone  would  connect  the  people  with  the  civili- 
zation of  the  day,  whence,  for  a  time,  must  be  obtained  many 
of  the  necessities  and  all  the  comforts  of  life.  There  lived 
their  friends,  and  there  they  would  look  for  refuge,  or  succor, 
in  case  of  a  hostile  attack  from  the  Indians.  There,  too,  for  a 
time,  they  must  resort  for  the  regular  ministrations  and  ordi- 
nances of  the  Gospel. 

In  pursuance  of  a  plan  entertained  by  those  most  interested 
of  changing  the  town  center,  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  was 
held  and  a  committee  appointed  "  to  vcw  and  consider  wliether 
It  will  not  bo  for  the  bcncHt,"  tfcc.  This  i.s  the  lirst  meeting  of 
the  ancient  proprietors  of  Waterbury,  of  which  we  have  any 
account.  I  infer,  from  the  date,  that  it  was  lu-ld  in  rarniing- 
ton,  though  the  place  is  not  mentioned.  The  vote  }>assed  at 
this  meeting  is  recorded,  and  the  record  seems  to  be  oi  iginal. 
It  is  the  oldest,  by  several  years,  of  the  AVuteibury  Kecords. 
The  recorder  is,  apj)arently,  the  "  John  Stan<lly,  Jr.,''  who  sub- 
scribed the  articles  of  settlenient,  though  his  name  does  not 
appear — the  same  pers(m  who  subsequently,  f<>r  immy  years, 
is  known  as  the  clerk  of  the  proprietors  and  the  town.  The 
vote  is  written  in  a  business-like  hand,  somewhat  brisker  than 
that  which  characterized  the  clerk's  performances  at  a  later  day. 
The  record  book  is  an  old,  dingy  manuscript,  of  foolscap  size, 
which  I  dug  out  of  a  mass  of  foigottcn  nibbish,  found  in  a 
private  family.  The  sheets  are  sowed  through  and  through, 
in  the  middle,  by  a  cord  of  unnecessary  strength,  and  the 
whole  is  covered  by  coarse,  brown  paper  turned  over  at  the 
edge,  with  a  broad  margin  and  made  fast  with  a  thread. 
Many  leaves  are  gone  at  the  beginning  and  end,  and  those 


DigUizea  by  CoOgle 


14 


HUTOBT  OF  WATXBBUBT. 


which  are  left,  are  rent  and  broken  and  exceedingly  brittle 
when  handled.  Fifty  four  pages  only  remain.  Tliis  is  the 
first  original  Proprietor's  Book,  now  in  existence.  Much  of 
its  contents  has  been  copied,  hj  suceeseiTc  clerks,  into  more 
recent  books.  Tlie  same  has  been  done  with  the  other  earliest 
records,  and  the  originals  afterwards  scattered  and  lost 
Care  has  been  taken  by  transcribing  to  preserve  the  evidences 
of  property,  particularly  land  titles ;  but  other  matters  have 
been  regarded  as  of  little  account 

The  following  is  the  vote  referred  to  in  the  preceding  para- 
graph 

At  a  infttinf;  held  by  th<>  prnjirietors  t»f  jiiattatucke  may  the  twenty  fir^t,  ir»77, 
upon  I'urder  CouBiduratioa  of  some  difucuUy  that  doth  ateude  thorn  i<4.>tmg  the  towne 
whue  It  is  now  Udd  out  theay  inad«  diois  of  deacon  Jadd,  John  Langhton  waF 
John  uidnia  mhw'  goodmnn  Rote  nnd  John  Jndd  and  dandl  porter  m  a  comite 
to  vew  k  Condder  whether  It  will  not  be  more  for  the  benefit  of  the  propriators 
In  (ftMieral:  to  pet  the  towne  on  this  east  side  of  the  River  cnntentiiifr  tlu  iiHt'lffs 
with  les  hoin  h)ts  prouideci:  those  formerly  laide  out  lie  secund  lo  iheni:  prouided 
aUo  tiicy  thinke  ii  concliido  It  no  to  be  to  aduis  with  the  gruiide  Comite  aud  in 
conjuncticm  with  them  they  jiue  with  liberty  so  so  doe  we  the  proprietota  agre  to 
act  Acordingly  not  withstanding  what  Is  alredy  done. 

As  the  result  of  these  iiioveinents.  favored  hy  the  reason- 
ahleiiess  of  the  thing  itself,  tlie  Court's  corninittee  changed 
the  town  center  to  the  place  where  it  now  is,  the  })lanter8 
"contenting  theniselfes  with  leshonie  lots."  The  latter  geeni- 
ed  disposed  to  settle  as  near  as  possible  to  the  lands  from  which 
they  expected  to  draw  their  chief  sustenance.  In  consequence 
of  this  anxiety,  they  jeoparded  health  to  some  extent.  They 
erected  their  dwellings,  in  many  instancee,  npon  ground  which 
was  M  li  illy  unfit  for  building  purposes.  Just  at  tlie  center  of 
the  village,  the  land  was  low  and  wet,  and  in  some  instuTu  es, 
marshy,  and  covered  with  standing  water.  Even  within  the 
writers's  memory,  the  road  was  made  solid  hy  logs,  laid  in 
"corduroy"  faiiiion,  and  cows  that  got  off  the  traveled  path 
sunk  deep  and  helplessly  in  the  yielding  mire.  As  the  conse- 
quence of  its  low  situation,  the  ancient  town  was  often  envel- 
oped in  fogs,  as  the  young  city  now  is.  A  part  of  the  sickness 
and  mortality  among  the  early  planters,  may,  perhaps,  be  attrib- 
uted to  damp  dwellings  and  an  unhealthy  locality.  Against 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


U18T0BY  OP  WATEBBUBT. 


15 


the  evilti  of  these,  they  coiiUl  provide  but  a  slight  defense,  on 
account  of  tlieir  Btraitened  eircuinstances. 

Our  fatliers,  lookinii:  to  aijriculturo  fur  siij^port,  did  iutt  sek'ct 
the  most  eligible  part  of  the  Naugutuck  VaUey  for  a  settU'inent. 
Indeed  thev  could  hardlv  liave  fared  worse,  within  tlie  limits 
of  tlieii-  future  township.  Had  they  gone  uj)  or  down  the  river, 
and  jilunted  themselves  in  what  is  now  Plymouth,  or  Nauga- 
tnck,  they  would  have  found  better  land,  and  have  been 
in  the  former  case  no  farther  removed  from  their  friends  in 
Farmington.  It  is  true,  they  would  not  have  had,  perhaps,  as 
liberal  a  supply  of  meadow  laads,  ready  cleared  and  prepared 
for  tillage;  but  these  proved, in  the  end,  an  unsafe  depend- 
enoe.  Had  they  crossed  the  river  and  established  themselves 
in  present  Watertown,  they  would  have  found  a  good  soil  of 
Bnperior  agricultural  capacity,  for  this  part  of  the  State.  Hid- 
dlebury,  too,  that  part  of  it  embraced  within  the  limits  of  the 
ancient  town,  though  rough,  has  mach  strong  land.  But  there 
was  an  objection  to  a  locality  so  fiur  west,  with  the  Naugatuck* 
flowing  between  the  settlers  and  the  parent  town,  which  has 
already  been  alluded  to. 

On  the  tenth  day  of  September,  1677,  the  committee,  being 
the  grantees  named  in  the  deed  fix»m  the  Indians  conveying 
the  lands  of  Mattatuck,  made  over  all  their  title  and  interest 
in  the  same  to  the  proprietoi-s  of  Mattatuck.  By  this  act,  liow- 
ever,  thev  did  not  i)art  witli  anv  of  their  authoritv  in  tlie  man- 
agement  of  the  settlenjcnt.  This  is  the  assignment,  signed 
by  J  ohn  Talcott,  only  :— 

The  aboue  writen  deed  of  snli-  wo  the  said  John  talcot  Nicholas  olmsted  and 
SaniMol  S!«tI  do  lliis  tfiith  of  S-ptomhor  in  the  year  1<'.77  asijrn  ami  mark  oui^r  al' 
our  Kij^ht  and  tittle  therein  and  tliereutito  vnto  Thomas  Judtl  .lolm  Stanly  S:imuh>11 
hickoka  and  Abraham  brunaon  inhabitants  of  mattatuck  to  tlicmsclus  heira  and 
ttrigu  for  ener  and  to  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  bdonglng  to  the  said  raattataok 
for  them  aelres  and  thdr  hdrs  and  aaigns  for  ever  as  wittness  onr  hands  the  said 
inhabitants  liaTing  pajd  the  purehe.^  to  our  order  the  piirchescrs 

Lieut  Webster  l>fin<_'  (K-ail  before  our  Anipn 

Signed  and  delivered  by  m       John  Talcott 

*  N'HUgatuck— in  the  Indian  language,  Xituiotunif  one  large  tree—\t  said  to  hare  been  the 
origlDal  naiiM  «f  HmaphNgraTtllc*  (Scjiooiir ;)  m»  calM  fron  a  larga  trea  wkkh  tanaulf  atoed 
■earloekBlBuaaaatlcrMur.  (Barber**  Con.  Rial.  Col.) 


Digitizoa  by  Li(.)o^le 


I 

I 

I 

16  UldTO&Y  OF  WATEEBUSY.  I 

i 

Soon  after  this  assignment,  or  in  October  next  following, 
tlie  eoinniittec  in  tlie  exercise  of  their  appropriate  funetions, 
"  ordered  "  that  tlic  inhabitants  of  tlic  new  plantation    should  j 
settle  near  t<\:xether  for  benefit  of  Christian  duties  and  defense  , 
arjainst  enemies."    Thev  also  moditied  at  a  little  later  date, 
some  of  the  conditions  of  settlement,  in  consequence  of  the  un-  ^ 
expected  delay  which  had  taken  ]daee  in  the  movement  of 
the  emigrants.   I  quote,  tlie  date  beiug  Jan.  15th,  1677| (1676, 
new  style);*  j 

We  doe  ellso  alow  tbe  proiirkton  of  mattatnck  one  yere  for  settleing  them 
■eloes  on  [in]  the  aforenid  mattatuck  more  than  waa  lint  granted:  not  witfaatand 

ing  any  thing  to  the  contrarr  and  all  publick  charges  to  be  borne  one  jor  longer  | 
or  more  than  is  concluded  in  the  third  article  datted  may  80*^  1677 

From  various  circamatances,  it  would  seem  that  the  firat 
settlers  came  to  this  place  some  time  in  the  snmnier  of  1677,  I 

but  at  what  precise  date,  I  have  been  unable  to  ascertain.   At  | 

any  rate  they  were  here  on  the  tenth  of  September,  as  appears 
by  the  assip^nment  of  the  Indian  deed  to  certain  persons,  'Mn-  i 
habitants  of  Miittatuck.'"  They  came  without  their  families,  and  i 
erected  some  rude  huts,  for  temporary  shelter,  on  the  banks  of 
the  river,  near  Sled  Ilall,  so  called.  IIavin<i^  put  in  their  winter 
crops,  and  made  some  pre}»arations  for  the  ensuing  sprin*:^,  most  I 
of  them  probably  returm-d  to  Karmington,  as  the  old  weather 
came  on.  In  tlie  spring  following,  some  of  the  })roprietors  remov-  | 
cd  their  families  to  their  new-found  homes,  and  went  to  work.  j 
And  serious  work  they  had  to  do.    But  thev  were  inured  to 
it   Their  hands  were  hardened  hy  toil,  and  their  hearts  made 

*  The  old  jrcar  began  March  SSlh.  Between  1665  and  1693,  the  subject  was  first  agitated  of 
aiaUog  a  ebaage,  aad  eemoMBelnf  tha  year  Jae.  Itl.  Dvriag  thla  Interrai,  looia  ved  aM 

style  and  other*  new  5t\]p.  Aft.  r  \  the  ciutnm  obtained,  when  giTlng  a  date  from  Jan.  1st 
to  March  25th,  of  adding  the  new  year  to  the  old,  in  the  form  of  a  doable  date.  Thus  Feb.  S, 
1T10,  oM  etyle,  (which  weoM  ba  Fab.  5,.  iTIl.  new  Dtyle,}  was  vrltteD  Feb.  5,  I7i|.  The  custom, 
however,  waa  not  entirely  OBtftou.  gome  bej^an  the  year  9U  ttia  lit  of  Mareh,  aad  on  (and 
after)  Hint  fl.iy  employed  the  new  style.  Our  clerks  were  rery  cmrelcK",  folli<wln^'  no  certain 
rule.  Mr.  Soulhniayd  sometimes  usea  the  doable  date,  sometimes  old  style  and  sonetlace 
wMw  atyle.  Nora  araalty,  he  emplayi  acir  ttyto  for  datee  oeearring  aay  tfano  la  Mareh.  Os  the 
Mtt  diiy  of  Msrch,  1752,  It  was  enacted  by  Parliament  that  tbe  year  -hnti),!  commence  on 
thoitt  day  of  January.  By  the  same  act,  eleren  days  were  struck  out  of  the  month,  and  the 
third  waa  caHod  fha  f«arte«Dth,  to  «orr^  an  error  artotng  ftan  the  ''yroceseleaof  tha  oqvl* 

aoxes."    In  this  work,  when  referring  to  specific  date;',  I  shall  ol-scrve  tin-  cnstoiti  of  the  «raa 
aoncerniug  which  I  write,  making  at  the  thne  such  explanation  as  may  be  necessary. 


Digitized  by  Google 


ViU 


of 


MATTATUCK. 


to  'Jwidjs  Jfeadotr 


f  > 

// 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


■nigittzCa  by  LiOOglC 


HISTOEY  OF  WATEJiBUKT. 


17 


Lrfive  hy  Biiccessful  encounter  witli  ditHculty  Jind  danger. 
Tlicy  were  neitlier  drones  nor  eowards.  i  liey  were  tough  men, 
and  had  conio  into  a  tough  count rv— a  eouutry  which,  for  easy 
tiUage,  was  in  striking  contrast  w  itli  the  i)htins  of  Farniington. 
Tliougli  prepared  for  unceasing  toil  and  much  sacritice,  tliey 
probably  did  not  expect  the  j»rolonged  hardsliip,  tlie  great  dis- 
couragements, and  fearful  cahuuities  which  ke})t  the  j»opula- 
tion  of  the  colony  stationary  for  more  than  thirty  years. 

In  the  course  of  the  Bumnier  of  H>78,  a  few  houses  were 
erected  on  the  newly  selected  site  for  the  village.  They  were 
constructed  of  logs,  after  the  fasliioQ  of  the  new  settlements  of 
tlie  present  day,  with  the  naked  ground,  or  in  Bome  cases,  if 
the  soil  was  wet,  or  the  occupants  were  persons  of  taste  and 
anhetance,  with  split  log^,  for  a  floor.  They  were  "good  and 
Bubstantial  dwellings,"  doubtless,  ('^mantion  houses,"  they 
were  sometimes  called,)  *'at  least  eighteen  feet  in  length  and 
sixteen  feet  wide,  and  nine  foot  between  joynts  with  a 
good  chimly "  of  stone  and  day  mortar,  according  to  the  re- 
quirements of  the  subscribed  articles;  but  tliey  were  not 
what,  at  this  day,  would  be  called  faghumabie,  Tliey  might 
have  been  picturesque,  provided  the  spectator  stood  far  enough 
off.  We  shall  be  obliged  to  ^css  how  they  were  furnished ; 
but  I  risk  nothing  in  saying  that  they  contained  no  tapestry 
carpeting  or  lace  curtains.  They  in  fact  were  designed  for 
shelter,  not  ornament  According  to  tradition,  there  were,  at  a 
later  period,  forty  of  these  rude  log-houses,  standing  at  one 
time,  in  the  town  center. 

The  village  streets  were  laid  out,  in  the  commencement, 
very  nearly,  in  most  cases,  where  they  still  arc — three  running 
east  and  west,  something  more  than  half  a  mile  long,  and  three 
shorter  ones  running  north  and  >outh,  the  four  outside  streets 
forming  an  irregular  oblong  S(|uare,  the  east  being  more  than 
twice  as  broad  iis  the  west  end.  The  west  street  on  the  map 
of  Wuterbury,  ])ublished  in  1852,  is  called  Willow  street;  the 
cikst.  Mill  street  and  Cherry  street ;  the  north,  Grove  street^  and 
the  8(»uth,  Grand  street  and  Union  street ;  while  the  central 
streets  are  named,  one  West  and  East  Main,  and  the  other 
Bank,  North  Main  and  Cook  streets.   No  new  roads  of  much 

2 


DigUizoa  by  CoOglc 


18 


HISTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


importance  hare  been  laid  ont  nntal  about  the  commencement  of 
the  present  cen  tniy.  That  part  of  Cook  street,  ho werer,  which 
lies  between  Main  and  Grove  streetsy  preyioiisly  to  1703, 
ran  farther  west  than  at  present  It  most  have  wound  round 
between  the  hills  west  of  Ljman  Vf,  Goe's  house,  coming  into 
Qrove  street,  probably  a  few  rods  west  of  the  present  junction, 
where  the  Brunt  Hill  road  (Cook  above  Grove)  commences. 
It  passed  west  fur  enongh  to  leave  a  house  lot  of  four  acres, 
owned  l)y  Denjaniiii  Wanicr,  between  the  road  and  tlie 
brow  of  the  liill  just  east  of  the  Little  Brook,  near  the  liouse 
owned  by  Andrew  Bryan.  In  the  conveyances  of  tliis  four 
acre  h>t  after  it  went  out  of  tlie  possession  cf  Wanier,  it  is  de- 
scribed ;us  in  two  pieces,  the  larger  one  Inittini^  cast,  and  tlie 
smaller  west,  on  the  hi«i;hway.  Tlie  town  action,  rehitini;  to 
this  new  road  up  the  Erook  is  seen  in  the  following  extract  li'om 
the  town  record : 

Jtaamrjx  W^:  lYOS-S  y*  town  with  benio^  worner  exchanged  y*  highway  on 

J*  W0tt  1^  womcrH  hous  lot  next  bentamin  barn»  to  let  a*  wotner  haue  y*  biway 
for  a  three  rods  lii<:li\vay  throu  hb  lot  on  y«  hill  aid  on  y*  east  f"*  his  lot  iioxt  y« 
litle  brook  and  s**  woriu t  is  to  extend  southword  in  y*  fnint  of  liis  lot  to  y*  sixt 
porst  of  beniamia  barnses  fenc  is  now  set  ami  to  extend  northward  in  y*  dcui- 
dant  loyn  next  haraa  aa  far  aa  ■*  iMurnaea  lot  gos  and  to  ran  to  hia  own  north  eaat 
eonr  not  to  pwgoAa  [Ac.]  ^ 

Probably  when  the  town  was  planned  and  tlie  higliways 
staked  out,  there  was  no  road  contemplated  in  tlie  ])lace  of  that 
which  runs  diagonally  from  Mr.  Coe^s,  past  Charles  D.  Kings- 
bury's to  the  east  end  of  Grove  street;  but  subsequently,  and 
before  long,  its  conTenience  became  apparent.  It  is  mention- 
ed in  connection  with  the  grant  of  George  Scott's  (after- 
wards Benjamin  Warner's)  house  lot,  in  December,  1687,  and 
referred  to  as  the  highway  that  runs  over  the  Little  Brook." 
After  this  road  was  made,  the  thought  of  a  new  and  better 
road  north,  up  the  brook,  doubtless  suggested  itself. 

The  road  which  now  runs  from  Bank,  across  South  Main, 
and  up  Fnion,  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  being  a  continuation  of 
Grand,  seems  not  to  have  existed  in  the  early  history  of  the 
town.  This  a]>pearB  from  the  descriptions  of  the  home  lots  on 
the  easterly  side  of  Bank  street,  which  were  bounded  west, 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


mSTOBT  OF  WATBRBUBT. 


19 


but  not  nortli  or  south,  on  liigliway.  South  ^fain  Ptrcot,  80 
called,  was  laid  out  and  made  as  a  country  road,  not  till  alter 
1800;  but  there  was,  from  an  early  date,  a  j>assagc,  called  the 
Tine  Hill  road,  from  the  south  end  of  Bank  street,  near 
where  Meadow  street  commences,  running  sontheasterh'  in 
tlie  general  direction  of  Meadow  street,*  within  the  common 
fence,  to  the  Mad  River  crossing,  near  the  present  ])ridge,  and 
so  on  to  Judd's  Meadow,  (Xaugatuck.)  A  branch  from  this 
passage,  comraunicatingwith  what  is  now  Union  street,  and  the 
corn  mill,  (Scovill  MaaufactoriDg  Co'b  Boiling  Mill,)  extended 
northeostei-ly,  bounding  in  the  rear,  or  on  the  Boutlieasti  some 
of  the  Bank  street  home  lots  above  mentioned. 

I  have  been  nnable  to  find  (as  already  suggested)  any  refer- 
ence at  an  early  date,  to  what  is  now  Union  street,  from  Bank 
to  Elm.  I  have  not  identified  it  as  bounding  any  of  the  home 
lots,  or  any  grants  of  land.  And  yet,  it  was  probably  inclnd* 
ed  in  the  original  plan  of  ihe  village,  A  road,  or  path,  snch 
as  I  have  referred  to  in  the  preceding  paragraph,  connecting 
the  com  mill  with  the  Pine  Hill  road  mnning  down  the  river, 
was  required  for  tbe  convenience  of  ihe  people.  I  obtain  no 
certain  knowledge  of  it,  however,  till  March  18th,  1780,  when 
a  highway  was  laid  out,  (whicb  has  been  closed  within  the  last 
thirty  years,)  beginning  near  the  top  of  the  hill,  a  little  west  of 
Elm  street,  "  a  little  below  Hopkins'  Plain  bars,  from  that 
highway  that  runs  by  the  conmion  fence,  to  that  that  goes  to 
Judd's  Meadow,"  at  a  stake  on  tlie  brow  of  the  hill,  in  the 
corner  of  Thomas  Porter's  lot,  running  across  said  lot  south- 
wardly f  Mirteen  rods,  then  seven  rods,  "at  the  bottom  of  the 
hill  within  Deacon  Clark's  fence,  wliere  it  emjities  into  said 
hiirlnvay  that  goes  to  Judd's  Meadow,  two  rods  wide."  It 
came  out  near  diaries  Bronson's  house.  It  was  to  be  a  "pent 
road,"  that  is,  to  be  closed  at  its  upper  end  with  a  gate  or  bars. 
Its  object  appears  to  have  been  to  sliorten  the  distance  to  the 
mill,  for  the  southern  and  southwestern  inhabitants. 

Probably  the  survey  above  referred  to  is,  for  the  most  part. 


*flwpMMire  referred  to,  ai  lb*  tin*  tlM  taniplk*  vai  Bidt,  (1801,)  eaiM  Into  the  taltar  B««r 
tbthmiM  of  iohp  U.  Stoeklag,  (on  Ummp.) 


DigUizoa  by  CoOglc 


20 


niSTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


only  a  resnrvey  of  an  old  road — ^the  same  which  has  been  allud- 
ed to  as  extending  in  the  rear  of  the  Bank  street  home  lots,  bound- 
ing  them  on  the  east.  Union  street,  within  the  present  century, 
came  into  South  Main  from  the  east,  farther  north  than  now, 
at  a  point  nearly  op^tosite  the  continuation  of  Grand  street 

Mill  street,  below  the  old  mill,  which  tliirty  years  ngo  ran 
dose  to  the  river,  down  to  the  place  occupied  by  the  Hotchkiss 
A  Merriman  Manufacturing  Go's  Factory,  did  not  exist  at 
an  early  period.  Tlie  lot  between  the  mill-dam  and  the  river 
crossing,  bonndcHl  easterly  on  the  river,  in  1713.  Abraham 
Andruss'  Iioii>ie  lot  lu'xt  the  river,  below  the  erubbiiig,  bounded 
on  tlie  river  in  1687  and  1704, 

The  following  cxtniet  relates  to  that  ])art  of  Mill  street 
wliich  runs  from  the  old  corn  mill  to  Kast  Main  street,  by 
George  W.  Weltou's  house ; — 

Wiitor  bury  Karch  v«  1720  wo  wlm-jo  name  are  und»'r  writen  waro  formerly 
apotnted  accomcty  with  Ivl'tonimte  Ju'ld  Uy  tlip  town  of  Watcrbury  to  I:vy  out  liiph- 
ways  to  the  mill  in  jx-r-^natite  tluiri'  too  we  l:iid  out  aliiph  way  from  tlio  Ko  ir  that 
goc'8  to  furiningtowu  opposite  ugainst  the  south  caste  corner  of  the  Uoua  lot  that 
it  BOW  ibomaa  hikcox  so  to  the  mill  foure  rods  wido  at  that  ondo  nozt  be  Itara 
mentioned  rode  and  something  wider  towards  the  mill  bating  east  upon  doctor 
porters  land  and  west  npon  the  land  that  Stephen  hopkins  hoos  now  stands  on 

BBiiiAiitv  BAmns 

mark  Comctjr 
Stkpuen    2   UosoM  Sen. 
bb 

From  another  and  earlier  reeord,  it  would  seem  that  the 
above  was  a  re-survc*v  of  an  old  hi<rh\vav,  or  else  that  the 
committee  previously  aj)})ointed  to  lay  it  out  neglected  to  do 
it.  A  copy  of  the  record  is  given  below.  Tlie  old  road  re- 
ferred to,  which  was  to  be  changed,  bore  off  more  to  the  east 
than  the  present  one. 

Desemlier  8  1712  de  [deacon]  thomas  Jodd  abraham  andros  if  Stnen  npeon 
was  chorion  a  comtnity  to  run  a  hi  way  north  from  the  mill  between  John  hopkins 
and  doc  danll  porter  in  onlor  to  chatig  it  for  land  On  west  lid  the  mill  plan  of 
hopkins  and  mak  return  to  the  town 

"  The  mill  path,"  bo  called  in  the  early  records,  now  Cole 
street,  which  mne  oWiquely  from  East  Main  by  Mrs.  Zenas 
Cook's  honse  (on  the  map)  to  the  mill,  was  not  apparently  an 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


HI8TOBT  OP  WATEBBUBT. 


21 


original  street,  though  it  existed  from  an  early  ]•(  i  I  iind 
it  first  alluded  to  iu  1694,  in  connection  witli  John  Richards' 
house  and  house  lot. 

I  believe  there  is  no  early  mention  made  of  that  part  of 
Cherry  street  which  runs  north  and  sonth,  except  incidentally. 
In  December,  1724,  the  town  granted  John  Bronson  liberty  to 
run  the  lines  by  his  house  in  a  certain  manner;  but  he  was 

to  leave  a  high  way  six  rods  wide  against  his  house."  His 
house  (then  the  only  one  upon  the  street)  stood  just  north  of 
Solomon  B.  Miner^s,  (on  the  map.)  Cherry  street,  at  that 
point,  was  once  much  wider  than  now. 

The  upper  end  of  Cherry  street,  that  portion  of  it  whicli 
runs  westerly  across  the  Great  Brook  and  terminates  at  Korth 
Main,  was  laid  out  by  Daniel  Soutliniayd,  Dec.  1st,  J 746, 
tliou^li  drmbtloss  it  existed  as  a  passage  long  before.  It  is 
dc'ScriluHl  as  a  liiirhway  at  the  upper  end  of  J.t.  John  IJron- 
son's  -aw  mill  lot,  bei^inninu:  at  the  highway  that  goes  by  said 
Bron^onV  new  barn,  tlie  lirst  corner  being  at  James  Tsieliols* 
Boutlieast  corner,  whieli  is  the  first  corner  of  the  highway, 
running  west  twenty  one  rods  to  said  iS'ichols'  southwest 
eorner,  which  is  the  noi-thwest  corner  of  said  highway,  bounded 
north  on  said  Nichols'  land,  three rodfi  wide,  the  boutidb  being 
on  the  north  side." 

Grove  street  was  surveyed  or  re-surveyed,  in  two  parts, 
Dec.  21,  1752.  The  cast  part  began  at  Deacon  Thomas  Bron- 
son's  clay  pit  pasture,  (comer  of  North  Main  and  Grove  streets,) 
and  ran  west  thirtv-two  rods  to  the  southwest  comer  of  Isaac 
Nichols'  Little  Brook  pasture,  terminating  at  the  road  that 

goes  north  from  Obadiah  Worner  s  barn  to  Bobert  Johnsons 
house,"  (Cook  street  continued.)  It  was  four  rods  wide.  The 
west  part  began  at  the  highway  last  mentioned  **at  the  South 
East  comer  of  William  Adams  lot,"  and  ran  west  one  hundred 
and  sixteen  rods  to  the  highway  that  goes  by  Serg.  Thomas 
Barnes  house,"  (Willow  street.)  It  was  three  rods  wide. 

Tliis  highway  doubtless  existed  from  the  beginning  of  the 
settlement  Ilie  original  home-lots  on  Wpst  Main  street  were 
bounded  on  it  on  the  north. 

Church  street  was  laid  out  ll£ay  5  th,  1S06«  It  ran  south 
forty  rods  and  was  two  rods  wide. 


Digitizoa  by  Li(.)o^le 


HI8IOBT  OV  WATEB8UBT. 


The  following  action  of  the  grand  committee  related  to  East 
Main  street — (Joseph  Gaylord  lived  on  the  north  side  of  the 
street,  on  the  corner  of  North  Main.) 

Farmington  November  2*7  1679:  A  meeting  of  the  comitte  for  mattatuck  Itt  Is 
determined  that  high  way  layed  ont  by  Lt  Samnell  Steele  atl  the  east  end  of  the 
town  plat  att  mattatuck  running  eastward  out  of  said  town  pkt  being  thre  rod 
wid  shall  always  be  and  remain  for  publick  and  common  vse  which  is  between 
Josepli  GavIordH  lott  and  a  hooa  lott  reserved  for  such  inhabitants  as  shall  her- 
alter  be  entertained 

I  have  given  above  all  which  I  have  been  able  to  gather, 
concerning  the  old  highways  comprehended  in  the  original 
plan  of  the  town  center.  There  is  nothing  on  record  regard- 
ing the  most  ancient  roads  as  thej  were  first  laid  out  What- 
ever we  know  is  obtained  from  the  re-snrvejS)  incidental  re- 
marks and  the  very  imperfect  memoranda,  and  often  erroneous 
descriptions  of  the  home  lots,  and  tlie  early  land  grants,  which 
**  liutted''  on  higliwuy.s. 

In  Feb.  1702-3,  it  was  ordered  bv  the  town  "  that  the  hijrh- 
ways  layd  out  be  recorded  but  this  order  appears  to  have 
bei'H  wliolly  nc<i;lectcd  till  1716. 

The  lioiue-lutri  of  the  lirst  settlers  of  Mattatuck  were  upon 
the  central  streets,  most  of  tlieni  t»ii  tliat  nniniiio;  east  and  west, 
a  few  on  the  one  running  north  and  suuth.  The  lots  on  the 
outside  streets,  and  those  that  were  situated  most  distant  from 
the  center,  were  taken  up  at  later  dates,  as  there  was  occasion 
for  them.  They  were  staked  out  by  the  conunittee,  and  those 
first  disposed  of,  distributed  by  lot,  in  the  way  the  old  town 
plot  lots  were  designed  to  be,  without  reference  to  anunnit  of 
proprietorship.  They  varied  in  size  according  to  tlie  desirable- 
ness of  the  locality,  and  the  make  of  the  ground,"  natural 
disadvantages  being  compensated  by  additional  acres.  A 
majority  of  them  contained  two  acres,  but  some  had  four,  one 
five,  and  others  only  one  and  a  half  acres.  Some  eligible  lots 
were  reserved,  and  many  outside  ones,  not  so  desirable,  were 
left  for  future  settlers.  These  were  disposed  of  by  grant— by 
the  committee,  at  first,  and  subsequently  by  the  proprie- 
tors. 

Around  the  "  Green,"  (Centre  Square,)  on  all  sides  and  so 


Digitizea  by  Li(.)0^1e 


mnOBT  OF  WATBBBDBY. 


28 


west  as  far  as  the  house  of  the  late  Bennet  Bronflon,  the  lionses 
were  numerous,  the  land  having  been  all  taken  up  and  built 
upon,  except  a  tract  near  the  present  Episcopal  Church.  The 
lots  on  the  south  side  of  the  road,  except  one  at  the  east  end, 
and  those  on  the  north  side,  except  four  at  the  east  end,  extend- 
ed through  to  the  back  streets.  Previously  to  about  1700, 
there  were  no  dwellings  east  of  Dr.  Jesse  Porter's,  north  of 
C.  D.  Kingsbury's,  south  of  a  house  on  Bank  street,  marked 
on  the  map,  Timothy  Ball,"  and  west  of  the  late  B.  Bron- 
son's.  On  the  plan  of  the  old  town  center,  I  have  entered  the 
names  of  the  first  settlers.  When  the  block  is  omitted,  it  is  to  be 
understood  that  no  house  is  expressly  mentioned,  (in  some  cases 
from  inadvertence,  probably,)  as  existing  on  the  lot. 

There  are  no  land  records  of  Waterbury,  attempting  descrip- 
tion, tluit  hi-ar  date  earlier  than  1687,  immediately  after  the 
incorporatiuii  of  the  town.  The  lands  granted  by  the  At^sem- 
blv's  committee  were  not  recorded  at  the  time :  and  those 
which  were  afterwards  distribiitL'd  ])y  the  proprietors,  in  pub- 
lic meetings,  are  nut  defined,  except  in  tlie  most  general  ternis. 
For  instance,  in  1084,  the  proprietors  granted  to  Daniel  Porter 
"f(nir  acers  in  y*"  wigwam  swamp  as  near  y«  loer  end  as  may 
be  so  as  to  haue  the  breath  [breadtlij  of  swamp.''  But  in 
the  year  named,  (1<!87,)  something  more  was  attempted.  A 
record  was  made  of  each  man's  lots,  and  particularly  of  his 
house  lot.  This  ^^  as  made  both  in  Hartibrd  (on  the  colony 
records)  and  in  Waterbuiy.  Tlie  description  is  of  the  brief- 
est sort,  and  in  the  most  general  terms.  Boundaries  arc  given, 
and  the  estimated  number  of  acres ;  and  whether  the  title  was 
obtained  by  purchase,  or  special  grant.  If  a  deed  had  been 
taken,  the  date  of  the  signing  and  acknowledgment  is  given, 
with  the  name  of  the  commissioner,  or  justice.  These  record- 
ed and  very  brief  accounts,  are  afterwards  referred  to  as  evi- 
dence of  tide.  On  these  cJiiefly,  I  have  been  obliged  to  rely 
in  my  attempts  to  locate  the  early  planters  of  Waterbuiy. 
They  are  often  so  indefinite,  so  lacking  in  detail,  so  erroneous 
indeed,  that  it  is  a  matter  of  the  utmost  diflSculty  to  make 
anything  out  of  them.  Distances  are  very  rarely  given,  and 
points  of  compass,  never,  except  in  the  most  general  way. 


DigUizoa  by  CoOglc 


24  HIBTOBT  OF  WATBaiBUBT. 

East  is  sometimes  inadvertently  used  for  west,  and  north  for 
south,  and  vice  verm.  Tiic  settlers  often  bought  and  sold,  and 
exchanged  houses  and  lots,  and  this  circumstance  lias  increas- 
ed the  difficulty  of  ascertaing  the  earliest  dwelling  places  of 
individuals. 


CHAPTER  IIL 


D£IJNQU£NT  SUBSCRIBERS. 

Of  the  thirty  original  subscribers  to  tlie  articles  of  settlo- 
ment,  thirteen  never  became  permanent  proprietors  of  Water- 
bury.  Their  names  follow : 

John  Warner,  Sou., 
Damki,  Warner, 

Ji)ii\  ANDitrss, 
Abraham  IJronsox, 
Thomah  Griolky, 
JOUII  POBTBB, 
RlCHABO  SlYMOCB. 

William  Hioason, 
Samuil  Gkidlkt, 
Jomr  liAUKToVf 
Job*  Jin»D, 

FAMfKL  Jrnn, 
William  Judd. 

John  Warner,  Sen.,  and  Daniel  Warner,  father  and  son, 
whose  names  are  in  the  first  group,  both  intended  to  join  the 
planters  of  Mattatuck,  but  died  when  about  to  remove,  in  1679, 
in  Farmington.  Hie  place  of  the  father  seems  to  have  been 
til  led  by  his  son,  Thomas  Warner  ;  while  the  death  of  the  son 
gave  rise  to  the  following  action  of  the  committee,  which  con- 
ferred his  rights  upon  his  widow. 


HUTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


25 


Fannington,  Koreniber  '26,  1G79, 
Whoro  fts  Daniel  Wornor  wilh  his  FaniilT  woro  upon  tli<>  Rcmovo  to  Mattatiu'k, 
Ami  oil  tlmt  Juncture  of  time  the  Divine  provitlence  of  God  hath  lieujoved  the 
Daaiell  out  of  the  Land  of  the  Laud  of*  the  Living.  Out  of  com)>a8;$ioD  to 
hb  Relict  k  ohUdren  left  behind  him,  we  do  Gnuit  the  Relict  shall  hold  her 
Anottmenta  Finn  and  Good  to  her  eelf  end  children  not  with  atan^g  any  thing 
Contained  In  any  Former  Article  to  the  Contrary,  only  advising  her  Self  and  Re- 
lativf.-i  tliiit  a  Dwellinp;  hou.-'o  I)0  Erected  there  with  all  possible  Speed,  and  that 
Sliee  Inliuliit  tlit-i  e  or  some  sui&cieut  person  to  manage  he^rj  Lauds  aeuomuio- 
datioud  upon  the  place. 

fByns 
John  Taleott 

•  John  Wadaworth 
NlchohM  Ofanatead 

.Samuel  Steel 

A  true  Becord  of  the  Origioal 

Attest  John  Southuiayd,  Clerk. 

It  appeared  early  that  there  were  several  of  the  original  sign* 
ers  of  the  articles  who  liiid  c-haiiircil  tlieir  minds,  and  had  no 
longer  any  intention  of  V)C'coniiiig  })L'nnanent  settlers  of  Matta- 
tnck.  Ihev  nnide  a  declaration  to  this  eti'oct,  and  the  com- 
mittee  permitted  other  applicants  to  tjike  their  i)laces. 
There  were  live  of  these  persons  who  abandoned  the  entei-])rise 
at  the  ontset,  or  in  the  first  season,  1G77,  before  any  houses 
were  erected.  Ko  more  than  one  of  these  is  heard  of  as 
having  been  with  tlie  lirst  planters  of  this  town.  Their 
names  are  in  the  second  group. 

John  Andruss.  Benjamin  Jones  was  accepted  as  a  ])roprie- 
tor,  in  his  stead.  The  name  will  again  be  mentioned  in  con- 
nection with  his  son,  Abraham,  an  earlj  settler.  lie  was  one 
of  the  commit  tec  of  the  proprietors,  appointed  May  twenty- 
first,  1677,  to  take  into  consideration  the  expediency  of  remov- 
ing the  town  site. 

^Vbraham  Bronson  was  a  younger  brother  of  John  and  Isaac 
I^ronson,  original  signers  and  settlers.  He  was  one  of  the  as- 
signees named  in  the  assignment  of  the  first  Indian  deed  to 
certain  persons,  "  inhabitants  of  Mattatnck."  This  was  Sept 
10, 1777 ;  so  that  he  would  seem  to  have  been  one  of  the  first 


*  i>o  Id  the  Record. 


Digitizoa  by  Li(.)o^le 


26 


BI8IOBT  OF  WATEB8UXT. 


C()in]>any  of  j)liuitcrs.  But  he  bickened  of  the  enterprise,  aiid 
hin  phicc  was  tiUed  Jan.  15,  1077-8,  by  Jolin  Scovill. 

Thomas  Gridloy,  of  Farniin^ton,  was  a  son  (►f  Thomas  Grid- 
ley  of  Hartford  and  Farmington,  and  l)rotlier  of  Sanmel,  an- 
other signer.  His  name  is  among  those  of  the  eighty-four 
Proprietors  of  Fannington,"  in  1673.  lie  was  bom  1650,  and 
died  in  1742.  Tlic  v  acancy  made  by  his  failure  was  supplied 
by  Joseph  Gay  lord,  Jan.  15tli,  1677-8. 

John  Porter,  of  Fannington,  was  probably  a  son  of  Robert, 
a  subsequent  settler  and  proprietor.  David  Carpenter  was 
accepted  for  him,  Jan.  15di,  1677-8.  The  family  will  again 
be  mentioned. 

Bichard  Seymour,  of  Fannington,  was  a  son  of  Bichard 
Seymour,  of  Hartford,  Fannington  and  Norwalk.  He  was 
the  leader  of  the  settlement  which  was  made  at  the  Great 
Swamp,  (afterwards  Kensington,)  to  which  place  he  removed 
in  1685.  He  was  killed  by  the  falling  of  a  tree  in  1710.  His 
wife  died  in  1713.  His  sister  Mercy  married  John  Steel,  the 
father  of  Ensign  Sarnnel  Steel,  one  of  the  State's  Committee ; 
and  liis  twister  Marv  married,  in  1G4-Ir,  Th<»iiius  Gridlev,  another 
signer.  Benjamin  Banies  was  accepted  in  his  place,  Jan.  15th, 
1677,  (1678,  new  style.) 

llie  six  persons  in  tlie  third  gronp  all  had  meadow  allot- 
ments and  divisions  of  the  common  fence  assigned  tliem,  at 
ditierent  times,  from  1G78  to  1(>S1  ;*  and  from  this  cirfiim- 
stance  it  is  rendered  ])robable  that  they  were,  for  a  time  at 
least,  residents  at  Hattatuck,  with  a  prospect  of  securing  their 
proj)rietary  rights  and  becoming  permanent  settlers. 

William  Higason.  His  name  is  on  the  list  of  proprietors 
of  Fannington,  1672.  He  was  bom  in  1648,  and  had  several 
children — Sarah,  Margaret,  Elizabeth,  Mary.  Tlie  last,  mar- 
ried Clark  Carrington,  a  son  of  John,  an  original  j)ropri- 
etor  of  Waterbury.  Edmund  Scott,  Jr.,  was  accepted  for  him 
and  took  his  allotments,  about  1680. 

Samuel  Gridley,  a  ^< smith"  and    trader,"  was  a  son  of 


*  Tli«  four  first  dlvlatontof  fteiMt  of  which  a  record  has  b«en  prestrred,  were  made  between 
theee  dates. 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


HUTOBT  OF  WATBBBVBT. 


27 


Thomas,  and  elder  brother  <»t'  Tlminas  above  iiieiitionod.  He 
was  bom  in  1047,  and  died  1712,  liaving  had  eleven  children. 
Tlionias  Newell,  Sen.  was  made  a  proprietor  in  his  place,  prob- 
ably belV»re  1680. 

John  Lankton,  or  Langdon,  was  a  deacon  of  the  church  in 
Farmington.  lie  was  one  of  the  committee  raised  in  May, 
1677,  to  inquire  into  the  propriety  of  removing  the  town  site. 
He  was  a  son-in-law  of  Thomas  Gridley,  had  several  children, 
and  died  in  1689.  His  rights  as  proprietor  of  Mattatnck  were 
declared  forfeited,  <*Feb.  5**^,  1680,"  and  were  afterwards  con- 
ferred on  John  Hopkins,  the  miller. 

John  Judd  and  Samnel  Judd,  were  sons  of  Dea.  Thomas 
Jndd,  of  Farmington,  to  be  hereafter  mentioned.  They  neg- 
lected to  comply  with  the  articles  of  settlement,  and,  after  a 
long  indulgence  on  the  ^  art  of  the  committee,  their  allotments 
were  "condemned,"  Feb.  6th,  1682.  (1682-3.)  The  commit- 
tee accepted  of  Abraham  Andrn^s,  2d,  or  Jr.,  in  the  place  of 
John  Judd;  and  at  a  latiT  period,  1087,  Sauiuers  right  was 
bestowed  on  his  brother  Philip. 

William  Ju<ld  was  an  elder  brotlier  of  John  and  Samnel, 
above  mentioni'd — a  num  of  snl^stance,  of  nuith  intlnenoe 
and  ijrreatlv  esteenu-d.  llo  was  tiie  most  distini'uished  of  the 
Judds,  and  j)romised  to  be  the  leadin*]^  num  amon«x  tlie  ])lant- 
ers  of  Mattatnck  He  is  usually  called  Sergeant  William 
Judd,  he  having  been  contirmed  sergeant  of  the  Farmington 
train  band  bv  the  County  Court  of  Ilartford,  Dec.  4th,  1679. 
He  was  one  of  a  committee  to  apj>ortion  the  fence  among  the 
proprietors,  appointed  Jan.  loth,  1677-8,  and  was  selected  for 
a  similar  service,  March  11th,  l^u  8-0,  At  the  same  date,  he 
was  chosen,  in  company  with  Lieut.  Steele  and  John  Stanley, 
to  lav  out  "  the  three  acre  l<»ts  "  to  the  settlers,  and  was  allow- 
ed  the  privilege  of  having  his  own  lot  laid  out  adjoining  his 
house  lot  From  the  nature  of  the  duties  assigned  him,  and 
the  way  he  is  spoken  of,  I  conclude  that  he  was  an  inhabitant 
of  Mattatnck  at  the  dates  mentioned,  with  the  intention  of 
remaining ;  but  some  how  the  time  allowed  for  building,  &c., 
ran  out,  and  on  complaint,  he  along  with  other  delinquents, 
was  declared,  under  date  of  '*Feb.  6th,  1680,"  to  have  for- 
feited aU  his  rights.  Here  is  the  action  of  the  committee : 


Digi[i<ioa  by  CjOO^Ic 


28  lUSTO&Y  OF  WATERBUSY. 

In  condderatkm  of  smne  of  those  penona  that  haue  had  alokmenUi  granted  Att 
matutuck  we  haue  heard  the  alygatioiu  kyed  in  against  them  and  doe  detenoin 
that  deacon  John  langtoa  wilUam  Judd  and  dauid  carpenter  bane  forfited  all  their 

right'4  :iiul  tittk'M  to  thoH^e  alotniont^  granted  to  them  att  roattotoclc  not  bauing  at> 
tended  [toj  those  articles  to  which  tliay  haue  subscribed. 

Afterwards,  however,  William  Judd*8  name  again  appears 
as  a  subscriber  to  the  articles,  he  obligating  himself  to  erect  a 
dwelling,  and  to  settle  in  the  place,  with  his  family,  within 
one  year  after  subscription.  Hay  ISth,  1080,  ho  was  at  the 
head  of  a  committee,  on  the  part  of  Mattatuck,  to  settle 
bounds,  with  Derby,  and  a  little  later,  June  9th,  1680,  to  set- 
tle bouiuls  with  Woodbnrv.  A  second  time,  l»owever,  he  was 
a  defaulter,  and  iit  K'ligtli,  his  lands  and  rights  of  land  were 
given,  hy  the  jiroprietoiv,  to  his  son  Thnmas.  His  name  dis- 
apprars  from  tlu'  n-cord  after  lOSl.  His  house  lot  a])j»ears 
to  iiavi!  been  on  Willow  >treet,  a  little  north  of  the  dwelling 
of  the  late  Jiennet  IJronson. 

Of  those  who  signed  the  articles  afUr  a  settlement  ha<l 
l)een  commenced,  live  got  faint  heartt  il,  uj-  lor  some  other 
reason,  failetl  to  secure  their  jjropriety  rig]it>.  They  are  nam- 
ed below.  All  had  meadow  allotments  and  divisions  ot'  fence 
except  the  iirst. 

Thomofl  newoll 
Joseph  AndruMd 
Darid  Carpenter 
Benjamin  Jndd 
John  Root 

Thomas  Newell,  8oTi.,  was  an  original  ^ctilcr  of  I-'arming- 
ton,  and  the  father  of  John  and  Tlionnis  Newell,  proprietoi's. 
He  was  one  of  tlie  j)etitioners  to  tlie  General  Court,  in  1()73, 
for  lilK'rty  to  plant  a  colony  in  Mattatuck  ;  but  there  is  no 
evidence  that  lie  took  any  stt>]»s  in  the  way  of  forwarding  the 
enter])rise  after  subscribing  the  articles,  'i'he  "Thonnis  New- 
ell" whose  name  appears  about  107D  as  having  fence  a>signed 
him  to  build,  appears  to  have  been  his  son,  who  took  his  place 
and  became  a  proprietor. 

Jose}>h  Andruss.  I  suppose  to  have  been  the  fourth  son  of 
John  Andruss  of  Farraington,  another  signer,  and  younger 
brother  of  Abraham  Andruss,  a  proprietor.  I  know  nothing 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


HI6T0BT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


20 


ot  him  except  that  he  had  a  meadow  allotmeut,  and  a  divis- 
ion of  t'onec  aPsi<;iK'(l  liim  in  1(>S0. 

David  CarjuMitcr.  There  were  two  persons  hy  tliis  name 
in  Farmin^ton,  father  and  son.  Tlie  above  is  presumed  to 
liave  been  the  son.  He  was  ])orn  in  1G47,  and  married  Han- 
nah, a  daughter  of  Richard  Bronson  of  Farmington.  lie  was 
accepted  as  a  proprietor,  Jan.  15th,  1(377-8,  in  the  place  of 
John  Porter,  but  liis  right  was  not  declared  forfeited  till  JFeb. 
5, 1680-1.    He  removed  to  New  London. 

Benjamin  Judd  probably  subscribed  the  articles  and  joined 
the  planters  of  Mattatnck,  within  thefirstyear  of  the  settlement. 
He  was  a  brotlier  of  William,  Jolin  and  Samuel,  and  a  Bon  of 
Dea.  Thomas  Judd,  of  Farmington.  Jan.  15th,  1677-8,  he  was 
appointed  "  to  call  out  the  proprietors  in  their  turns  to  mend 
the  highways."  Feb.  6th,  1680-1,  he  was  selected  by  the 
committee  to  lay  out  land  which  was  granted  to  the  mill.  At 
the  same  date  he  was  allowed  an  addition  to  his  propriety  so 
as  to  '*mack  it  in  valeu  of  one  hundred  pounds,"  and  land 
was  granted  him  as  follows: 

Abo  «re  doe  grant  Bcnjauiin  Judd  nhall  bauo  added  to  the  north  cud  of  his 
House  Lott  some  land  to  build  one  always  prouided  that  the  highway  that  runeth 
through  the  Towne  In  towne  In  that  place  ahaU  be  and  remain  four  tods  and  a  half 
wide  to  be  layd  out  to  him  by  the  foraaid  persona. 

At  a  later  period,  he  signed  a  petition  addressed  to  the 
committee,  "  in  reference  to  herding  of  cattell,"  which  was 
answered  April  5th,  lfi82-3.  Before  the  date  of  this  answer, 
however,  (Feb.  Oth,  1682-3,)  his  •aUotineiits  were  all  "  con- 
di  iuned"  for  not  l)uilding  aceording  to  artieles,  itc.  l>ut  a 
year  afterwards,  Jan.  10th,  1083,  he  was  allowed  the  prive- 
ledp^  of  reseasiiii; 'Mentering  again  into  tlie  ])ossession  of)  liis 
allotments,  on  the  conditions  prescribed  by  the  '*act  of  Feb. 
Otli,  1G82,"  which  reijuired  a  resi<k'nce  of full  four  vers  in  a 
stedy  way  ami  manor,"  witli  his  family.  After  this  ho  is 
heard  of  no  more  in  Mattatuck. 

John  Hoot  was  the  son  of  the  John  TiOOte  senr.,"  who  sub- 
Bcribcd  and  was  accepted  in  behalf  of  one  of  his  sons,"  Jan. 
15,  1677-8.  Tlie  father,  called  "goodman  Rote,"  was  one  of 
the  committee,  in  1677,  to  take  into  consideration  the  ezpe- 


DigUizoa  by  CoOglc 


80 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


diency  of  chanp^ing  tlie  village  site.  Ab  to  the  son,  his  name 
is  among  those  who  had  a  division  of  fence  in  1680,  but  he  is 
spoken  of  no  more.  He  removed  to  Westfield,  (Mass.,)  and 
died  in  1687. 

Tliere  were  then  eighteen  persons  (including  tlie  two  who 
died)  wlio  signed  the  articles — thirteen  in  1674,  and  five  in 
1677  and  subsequently — ^wko  failed  to  make  good  their  pro- 
prietary rights. 

The  following  passage  shows  the  way  in  which  vacancies 
happening  among  the  proprietors  were  filled  by  the  com- 
mittee : 

AU  •  meeting  of  the  Comity  for  nuittatoek  January  is,  1697  Itt  waa  agraad 

and  concluded:  that  we  doe  accept  of  John  Roote  scno'  sabsciibliig  to  the  arti- 
cles for  Settling  of  mattatiu-k  in  tlie  behalf  of  one  of  his  .«ons  and  we  accept  of 
John  Soouall  on  the  Acc'  of  Ahrahuni  Hroiisnn  and  benjamin  harnes  on  account 
of  Richard  Seymour  and  of  John  Stanly  Junior  Joacph  Gaylor  on  the  account  of 
Thomaa  Qridle j  [thej]  aubfloriUiig  to  tnbmit  to  tho  arUdea  ^naid  dated  may  80*  ^ 
1614  and  in  soo  doing  are  excepted  as  inhabitanta  of  the  place  danld  Garpenter 
•ubaeribiog  in  behalf  of  John  PorUnr  ia  excepted  upon  the  same  tenna 

Below  will  be  found  what  purports  to  have  been  copied 
from  "the  back  side  of  the  leaf  where  the  original  articles 
were  filed."  The  new  proprietors,  of  course,  were  required 
to  take  upon  themselves  the  obligations  of  the  old.  The 
names  of  some  of  them  are  here  met  with. 

We  whode  names  ar«  here  under  written  do  ingage  to  stand  by  and  fullfill  the 
Article  trithin  written  acording  to  the  tru  intent  and  meaning  in  all  Reepects  as 
i^tneaa  onr  lianda 

Thomas  ncwil  Seno'  on  the  account  of  Sam  Gridly 

Benjamin  Barnes  Thomas  ncwill  Se' 

John  ScovhI  hU  Tmttk 

John  Stanly  Junor  for  Joseph  gaylur 
Benjamin  Joans  on  the  acoont  of  John  Andrua 


5 


Bdmund  Scott  Juno*  his  <^  Beigamin  Joans 

nark  for  wilUam  lSg^n<^ 

'  in  rome  of  Jolin  Jadd 

William  JiuM  has  his  allotniont(^^ 

granted  to  him  by  the  comitee     \p  WilBam  Jadd 

acconfing  to  tlieir  act  febr  6  168u^ 

Steven  upaon  subscribes  on  the  acconnt  of  a  new  lott  thia  29  of  December 

1670. 

The  marlt  of  Steven  upeon 


Diguizea  by  Cooglc 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


81 


CHAPTER  IV. 

BUBStiilBERS  WUO  FINALLY  SECURED  THEIR  RIGHTS. 

The  number  of  persons  wlio  signed  the  articles  subsequently 
to  1674,  and  wlio  ultimately  became  ]>ropriet(>r!<.  is  nineteen, 
making  with  the  seventeen  on  the  list  of  l(j74  who  made 
good  their  rights,  thirty-six.  I  give  below  a  conij>lete  cata- 
logue of  their  names,  throwing  them  into  several  groups, 
placing  the  groups  in  the  order  in  which  the  individuals  are 
known  (or  are  supposed)  to  have  subscribed  the  articles  and 
complied  witli  the  conditions  they  imposed.  Those  of  the  two 
first  groups  signed  in  1C74 ;  those  of  the  third  in  1677-8  ; 
those  of  the  fourth  about  1079;  those  of  the  fifth  between  1682 
and  1705,  The  persons  who  have  a  star  ])reHxed  to  tlieir  names 
had  not  made  good  their  claims  as  proprietors,  in  Feb.  1682-3. 


ThooiM  Jiidd, 

£100 

•Thomas  Waraer, 

£100 

Edmiinrl  J^eott, 

100 

Widow  Warner, 

60 

JobD  Wclton, 

80 

•Thomaa  Newell, 

90 

Almbaiii  Andnua, 

80 

Edmand  Scott,  Jr., 

70 

Imao  Bronton, 

90 

Stephen  TTpeoo, 

60 

John  Stanley, 

100 

Bequnin  JoneHf 

100 

Samuel  Hikcoz, 

85 

•Abrdmm  Andmw,  Sd, 

100 

Joseph  Ilikoox, 

60 

John  Bronaon, 

80 

John  Ilopkinn, 

100 

John  Wftrner, 

90 

ThoniBS  Judd,  Jr., 

100 

John  Newen, 

100 

[Robert  Porter, 

100] 

Samuel  Seott, 

00 

*ThonuM  Hancoz, 

100 

Richard  Porter, 

60 

•Thomas  Riclia.aon, 

00 

Thomn''  Judd  (smith,) 

100 

•John  ('arriiigton, 

60 

Thilip  Judd, 

80 

•ObadUh  Richards, 

80 

John  Richards, 

80 

•TImotbj  Stanley, 

96 

Jeremiah  Peek, 

160 

*D»iiieI  Porter, 

90 

John  SonthoMtyd, 

160 

Benjfiniiij  Harnes, 

100 

£8,180 

•Josoph  (liijlordi 

80 

•John  ScoviU, 

80 

Digitizoa  by  Li(.)o^le 


32 


HISTORY  OF  WATERBCBT. 


The  name  of  Tiniotliy  Stanley,  in  die  above  catalogue,  oc- 
cupies the  place  of  "  Sergt.  John  Stanley  for  son,"  in  the  ori- 
ginal subscription  list,  he  appearing  to  take  possession  of  the  al- 
lotinent  thus  subscribed  for  by  his  fatlier.  In  the  same  wav, 
Daniel  Porter  (the  son)  and  Jolin  Newell  (the  son)  stand  in 
the  places  of  Daniel  Porter  for  son,"  and  <>f  "Tlionias  Newell 
for  son."  Thomas  Judd,  Jolm  StanU'V,  Jolm  Bronson,  and 
John  WanuT,  all  sijxners  of  1074,  have,  in  each  ease,  f/r.  at- 
tached to  their  names  in  the  original  list,  tliev  havini;  tatliers 
bearin*;  the  same  name.  After  thev  became  inliabitants  of 
Mattatuck  the  Jr.  was  omitted,  and  at  length,  when  their 
sons  had  <rrown  up,  they  were  called  Scn.y  in  each  instance, 
except  that  of  Stanley.  Robert  Porter's  name  is  omitted  (for 
what  reason  I  know  not)  from  all  the  lists  of  proprietors  made 
out  after  ICSS.  But  as  he  is  on  that  list,  owned  a  house  and 
lived,  and  finally  died,  in  Waterbury,  in  16S9,he  would  seem 
to  have  complied  with  the  conditions  of  a  proprietor.  Besides, 
after  his  death,  his  son  Thomas  sold  his  lands,  and  in  1700,  his 
£100  propriety,  to  John  Richards,  proving  his  rights  had  not 
been  forfeited.  We  might  suppose  that  Richards  name, 
which  appears  not  till  after  the  death  of  Porter,  was  intended  to 
occupy  the  place  of  the  latter,  were  it  not  for  the  fact  that  the 
proprieties  of  the  two  are  different,  that  of  Richards  being 
but  £80. 

The  following  ])a>sag('  relates  to  the  acceptance  of  Thomas 
Judd,  Jr.,  as  a  projirietor: 

Hartford  Jan  10*^  K.'^a  [IfiSH-l]  Thomas  Jiuld  Jun'  is  nccptcd  as  an  inhab- 
itant att  Mattatnck  his  faUxT  thonia.s  Judd  liaviiig  sifriufied  liia  desiros  of  the 
same  he  the  suyd  Thomas  Judd  Junor  Bubdcribing  tu  the  net  and  order  of  the 
comity  feb  tha  ft  1682  •  *  *  •  *  •  iu  being  determined  by  us  the  com- 
ittee  in  cam  any  grant  or  any  grants  be  made  by  the  inhabitants  of  mattatndi  to 
thomas  Judd  Junor  in  refarence  too  poseflion  of  Any  parsols  or  tracts  of  land  it  is 
hereby  made  void:  and  of  none  effect  not  with  standing  anything  to  the  contrary 

Samuel  Scott  was  made  a  proprietor  soon  after,  receiving 
probably  a  part  of  a  grant  to  Thomas  Judd,  Jr.,  "made  void" 
by  the  preceding  act  of  the  counnittee. 

MaUituck  Dcccmbc  >•  r?0  ]f.S4  y«  town  granted  to  Samuel  Scott  half  y  aIot> 
ment  formerly  granted  to  Uiomas  Judd  jonr  with  y^  exception  of  four  acres  to  be 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


uiyiiize<J-by  Google 


Google 


HISTOBT  OF  WATBBBDBT. 


33 


taken  out  of  y'  a  lotment  [for  a?]  great  lot — and  a  danitlon  of  moadow  with  y« 
Beit  of  J*  propriaton  in  j*  next  dmiitfaNi  of  meadow  lend  aoeording  to  a  llftj 
pownd  a  lot[nient]  wHli  j*  bona  lot  an  j*  eoath  id  of  steplien  nbaon  with  thee 
prottisala  y<  he  build  a  hous  according  to  articlea  within  four  jdia and  lioe  hero 
after  hie  houa  be  build  and  pay  j*  purcbae  of  a  fifty  pound  lot 

Samuel  Scott's  nauie  disappears  from  tlie  list  of  proprietors 
after  1088,  that  of  Jonathan  Scott  occupying  its  place,  the  lat- 
ter having  bought,  April  2Sth,  1691,  the  house  and  all  the 
lands  divided  and  undivided,  of  his  brother,  in  Waterbury. 

It  seems  there  was  some  doubt  about  the  proprietary  rights 
of  Stephen  Upson,  Kichard  Porter  and  Jonathim  Scott.  Tliis 
doubt  was  finally  the  origin  of  a  declaratory  act  in  1702-3, 
which  seems  to  have  settled  the  question : 

At  a  meeting  of  y*  propriators  in  waterbury  february  1702  j*  propriatora  de- 
clare y*  y»  propriators  for  y*  first  purchasinj»  of  j*  place  and  such  lui  stand  pos- 
seted of  alotments  according  to  y*  p;r,\n  ooniitys  act  with  Stephen  ubson  Richard 
porter  and  jouathau  scott  wbod  alotmeuts  ware  excepted  of  y*  commity  as  a  fifty 
pownde  a  lot  ment  apeic  ahaU  be  acknowledged  propriatory  inhabttanla  and  to  aet 
In  gluing  a  way  lands  In  propriatovy  aldp  and  for  y*  Aitor  no  more  to  act  In  y* 
propriaton  mwtingtben  one  for  a  abgeU  alotment 

Several  of  the  signers  had  the  amount  of  propriety  for  which 
they  at  first  subscribed  (given  above)  increased,  on  applica- 
tion, by  tlie  committee.  Here  are  extracts  from  the  record  re- 
lating to  Isaac  Bronson's  and  Samuel  Hikcox's  rights.  (Ben- 
jamin Judd,  it  will  be  remembered,  forfeited  his  claim.) 

Upon  further  coniidaration  we  haue  hereby  granted  benjamin  Judd  and  Isaac 
brownaon  shall  hauc  so  much  uplands  aded  to  their  alottinents  as  phall  mack  their 
medow  alotments  in  valew  of  cue  hundred  pounds  and  that  aditioa  to  be  aded  to 
their  reapecUue  eight  acre  lottii  already  granted    fcb.  6  1680 

Att  a  town  meeting  in  mattatodc  decern  29*^  IS8S :  there  waa  granted  to  aam*> 
hiekoz  an  edition  to  hie  alotment  eo  much  land  aa  ehan  make  vp  Me  lot  lo  be  a 
kondred  poun^  alotment  and  thia  addition  to  be  aded  to  hie  ey^t  acer  deoiymi 
y*  com~te  [comndttee]  granting  y*  same 

The  rights  of  Daniel  Porter  and  Timothy  Stanley  seem  also 
to  have  been  augmented,  each,  £5 ;  but  I  am  unable  to  say 
wlien.  Doubtless  it  was  dono  by  grant  of  the  committee. 
The  whole  increase,  in  this  way,  was  £35. 

3 


DigUizoa  by  CoOglc 


84 


HIBTOBY  OF  WATEBBUSY, 


It  will  be  recollected  that,  in  the  articles  of  settlement,  the 
committee  reserved  to  themselves  the  right  "to  lay  out  two 
or  three  allotments  at  their  best  discretion."  This  they  exer- 
cised by  setting  apart,  in  the  beginning,  tliree  proprieties  of 
£150  each,  for  the  common  benefit — 'Mor  public  and  pious 
uses,"— particularly  for  the  maintenance  of  religion,  and  the 
promotion  of  education.  These  were  called  great  lots,'* 
("greate  lotes,"  on  the  record.)  Two  of  them  were  giyen 
to  Mr.  Peck  and  Mr.  Southmayd  as  they  were  settled  suc- 
cessively in  the  ministry. 

A  declaratory  act  was  passed  in  1715,  rektive  to  Jeremiah 
Peck's  right,  as  follows : 

The  Proprietors  did  conclude  that  Mr.  Jeremiah  Peck  our  former  Minister  in 
bis  life  time  wu  Invested  with  one  hundred  k  fifty  Pound  propriety. 

The  sum  of  all  the  subscriptions  of  the  thirty-eix  persons  in 
the  above  list,  was  £3,130.  There  were  additions  made  after 
subscription  to  the  rights  of  certain  indiyiduals,  as  already 
stated,  in  all  of  £35,  which  sum  added  to  the  other,  makes  a 
total  of  £3,165.  Of  this  amount  there  was  subscribed  in  1674, 
by  thirty  persons,  and  afterwards  represented  by  them,  or  by 
those  who  were  accepted  in  equal  numbers,  in  their  places, 


the  sum  of   £2,580 

There  was  added  to  this  <'anew  lot''  for  Stephen 

Upson,  Dec.  29, 1679,  the  sum  of        -      -  -  50 

For  Isaac  Broneon's  addition,          ....  IQ 

For  Samuel  Ilickox's  addition,           -      -      -  -  15 

For  Daniel  Porter's  addition,          -      -      .       -  5 

For  Timothy  Stanley's  addition,          -       -       .  .  5 

P^)r  Samuel  Scott's  ^^half  an  allotment,"  ...  50 
For  Kiehard  Porter  the  otlier  half,  probably,  of  the  same,  50 

For  Tliomas  Judd,  Jr.,  j)r(>bably  a  new  allotment,  -  100 

For  Mr.  Peck  and  Mr.  Southmayd,  £150  each,      -  300 


£3,165 

As  a  general  rule,  a  propriety  once  subscribed  for,  and  se- 
cured by  a  compliance  with  the  articles,  went  in  the  name  of 
the  original  signer.  If  a  person  sold  out  a  part,  or  the  whole 


HISTORT  OF  WATESBUKT 


85 


of  his  rigUt,  or  if  he  died  and  liis  interest  was  distributed 
among  liis  heirs,  tlie  propriety  was  kept,  togetlicr  on  the  record 
and  stood  in  the  name  of  the  first  owner.  If  a  man  liad  a 
chiim,  derived  from  others,  he  must  show  tliat  he  obtained  his 
title  by  regular  conveyance  from  tlie  original  owner.  Kights 
in  the  undivided  lands  were  transferred  like  other  real  estate 
by  deeds,  w^arrantee,  or  quit  claim.  A  man,  for  instance,  sold 
a  £5  or  £10  riglit  or  propriety,  and  the  deed  was  recorded,  the 
record  being  evidence  of  title. 

There  are  a  few  instances,  however,  in  which  the  name  was 
changed  on  a  change  of  ow^nership.  When  Tliomas  Judd, 
Sen.,  died  in  1702-3,  his  £100  right  went  into  the  pOBBeesion 
of  his  son  John,  and  John  Judd's  name,  ever  after,  is  entered 
in  the  place  of  his  father'a.  Benjamin  Jones  died  in  1689, 
and  Gapt.  Thomas  Jndd,  in  1715,  purchased  his  right  From 
that  date,  Thomas  Judd  appears  twice  in  the  snceessiye  lists  of 
proprietors,  once  as  ''Thomas  Jndd,"  and  again  as  ''Thomas 
Jndd  Jones,"  while  Benjamin  Jones  is  heard  of  no  more. 
Again,  the  original  Iliomas  Jndd,  Jr.,  conveyed,  in  1721,  to 
Samuel  Hall  of  Wallingford,  his  propriety.  After  that,  the 
right  goes  in  the  name  not  of  Samuel  Hall  Judd,  (according  to 
the  rule  in  the  preceding  case,)  nor  of  Samuel  Hall,  but  of 
"Thomas  Judd,  Jr.  Halls." 

The  above,  three  in  number,  are  all  the  alterations  of  names 
wliieli  resulted  from  a  change  of  ownership,  (unlcKs  John 
liiclianls'  name  was  substituted  for  Robert  Porter  in  conse- 
quence of  such  a  change.)  And  in  adopting  these,  it  will 
be  observed,  no  uniform  rule  was  followed. 

The  snb>cribers  to  the  articles  were,  in  the  beginning,  the 
joint  owners  of  all  the  lands  of  the  town,  each  having  as 
many  shares  or  rights,"  so  to  speak,  as  he  subscribed  pounds. 
A  persim  in  the  first  instance,  might  subscril)e  for  any  sum, 
not  exceeding  a  £100  allotment,  according  to  article  II,  thus 
securing,  within  certain  limits,  such  proportional  interest  as 
he  pleased.  This  limitation  was  designed  to  prevent  specula- 
tion, and  to  restrain  individuals  from  obtaining  too  much 
land.  The  committee  wished  to  secure  actual  settlers,  and  as 
far  as  consistent,  equality  of  condition  and  possessions.  The 


DigUizoa  by  CoOglc 


36 


HISTOST  OF  WATEBBDBT. 


Bum  of  all  tho  Bubscriptions,  as  they  at  first  Btood,  was  £2,580, 
or  twenty-five  hundred  and  eighty  shares.  Each  person,  then, 
who  liad  a  £100  propriety,  had  a  title  to  one-twenty-sixth  ]);irt 
(within  a  t'racti(^n)  of  all  the  niidividcd  hinds  in  thv  town.<hi}). 
The  admission  of  new  proprietors,  or  additions  to  tlie  rii^hts 
or  shares  of  the  old  signers,  of  c<»urse  diniinislad  tlie  projjor- 
tion  of  eacli  one  wliose  ijrojjriety  had  remained  unaltered- 
By  augmenting  the  num])t'r  of  proprietors  one-fifth,  or  rather 
hy  increasing  tlie  nnniher  of  shares  nearly  one-third,  a  pound 
right  came  to  have  a  greatly  reduced  land  value.  Tlie  cost 
of  the  original  purchases  of  tlie  Indians  was  borne  hj  share- 
holders,  according  to  each  man's  interest.  Expenses  incQiTed 
for  the  common  benefit,  were  defrayed  by  the  same  rule. 
Boads  and  fences  to  inclose  the  common  field,  were  built  by  a 
tax  on  shares.  Article  III  required  that  all  public  charges,  in 
the  first  years  of  the  settlement,  should  *'be  paid  proportiona- 
bly  to  meadow  allotmentB,"  and  meadow  allotments  "  were 
proportioDed  to  propriety. 

Each  Bettler  was  to  hare,  in  the  commencement,  according 
to  the  articles,  eight  acres  for  a  home  lot.  These  eight  acre 
lots,  as  has  already  been  stated,  were  at  first  located "  on 
the  old  town  plot;  but  as  the  town  center  was  changed, 
there  was  at  that  time  no  occasion  to  do  more,  and  they  were 
not  regularly  laid  out  and  surveyed,  till  1780.  As  there  were 
not  lots  enough  for  all,  a  few  of  the  original  subscribers,  and 
all  the  most  recent  ones,  had  to  take  their  lots  somewhere 
else.* 


*  *•  Nov.  tt,  1726.  It  wu  by  Tote  afrccd  that  If  the  Committee  for  the  Old  Towd  platt  Letts  Cank 
find  an  the  Old  Tawn       Lelti  fur  nil  tlie  OricfoBl  Froprlctora,  fhoM  that  are  Waatliiff  inaj 

bare  Liberty  to  tflVc  thera  lip  in  the  rntMrldtd  L«nd§."    Pro.  Book,  p.  FO. 

The  record  of  the  lajrlog  out  and  dlatrlbution  of  these  lota  la  particular!/  loierestlng,  becauac 
It  ftambbea  tb*  flftt  autbeDtle  IM,  aa  ftr  aa  It  taci«  of  tiie  orfghiat  propirletera  «f  Watarlwry. 

Tht  rf  »rc  iliirty  iiamtii,  It  will  be  potlccd,  corref  ponding  with  llie  nutt  l  i  r  wJio  fjrKt  slptied  the 
artlclea.  If  a  algner  bad  forfeited  hia  right,  hla  nama  la  omitted,  and  that  of  a  anbatlkulo,  who 
had  coaspllcd  wtlfa  tli«  coBdlUoBa,  to  toacrtcd.  Tbera  to  eoa  excrpttoD,  howtvar.  Davtd  Car* 
p«ot«r'a  name  la  here,  though  be  did  not "  fulAll."  I  don't  know  why  it  la  foiiodi  and  am  unable 
to  aay  who  took  hla  place.  Tea.  Jadd*a  a»mt  la  entered  twice,  once,  I  aiippoar,  for  Bet^amin 
Jooaa,  whoae  propriety  be  bongbt  fa  1T1S  tleat.  Timothy  Stanley *a  name  la  alao  Inaerted  twier, 
aBOafeabtlc^B  fur  that  of  sootebody  whose  right  he  purchaacd.  Of  the  tw  o  "  pri  nt  lotn," 
one  waa  for  achoola  and  the  other  for  the  aalalater.  The  latter  west  to  llr.  Peck.  Tbeae  laat 
lota  avail  the  whole  noinbcr  to  tblrtyHvo. 
»A  Itot  of  Iba  Hoaaa  Laiti  aa  tba  Old  Tom  FlaH  Bet  oat  by  a  Oonnttlco  Uoot.  Tianolbir  Stan- 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


HUTOBT  OF  WATBBB17BT* 


87 


The  new  house  lots  were  distributed  in  the  same  way,  each 
proprietor  being  entitled  to  one,  the  choice  being  determined 
by  lot.  "  A  three  acre  lot  for  pasture,"  seems  also  to  have 
been  (granted  by  the  committee,  in  the  beginning,  to  each  set- 
tler. This  appears  not  from  direct  evidence,  bnt  from  allu- 
sions like  the  following,  under  date  of  March  Uth,  1678-9. 

And  itt  is  ordered  that  Lieut  Hamuel  Stfolo  Williim  Judd  and  John  Stanly  Jun' 
Lay  out  to  the  proprietors  tbeir  thre  acre  lottH  that  are  (p'onted  to  them  accord* 
ing  to  former  agrcemeat. 

It  appears  that  in  addition  to  the  above,  each  proprietor 
had  eight  acres  (called  his  eiglit  acre  lot granted  him  by 
a  vote  of  the  committee,  Feb.  6th,  1682-8 : — 


Ij,  Doctr  Daniel  Porter  Sear  4  JDcMoa  ThM  Ulckcox.  We  btgan  on  tli«  WmI  Tter,  at  the  eeoth 
Bud  and  found  aa  follow*  i— 


1. 
8. 
8. 
4. 
B. 
6. 
7. 
8. 


9. 
10. 
11. 
18. 
IX 
14 
15. 
lA. 


John  Droiuwoni  Lott 
Edmund  Scotu,  Lott 
Isaac  Brouniiuns  Lott 
Samuel  lllckcox  aenr.  Lott 
Doctr  Porteis  • 
A  Great  Lott 
A  Great  Lott 
#ohn  Warner  — 
Then  an  Eight  Road  hUhway  South  of 
Warners  Lott  that  Euna  East  and  Waat 
aa  the  houm  Ijt, 
Thomas  Richardmu  Lott 
Joaepb  lllckcox  — 
Lieat.  TIao  fltaakja  — 
John  Newelto  — 
Bealm^OMa  -> 
Ueal.  Jeha  Btanlayt  — 
Deacon  Juddj  — 
John  Uopkina  — 


Lott 


Then  we  began  at  the  Sooth  MaA  of  tha  1 
Teer  4  found 
1.   Deacon  Judda 

Darid  Carpentere  — 
Abraham  Andrm  — 
Lieut.  Juddi  — 
Edmund  Scotta  Senr 
Lieut.  Tlmo  Stanlejs  — 
Abraham  AndrnH,  Osoper  — 
Dcujm  Darnee  — 
Tbomae  Newel**  — 
Then  Ri^'ht  Rode  highway  lo  Baa  Eaat  4  Waal 
or  aa  the  Lotte  lia 
Nl  Obedlah  BIflhaidi  lieU 
II.   Thoma*  WarnetS  — 

13.  JohnScovUa  — 
tX  Jahn  Oarriaftaas  « 

14.  John  Weltona  — 

15.  Daniel  Wamen  — 
If.  Tboflaaa  Jade  — 


3. 
8. 
4. 
S. 
6. 
T. 
8. 
«. 


I  iereral  Lotta  in  the  K*-it  Teer  Butt  veat  on  highway. 
The  iereral  Lotta  in  the  Went  Teer  Butt  Eaat  oa  highway. 

feand  bjr  the  Committee 


DAXrKt  PORTKa 

Taoaai  Hicaooz 
TtMoniT  BrAaur.** 


The  old,  familiar  namca  which  we  do  not  And  In  this  catalogue,  are  thoae  of  Thomea  Haneex, 
whaalgnad  in  1674,  (but  who  afterwards  forfeited  hU  right*  and  waa  obliged  to  Uke  hi*  ebaaee 
aa  a  new  aubticriher,)  and  of  Joneph  Oaylord,  »h«  <>ifrTied  In  1677-S,  and  of  iereral  others  who 
became  proprietors  at  a  later  period — Stephen  Upaou,  Elchard  Porter,  PhUlp  Judd,  Jonathan 
Seott,  John  Richards,  John  Southmayd  aad  Jeha  Jadd,  tha  lait,  hawavar,  hitag  rcprceentcd  hi 
theii«tby  Lieut.  Ju.id.  All  thiM,  I«app«M,  anittlBg  lhalael,hMl  ta  ga  la  tha  Badtrttad  laadf 
for  their  eight  acre  lota. 


Diguizea  Ly  Li(.)0^1c 


33 


mSTOJlY  OF  WATEBBUBY, 


Itt  li  Chraated  tint  Mth  proiiriator  m  addlaooal  to  ther  fenuer  grants  ali«n  eoth 
inbabitaal  lurae  dgbl  men  pr  nnn  layad  out  to  them  in  ancb  pboea  within  tlieir 
towne  boundi)  &s  the  inhahitaots  shall  agre  to  bo  layed  out  bj  penona  choaen  by 
the  inhabitants  of  tha  plaee. 

These  several  parcels  of  laiul,  then — the  town  plot  eight 
acre  lot«,  the  new  home  lots,  tlie  three  ac  re  lots  for  pasture,  and 
tlio  eight  acre  lots  of  1GS2-3 — were  distrilmted,  at  the  outset, 
without  reference  to  propriety.  ^Vitli  these  exceptions,  and 
also  with  the  exception  of  certain  ^pecial  <::rants  hereafter  to  be 
referred  to,  the  lands  of  Waterbury  were,  fnun  time  to  time, 
as  there  was  need  of  them  for  improvement,  distributed 
among  the  j)roprietor^5  in  the  way  of  division.  The  land  thus 
obtained  was  called  an  allotment,  and  the  same  term  was  ap- 
plied to  the  propiietoiy  right,  or  the  right  of  allotment. 
These  diviaionB  were  nothing  more  than  divideuda  on  ahares, 
usually  so  many  acres,  or  so  many  parts  of  an  acre,  on  each 
pound  propriety.  Tliere  was  occasionally,  particularly  in  the 
eaily  years  of  the  settlement,  a  modification  of  the  rule  which 
commonly  gave  some  advantage  to  the  small  stockholders,  or 
proprietors.  The  divisions  were  repeated  at  intervals,  till 
there  was  nothing  more  to  divide,  or  till  the  entire  township 
passed  into  the  hands  of  individuals.  The  first  one  was  made 
at  the  time  the  settlement  was  commenced,  under  the  direc- 
tion  of  the  committee,  when  the  meadows  were  distributed, 
or  the  ''meadow  allotments''  taken  up.  The  first  made 
by  authority  of  the  proprietors  themselves,  was  in  1688,  and 
the  last  in  ISOl. 

Tlie  proprietors,  as  has  already  been  mentioned,  disposed 
of  their  lands  by  division,  except  iutlie  cases  in  whicli  reasons 
were  suj)posed  to  exist  for  sjiecial  grants.  Tliat  the  division 
might  be  e([uital)ly  made,  it  was  the  jiractice  to  draw  lots  for 
a  choice  of  lands.  lie  who  drew  number  one,  was  to  have 
the  fin<t  clioiee,  having  liberty  to  select  from  any  of  the  lands 
proposed  t<i  be  distributed,  lie  who  drew  number  two,  liad 
the  second  choice,  and  so  on.  A  pemm's  chance  was  liis  lot, 
and  the  thing  ac<piircd  (the  land)  was  also  his  lot.  After  the 
order  of  choice  had  been  determined,  a  certain  day,  distant 
enough  to  allow  time  for  examining  the  lauds  and  making  a 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


HIBTOXT  or  WATKBBUET. 


89 


selection,  was  specitied,  on  wliicli  tlie  laying  out  was  to  com- 
mence. Running  on  from  tliis  fixed  time,  each  proprietor 
was  to  have  a  day  determined  by  his  lot  drawn,  (sometimes 
two  were  to  have  two  daySy)  on  which  he  might  take  up  his 
lands  and  liave  them  surv^eycd  by  the  town  measurers.  It  he 
neglected  to  do  thin,  in  tlie  time  allowed,  he  must  wait  till  all 
the  othen  had  had  their  turns.  In  some  instances,  in  order 
to  equalize  the  chances,  or  compensate  for  good  or  iU  luck, 
the  land  to  be  drawn  for  was  divided  into  two  equal  parcels, 
with  a  distinct  lot  for  each,  (two  dmughtt,  the  record  sajs.) 
The  first  was  drawn  in  the  waj  described.  In  the  second  lot^ 
he  who  had  the  first  chance  in  the  first  drawing,  now  had  the 
last,  and  he  who  before  had  ihe  last  now  had  the  first,  the 
order  of  choice  being  reyersed.  Certain  regulations  and  re- 
strictions were  established,  at  different  times,  designed  to 
govern  action  in  taking  up  the  lands,  and  to  secure  the  com- 
mon weal,  by  preventing  an  abuse  of  j)rivilege8. 

Tlie  following  extractB  indicate  the  steps  tliat  were  taken 
preparatory  to  the  proprietors'  iirst  land  division  of  1G88  : 

Att  A  town  mettliig  ia  mattelnck  deoem  80  (1684)  the  town  determiiMd  that 
there  ahonld  be  effiuitioii  of  ell  y*  endenided  meedow  to  each  proprietor  accord* 

ing  to  his  meadow  aUotment  former  grants  exseptod 

Dec  31  1684  y*  town  mad  choys  of  serg  Judd  sara"  hikcox  and  Johnstandlya 
commity  to  uew  and  prepare  al  y*  undeuided  meadow  for  allolmetit  •  •  •  it 
was  determined  y'  each  man  should  haue  y*  charg  of  laying  out  hyt)  lot 

Genevary:  9*  1686  y«  town  deohve  j*  wmdc  of  f  oommitj  cbom  deem  80' 
(1694)  [1684]  namely  ergjadd  sr  etandly  k  flam>l  hickoz  wae  to  new  and  pre- 
pare all  y*  undeuided  meadow  up  y«  great  Bluer  and  op  Steele  brook  and  hancox 
brook  and  all  y*  branchea  up  y«  fiiiier. 

I  have  been  unable  to  ascertain  how  much  land  there  was 
distributed  in  tliis  division.  At  any  rate,  there  was  not 
enou^li  to  be  found  in  the  ])laces  indicated  uj)  the  river  and  up 
Ilancox's  and  Steel's  Brook,  to  give  a  full  2)roi>ortion  to  all 
the  proprietors,  so  that  several  had  to  take  a  part  of  their  al> 
lotnients  somewhere  else. 

This  division  bears  date  April  17th,  1688.  I  tranacribe  the 
record  which  gives  a  list  of  the  proprietors  who  were  concern- 
ed in  this  \md  diatribntion*  It  is  the  earliest  formal  list  now 


Digitizea  by  Cooglc 


40 


mSTOBT  OF  WATERBUSY, 


extant,  made  out  after  the  town  was  incorporated,  and  under 

circumstances  which  give  it  autliority.  It  is  interesting  and 
important.   The  amount  of  propriety  is  not  btatcd. 


TiiBOtny  oUuiiiij 

aou&tu  poncr 

btepbeii  uDton 

lIKIIDM  viUlO  JiUr 

HMnW6B  Boots 

nioiuwii  ponor 

dftniel  porter 

Mr  fraysr 

lljOIIIilS  WalUW 

fitnitn  iii/lfi 

Bllillll  1  lllKl 

John  brunf*on 

obadiah  ru-hurda 

isaac  bruiifion 

daniell  waroer 

John  wdton 

Jtdmiludly 

odDMUi  aeott  Jmer 

John  womor 

The  nueU 

John  nocU 

jn  bopkina 

John  Bcouell 

ben  barns 

John  carrinton 

ben  joaaes 

thornas  bancQX 

TbODIM  IQcllMOII 

phiUp  judd 

JoMph  gftjlard 

abraham  andnii  M 

Saaiii  bikcoz 

Boiign  Jndd 

ednun  Soott  aenor 

abnham  andrma  ji 

Here  are  thirty-four  namesy  two  lees  than  the  full  number, 
at  a  aubseqnent  period.  Who  Hr.  Frayaer  was,  I  know  not. 
Hia  name  is  not  found,  in  any  other  instance,  upon  the  record. 
It  may,  temporarily,  have  been  substitnted  for  that  of  Joseph 
Hickoz,  who  had  removed  and  recently  died.  Possibly 
Frayser  was  Hickoz's  executor  or  administrator.  We  miss 
in  liiis  catalogue,  Joseph  Hickoz  and  John  Richards.  Doubt- 
less Bichards  had  not  yet  become  a  ])r()prietor.  I  have  al- 
ready stated  that  he  purchased  Robert  Porter's  right,  and  that 
we  ought  to  suppose  that  lie  tifterwards  stood  in  liis  place, 
were  it  not  for  u  discrepancy  iu  tiie  amount  of  their  propri- 
eties. 

If  wo  (lednct  two  fruni  this  list,  and  add  two,  and  then 
again  add  Mr.  Pock  and  Mr.  South niavd,  alk  rwards  made 
propi  ietors,  we  complete  the  catalogue,  having  thirty-six  in 
number. 

The  next  land  division,  so  far  as  can  he  gatlicrcd  from  the 
records,  was  in  1G91-2.  The  following  passage  is  all  I  can 
iind  relating  to  it.  It  is  taken  from  the  old,  unbound  Propri- 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


HIBTOBT  OT  WATBBBUXT. 


41 


ctors'  Book,  page  20tli,  aud  it  is  in  the  liaud  of  John  Stan- 
ley:— 

Att  a  meeting  of  the  propriatora  in  WAtterfoory:  march  the  16  169^  there  ma 
gruited :  to  eeth  propriator :  inhabetuit  a  deuitlon  of  ontlands  of  ten  aeres  to  a 
himdrad  pound  alotment  and  flue  aeraa  to  a  fifty  pounde  alotmente  and  so  proper^ 

aonablc  acording  to  mens  alotmente  granted  by  the  conijty  for  the  plas  that  is  to 
say  to  tho3  that  hould  the  poseson  of  the  medow  alotmenta  by  their  own  righte : 
ecth  man  to  tacke  itt  up  by  euckseson  ai\er  the  lots  are  drawn  the  finit  too  men 
to  hane  two  days  liberty  to  tack  bia  land :  and  bringe  in  his  report  to  ensign  Jiidd 
who  is  to  hy  ifc  oat  two  them :  and  so  to  haue  on  day  to  two  men. 

« 

Besides  the  method  by  division,  the  lands  ^ve^c  disposed  of 
by  grant.  1  liave  already  referred  to  the  home  lots,  the  three 
acre  lots  and  the  eight  acre  lots,  bestowed  ])y  the  committee  in 
the  beginning.  These  grants  were  continued  for  the  purpose  of 
seenriiig  some  cnnimon  good,  (as  in  the  case  of  the  grants  to 
the  mill  and  for  the  use  of  the  ministr}';)  or  with  the  design 
of  correcting  inequalities  and  lurthenng  tiie  ends  of  impartial 
justice. 

One  w'ould  suppose  that  our  fathers  need  not  have  com- 
plained for  want  of  land,  conaidenng  their  poseessionB.  Some 
of  them,  however,  considered  themBelves  "  straitene<l"  as  in- 
diyiduals,  and  applied  to  the  committee  for  relief.  Belief  was 
vouchsafed,  as,  for  instance : 

And  wharaa  steuen  upeon  mack<;  romplaint  that  ho  h  much  straitened  in  hig 
presant  po-jcsion  of  lands  wo  prant  iinc  adition  acording  to  what  the  town  se  cauH 
liic]  tu  bit  layd  out  by  Tho  Judd  Juhu  btauly  and  the  present  townsmen*  febcy 
6  1680 

And  wharas  Daniel!  Portor  [and]  Thomas  richa'^on  mack  complaint  that  they  are 
in  want  of  Land  to  imjiKnic  w  v  grant  lil>»  i  ty  to  tin-  towno  to  add  to  wliat  tiioy 
haue  acording  to  thoir  gtunl  (ii-cro.--tion  and  what  sliail  bo  alowtd  hy  th*-  towne 

shall  be  laj'  out  [to]  them  by  Benjamin  Judd  and  John  stunl)  aud  al^  tu  lay  out 
what  belongs  to  tho  ndlle  and  miler  febey  6  1680 

Job  Stanley,  it  seems,  was  unfortunate  in  his  allotments, 
and  prayed  for  more  land  in  the  way  of  compensation.  The 
committee  consented  and  ad^ed  the  grant. 


Digitizoa  by  Li(.)o^le 


42 


HISTOBY  OF  WAT1:;B£USY. 


UpoD  ibe  petion  [petltloD  of]  aergent  Jo  stanly  that  he  may  be  aoomadated 
with  four  or  fine  acn  of  medow  bmd  up  the  river  allthoug  itt  be  four  or  fine  miles 

off  from  the  townp  in  considnnition  of  the  meannes  of  his  Alotrncnta  we  the 
comity  doe  adtii.'^  the  inhabitauU  to  a  compljrauce  tharunto:  The  forgoinge  C0tt< 
eluUoa  sigued  fob  7th  1682 

John  Talcott 
John  wadsworth 
KichoOhnsted 

Aft«r  the  committee  had  withdrawn  from  an  active  parti- 
cipation in  the  affairs  of  the  plantation,  the  pro})rietor8  con- 
tinued to  make  si>ecial  f^^rants  of  land  whenever  occasion  call- 
ed for  tlieni.  At  lii:?t,  these  grants  were  soniewliat  pparintjly 
mad(%  but  they  gradually  became  common,  till  at  length  the 
lands  were  given  away  with  a  })rul"use  liberality.  Often  the 
object  was  to  encourage  some  undertaking,  or  business,  or 
trade,  calculated  to  be  beneiicial  to  the  ])eoj)le;  Buch  as  tlie 
erection  of  a  saw  mill,  or  fulling  mill,  or  tan  yard.  When 
there  was  no  purpose  but  to  distribute  the  land  as  fast  as  it 
could  be  improved,  among  those  to  whom  it  belonged,  there 
was  an  endeavor  to  preserve  a  sort  of  equality — ^to  regard  the 
different  and  just  claims  of  the  recipiants.  Land,  however, 
was  abundant  and  not  sufficiently  valuable  or  in  demand,  to 
make  generosity  a  difficult  virtue.  A  main  design  was  to  en- 
courage the  settlement  of  the  town,  and  extend  the  borders  of 
agriculture.  A  wilderness  was  to  be  subdued,  and  workers 
were  wanted.  If  a  man  proposed  to  take  up  a  tract  of  land 
and  cultivate  it,  he  was  considered  as  offering  a  fair  equivalent 
for  it  All  were  benefited  by  his  labor.  If  a  person  follow- 
ed some  trade,  considered  as  of  first  importance  in  the  new 
plantation,  as  that  of  a  blacksmith  or  clothier,  he  was  regard- 
ed with  special  favor,  and  a  grant  to  him  was  allowed  to  be  a 
good  investment.  If  an  individual,  not  an  inhabitant,  who 
would  make  a  good  citizen,  could  be  induced  by  a  few  acres 
for  pasture,  or  a  tract  of  boggy  meadow,  to  settle  in  the  town, 
the  proprietors  thought  they  made  a  profitable  bargain. 

Jan.  21st,  lGSI)-90,  there  were  grants  of  land  to  many  of 
the  proprietors,  seven  acres  to  each,  the  lots  to  be  improved 
as  "hogfields'' or  hog  enclosures.   Into  these  the  swine  ap- 


Digitizoa  by  Li(.)0^le 


HISTOBT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


43 


pear  to  have  been  turned,  in  llie  siunnier  season,  to  root  the 
ground,  to  piek  up  the  nuts  and  tlius  obtain  tlieir  living.  Iliese 
"  lields"  8eeni  to  have  been  east  of  the  town,  on  and  near  Fann- 
ingtou  road,  in  the  neighborhood  of  tlie  long  wigwam.  Hog 
Pound,  or  Beaver  Fond  Brook,  and  Turkey  Hill.  I  quote 
a  passage  from  the  record: 

At  the  name  meeting  the  proprietor  granted  to  samuell  hickox  8'  seauen  a  cers 
of  land  oo  the  hill  on  the  WMt  side  of  hoog  pound  broke  on  the  same  condition 
ricliard  porter  had  hia  jaa  21  1689 

One  would  naturally  suppose  that  this  use  of  land  for 
keeping  swine  was  the  origin  of  the  name  Hog  Found,  by 
which  the  district  was  known  till  a  very  recent  period.  But 
it  will  be  observed  that  some  of  the  tracts  are  located  on  Hog 
Pound  Brook,  showing  that  the  name  was  in  existence  at  an 
earlier  period.  Most  likely,  however,  the  lands  had  been  em- 
ployed, in  some  instances,  for  a  simOar  purpose,  previous  to  the 
date  of  the  grants  named.  The  district  is  now  known  by  the 
more  decorous  name  of  East  Farms. 

At  first  it  was  not  usual  for  the  proprietors  to  attach  any 
conditions  to  the  grants  of  land,  except  they  were  "not  to  j)re- 
judice  highways  and  former  grants."  At  length,  however,  in- 
dividuals who  had  resided  long  enougli  in  the  town  to  se- 
cure tlieir  estates,  began  to  show  a  disposition  to  leave.  Jo- 
8ej>li  Ilicknx  removed  in  1G85,  Thonies  llancox  in  1687,  and 
many  otliers  soon  after.  The  course  was  tlien,to  a  considerable 
extent,  changed.  Those  who  were  not  proprietors,  but  the  sons 
of  those  who  were,  no  longer  received  unconditional  grants. 
Sometimes  they  were  to  build  a  })ortion  of  the  common  fence 
as  a  consideration.  Usually  they  were  recpiired  to  reside  in 
town,  not  oS  and  on,  but  *4n  a  steady  way,'^  four  years,  often 
five,  and  occasionally  even  bix  years.  Sometiims,  particu- 
larly if  they  received  house-lots,  they  were  '^to  build  a  tenant- 
able  house  according  to  articles.'' 

Sometimes  the  proprietors  themselves  were  subjected  to 
conditions.  For  instance,  Jan.  3d,  1686-7.  Abndiam  An- 
druss,  Sen.,  had  five  acres  of  land  giren  him  on  Little  Brook, 
which  were  to  be  forfeited  if  he  went  away  in  four  years. 


DigUizea  by  CoOgle 


mSTOBY  OF  WAXEBBUBT. 


Isaac  Bronson  and  John  AVelton  liad  grants  in  1C94-5,  which 
were  to  hold  good  only  on  condition  they  remained  in  the 
town  four  years.  Similar  restrictions  were  imposed  in  otlier 
cases.  Tliere  was  a  distrnst  even  of  the  fathers  of  the  hL-ttle- 
nient.  Many  were  gone  away,  and  others  were  ])rei)aring  to 
follow.  Tlxese,  taken  in  connection  with  other  things  to  be 
noticed  hereafter,  occAioued,  very  naturally,  the  greatest  dis- 
couragement. 

The  frequent  refusal  of  those  who  had  signed  the  articles  to 
complj  with  the  conditions  which  they  prescribed,  and  the 
lagj^urd  movements  and  long  delays  of  those  who  intended 
ultimate  compliance,  were  the  cause  of  much  dissatisfaction 
and  early  complaint  on  the  part  of  the  planters,  and  of  strin- 
gent action  by  t]ie  committee.  I  quote : — 

Att  a  melting  of  the  comite  for  mattatuck:  on  the  26  of  nouembcr  1679: 
wherefts  wc  haue  rcceiued  iuforniatioD  by  some  of  the  iuhabitant«  bcloaging  to 
that  plaee  that  [aonw]  of  the  propriaton  to  whom  alotments  ware  granted  hatie 
hiHierto  negleeted  the  eettlenieiit  of  tton  aetnee  and  fimillee  theve  to  the  great 
diflcouragment  and  weakening  of  the  hands  of  thoee:  that  are  Alredj  upon  the 
place  with  their  fann-lys 

We  haue  thought  uieet  to  determine  and  resolue  that  nil  Hueh  propriators  aa 
shall  uot  be  persoDallj  with  their  famcUes  inhabiting  att  mattatuck  by  the  l&st  of 
may  neit:  enaeulng  and  ther  to  aUde  shall  fiirfitt  all  thdr  title  property  and 
Interest  In  any  alotments  granted  to  them  att  mattatuck  to  be  ^qiosed  by  the 
comity  to  such  other  as  they  shall  aprouc  oft 

Aho  wc  iloQ  further  determine  that  all  purh  inhabitant8  as  shall  not  erect  a 
mantion  hous  hy  the  lust  of  may  comr  tuclue  month  Aeording  to  a  former  article 
to  that  purpose  shall  forfit  all  their  right  and  title  iu  \ixudH  att  mattatucko  afor^iid. 

Soon  after,  an  order  was  passed  designed  to  secure  prompt 
action  and  faithfulness  to  engagements  on  the  part  of  new 
Bubecribers. 

Further  itt  is  agred  by  v«  that  in  ca.<ie  any  doe  apere  desiring  alotments  ther 
[they]  shall  Huhscritie  to  nri'^inal  articles  and  inpag  nlNo  to  erect  a  dwelling 
hous  aeording  to  dcnientions  [recjnired  by]  8aid  articles  within  one  year  after  sub- 
Bcription  and  settle  with  his  or  their  fiuuelies  vpon  the  place  within  that  time  oth. 
erwis  to  forfU  all  their  grant  of  land  and  right  tbeiin:  to  be  disposed  to  sndi 
others  as  the  condty  shall  Jvdg  meet  feb  6  1S80 

Still  there  were  hesitation  and  procrastination  on  the  part  of 
many  proprietors.  Some  neglected  to  build,  others  to  reside 


Digitized  by  Google 


mSTOBY  OF  WATESBUST. 


45 


in  tlie  place,  and  others  to  bring  their  fiimilies.  Tlic  com- 
plaints became  londer  and  more  frequent.  The  committee, 
for  a  lon<^  time  rehictant  to  act,  were  finally  obliged  to  take 
decisive  measnrer^.  They  passed  the  act  known  as  the  "  Act 
of  Feb.  Gth,  KlS-i."  It  deehired  tlie  allotments  ot"  several  de- 
linquent proin'ietors,  Ijeiijamiii  Judd,  Samnel  Judd  and 
Thomas  Ilancox,  to  he  coiidenuied  as  forfeited,"  uncondi- 
tionally. The  same  sentence  was  passed  upon  the  allotments 
of  Timothy  Stanley,  Josejdi  Gaylord,  John  Carrington,  Abra- 
ham Audruss,  cooper,  Tliomas  Newell,  Daniel  Porter,  Tliomas 
Warner,  Thomas  Richason,  Obadiah  Bichards  and  Jolm 
ScotUI;  but  upon  condition  of  their  Bubmition  and  rcf- 
onnation  with  tlieir  cohabitation  upon  the  place  one  complete 
ycre  as  a  dision  all  [additional]  to  the  four  ycrs  Injoined  "  by 
the  articles,  their  rights  were  to  be  restored.  It  also  required 
new  subscribers  to  reside  in  the  place  "  the  fall  term  of  four 
yers  in  a  stedy  way  and  manor  with  their  famelies,*'  and 
all  persons  accepted  as  proprietors,  after  its  date,  were  to  sign 
the  act.  Thomas  Kancoz  signed  it  as  a  new  subscriber.  A 
few  others,  afterwards  admitted,  did  the  same. 

We  whose  [luunes]  Rre  vnder  writen  doe  subeeribe  to  a  fiUtlifoll  raboiitkm  and 
obaeruation  of  the  act  of  the  eomitj  one  the  other  eide  of  tide  leafe  febnarj  6 
1S82: 

HubHcribcd  this  4  of  June  83     Thomas  hanoox 
getiuary  10:  83  Tliomas  Judd  Jua' 

May  26  S4  Robert  porter 

Jane  18  87  phiUpJudd 

Timothy  Stanley  and  the  nine  others  whoee  names  are  men- 
tioned in  the  same  connection,  "  submitted  and  reformed," 
and  thus  refrained  possession  of  their  land. 

The  aet  of  removal  to  a  new  settlement  in  the  time  of  wliicli 
I  am  writing  was  a  solemn  thing.  It  was  undertaken  only 
after  certain  t'nrinalities  and  much  prayer.  The  Bible  was 
consulted,  and  the  aid  of  the  cliurch  sought.  There  was 
much  and  earnest  endeavor  to  ascertain  the  indications  of 
Providence.  Then,  as  now,  liowcver,  it  was  generally  found, 
at  last,  that  the  linger  of  Providence  pointed  in  the  same  di- 


DigUizoa  by  CoOglc 


46 


HI6TOKT  OF  WAISBBUBT 


rection  as  the  inclinations  of  tli<«Be  who  sought  guidance.  By 
this  remark,  however,  I  do  not  mean  to  impugn  the  motives 
or  question  the  sincerity  of  our  forefathers,  or  the  good  men 
of  our  day. 

Tile  extract  given  beh)W,  i.s  tVoni  tlie  Fannington  churcli 
record.  It  is  an  answer  to  an  application  for  advice.  Tlie 
paper  is  very  shrewdly  written,  and  contains  much  wordly 
wisdom,  to  say  nothing  of  its  strong  religious  sentiment. 
We  can  see  why  the  churcli  was  so  reluctant  to  part  with 
William  Judd,  though  the  very  man  the  new  settlement  stood 
in  need  of.  The  record  bears  no  date,  but  there  are  indica- 
tions that  the  time  was  as  early  as  the  spring  of  1677-S* 

The  Church  havinpj  considen-il  the  dcsiros  of  their  hrethn^n  William,  Thomu, 
John  nrul  nenjamin  .Tiidd,  us  also  .I(<hu  Staudly,  Juu.  touching  their  removal  from 
UB  to  Mattatuck,  agreed  &»  tollowcth  : 

1  In  general,  that  eoiulderiog  the  ^irene  difBcnl^  and  incottwmfenoy  which 
ftttend  the  plan  toward  which  they  are  looldng,  and  how  haiardable  It  may  bo, 
for  ought  that  appeareth,  that  the  house  and  ordinances  of  Christ  may  not,  for  a 
lonp;  time  at  least,  be  settled  amonf?  them — 

The  Church  doth  advise  tho  brethren,  to  be  wary  of  engaging  far  until  some 
comfortable  hopes  appears  of  being  suited  for  the  iaward  man,  in  the  great  things 
ibre  mentionod. 

S.  Partioolaily  to  our  brother  WUOam  Judd,  that  it  havfaig  ploaaed  God  to 

deal  io  bountifully  with  him — that  not  many  of  the  brethren  with  as  have  ao  hufe 

accommodntionB  as  himself,  tlicy  see  not  hw  call  to  remove,  on  the  aeccmnt  of 
8tniitne»i8  for  outward  siibsistancc,  &  therefore  counsel  him,  if  it  may  be  witli  sat- 
isfaction to  his  spirit,  to  continue  bis  abode  with  us,  hoping  God  [will]  bleiis  him 
in  aodofaig. 

S.  To  the  rest,  though  we  know  [not  how]  much  tliey  will  be  bettered  as  to 
land,  all  thingi  considered,  by  there  removal,  especially  John  and  Benjamin  Jtidd, 

and  therefore  cannot  much  encourage,  yet  if  the  bent  of  tlioir  Spirit.^  be  strong  for 
going,  and  the  advice  fore  given,  touching  the  worship  of  God  be  taken,  we  shall 
not  trouble,  but  say  the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done. 

Of  the  above  mentioned  persons,  only  two,  Thomas  Judd 
and  John  Stanley,  Jr.,  lived  nj)  to  the  articles  and  lu'came 
proprietors;  though  the  otiiers,  particularly  William  and  Uen- 
janiin  Judd,  found  "the  hent  of  their  spirits  to  be  strong  tor 
going,"  and  apparently  tried  hard  to  like  the  enterj»rise,  but 
tinaliy  gave  it  up,  finding  perhaps  that  the/  had  misread  the 
teachings  of  dut/. 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


aiSTOST  OF  WATEBBUfiY. 


47 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  COMMON  FENCE  AND  COMMON  FIELD. 

Onk  of  tlie  first  t]iin<!;s  to  be  attended  to  in  tlie  new  settle- 
ment, was  tlie  building  of  fenees  for  the  ])rotection  of  the 
crops  and  the  meadow  lands.  The  committee  gave  tliis  &ub- 
ject  tlicir  early  attention.  I  quote  from  their  acts  under  date 
Jan.  16, 1677,  (1677-8) 

We  ordor  the  comon  fene  one  ^  este  rid  the  riuer  for  eecaring  the  medowi 
ehell  he  made  avfitientlj  by  the  lut  of  may  ecordfaig  to  the  number  of  acre  of 
medow  Uod  ecth  propriator  is  adied  of  and  we  denre  and  apobt  willum  Jodd, 

Thomiu  Judd  and  John  Stanly  to  proportion  the  !«aid  fenc  and  lay  out  ecth  person 
hi"  juat  dues  anfl  ht'inp  poo  layod  out:  octh  porson  that  shall  neglect  macking  his 
jiu>t  proportion  uhali  be  iioablu  acordiug  to  the  law  of  tbia  colony. 

There  was  another  order  made  regarding  the  ''common 
fence,"  bearing  date  March  11th,  1678-9.  Bj  this,  a  new  and 
additional  division,  it  would  seem,  was  to  be  erected,  and  the 
proprietors  were  required  to  make  their  respectiye  proportions 
by  the  first  of  May,  then  ensuing. 

Wharas  there  is  a  mile  of  fenee  tharabouta  yet  to  be  erected:  for  seeorfaig  thot 

land.'^  thiit  arc  under  iniprouemcnt  from  spoil!  of  catlo  and  swine  wee  doc  aduise 
and  onler  that  willuni  .ludd  Thoina-*  Judd  und  John  Stanly  Jun  shnll  proportion 
and  stacke  out  to  ecth  propriator  his  proportion  with  all  sped  conuem[cnt] 

We  fiirtber  order  Aal  ecth  propriator  doe  erect  a  aofiaent  fence  vpon  those  re- 
ipeetlTo  iilacee  apmnted  [to  him]  for  defenc  of  tiiat  land  that  no  damage  to  either 
come  or  gra-s  by  cattle  or  swine  [be  done]  which  fence  shall  be  done  betwixt  this 
and  the  first  of  May  next: 

Late  in  tlie  spring  of  the  next  year,  orMay22d,  1G80,  tliere 
was  an  order  issued,  signed  by  JolinTalcott  and  Jolm  Wads- 
worth,  for  the  V>uildiiii:  of  tlire<»  hundred  and  fifty  rods  of  ad- 
ditional fence  "forthwith;"  and  each  proprietor  wlio  neglect- 
ed his  work  till  the  first  of  June  was  to  pay  sixpence  per 
rod,  and  for  longer  delay,  sixpence  per  week.  Further  action 
upon  the  same  subject  was  taken  Uie  succeeding  year.  Un- 


Digi[i<ioa  by  CjOO^Ic 


48 


HISTOEY  OF  WATERBUBY. 


der  date  of  Feb.  8, 1680,  (1680-1,)  the  committee  directed  a 
portion  of  fence  to  be  constracted  by  the  fint  of  April. 

Themeadow  lands  up  and  down  the  river,  on  wliich  the  cariy 
settlers  mainly  dej^onded  for  tillage  and  fodder,  were  regard- 
ed as  particularly  valuable,  Tliev  were  distributed  in  the  be- 
ginning, but  the  lots  lay  in  common  ;  that  is,  they  were  not 
bcparated  by  division  lences.  Fences  were  c.xjiensive  and 
could  not  be  aliorded;  besides,  on  the  l<»w  grounds  tliey  were 
liable  to  be  swei)t  awjiy  by  the  frequent  floods.  For  tlie  pro- 
tection of  the  meadows  (as  may  be  gathered  from  tlie  preced- 
ing extracts  and  remarks)  a  coinnion  fence"  was  erect- 
ed running  along  on  the  higli  ground,  east  of  the  river  and 
west  of  the  village,  and  extending  a  distance  north  and  south. 
It  was  called  common,"  because  it  was  for  tlie  equal  benefit 
of  all  und  was  built  and  maintained  by  all.  At  this  period, 
as  no  inhabitants  dwelt  upon  the  west  side  of  the  river,  and  no 
cattle  were  kept  there,  this  single  line  of  fence  was  deemed 
sufficient  for  the  protection  of  the  meadows.  It  was  erected, 
in  the  first  instance,  and  supported  afterwards,  by  the  propri- 
etors in  proportion  to  the  land  each  had  to  be  inclosed — a 
given  number  of  rods  and  feet  to  each  acre.  A  man's  partic- 
ular portion  of  fence  was  determined  bj  lot  Beginning  at 
the  Mill  Kiver  (Mad  Biver)  and  running  north,  each  man's 
position  in  the  line  was  decided  by  the  number  drawn,  num- 
ber one  standing  first,  number  two  second,  and  so  on.  This 
being  done,  each  person's  portion  of  the  work  was  measured 
and  staked  out." 

In  the  first  Proj)rietors'  Book,  so  called,  in  the  b^^ning  of 
the  volume,  is  the  following  entry  : 

Tlie  fint  divlrioD  [of  fence]  begins  at  the  nuide  riaer  and  eoe  runs  northwards: 
till  itt  bntto  on  the  banke  of  the  rioer:  against  stetls  [Steels']  meadow  as  itt  fells 
b7  lott:— 

Then  follow  the  names  of  the  ja-ojirietors,  beginning  with 
Thomas  liichason,  in  the  order  apparently  in  which  the  num- 
bers were  drawn,  with  the  lenn;th  of  fence,  in  ''rods,"  "fete" 
and  "inches,"  assiir'ied  to  each,  the  amount  of  fence  being,  in 
every  instance,  proportioned  to  proprietorship.   There  are 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


BIBIOBT  OF  WATESBD&T. 


40 


twenty-six  luinies  in  this  li.st,  iucliuiing  tliree  "grate  lotos,"  the 
latter  having  thirty-three  rods  and  fifteen  feet  each — the 
proportion  for  £150  propriety.  The  entire  length  of  tliis  divis- 
ion of  fenee  appears  to  have  been  two  hundred  and  eighty- 
four  rods,  nine  feet  and  ten  inches,  or  seven-eigliths  of  a  mile. 
It  was  doubtless  that  portion  which  w^as  tirst  built,  (In  the 
spring  of  1677-S,)  it  being  more  immediately  uecesBary  than 
other  portions. 

This  catalogue  of  names,  on  the  record,  is  followed  by  a 
second  division  of  fence,  beginning  at  the  north  end  of  the 
last  division  and  running  northward.  Then  come  thirty 
names,  including  tlic  three  great  lots,  and  a  line  of  fence 
amounting  to  two  hundred  and  fifty-eight  rods,  one  foot  and 
three  inches,  or  over  three  quarters  of  a  mile.  It  was  probably 
erected  in  die  spring  of  167S-9.  The  third  division  began 
at  the  Mill  River  and  ran  south  three  hundred  and  four  rods, 
twelve  feet  and  nine  inches,  or  nearly  one  mile,  and  was  par- 
celed out  to  twenty-seven  proprietors,  indueive  of  the  great 
lots,  and  seems  to  have  been  built  in  the  spring  of  1679-80. 
The  fourth  division  continued  the  line  south  two  hundred  and 
seven  rods,  twelve  feet,  seven  inches,  or  over  three-eighths 
of  a  mile,  and  was  distributed  among  thirty-seven  proprietors, 
counting  the  great  lots.  It  appears  to  have  been  made  in  the 
spring  of  1680-81. 

The  four  divisions  of  common  fence  spoken  of,  (erected  in 
the  early  parts  of  the  four  lirst  years  after  the  settlement,)  two 
north  and  two  south  of  the  Mad  River,  in  their  whole  length, 
measured  a  little  over  three  and  a  quarter  miles,  the  two 
northern  divisions  making  somewhat  more  than  half  of  the 
whole.  A  liftli  division  is  spoken  of  in  1080-7.  At  any  rate, 
additions  were  made  to  the  fence  from  time  to  time,  either  way, 
as  circumstances  required.  At  an  early  period  (before  1700) 
it  seems  to  have  reached  Long  Meadow  Falls,  about  two  and 
a  half  miles  below  the  village,  on  the  south  ;  and  on  the  north, 
to  have  extended  as  far  as  Mount  Taylor,  four  miles  from  the 
center.  Before  1685-6,  it  had  crossed  Hancox  Brook,  as  appears 
from  the  record  which  follows: 

4 


DigUizoa  by  CoOglc 


50 


HIBIOBT  OT  WATEBBURT. 


Mattatock  march  >•  last  1685-6  >•  town  by  uoat  detnnincd  )»  thos  men  yi 
haue  fenc  ouer  haocox  brook  and  northward  from  y*  town  be  brought  ouor  to  y* 
«Mt  ■*  J*  brook  and  set  in  y«  rang  on  m  good  ground  as  thoy  now  ftand  for 
fondng  7*  is  on  7*  rang  y*  ii  determined  fiirder  to  fonc  for  y*  eeeuring  of  y* 

This  removal  of  fence  seems  to  Iiave  been  in  pui*suance  of  a 
plaa  for  protecting  tlic  lands  farther  n])  the  brook,  and  so 
cfossiog  perhaps  at  a  higher  point.  The  lands  to  be  thus  Be- 
cured  were  about  to  be  divided  among  the  propnctors,  and 
brought  under  ciiltivatioD.  It  seemed  to  be  the  design  to  in- 
elude  within  the  cominon  fence  all  the  lands  which  were  most 
▼alasble  for  meadow  and  tillage.  A  lot  at  "  Pine  Hole,"  so 
late  as  1783,  is  described  in  a  deed  as  within  the  "common 
field,"  and  as  bonnded  east  on  the  common  fence. 

Near  the  village  the  common  fence  ran  as  follows:  Be> 
ginning  at  Hill  Biver  a  little  above  the  numnfactorj  of 
tiie  Hotchkiss  and  Merriman  Manufacturing  Company,  at 
a  point  (where  ^  it  was  agreed,''  March  Slst,  1709,  by  a 
mager  nott  to  cal  the  fens  cros  the  mad  riuer  in  the  comon 
line  seauen  rod")  at  the  southeast  comer  of  Abraham  Andruss, 
Sen's  house  lot  of  three  and  a  half  acres,  it  ran  northwesterly 
along  the  brow  of  tlie  hill  between  said  Andruss'  land  and  the 
Mill  Plain  fifteen  acre  lot,  (sometimes  called  Hopkins'  I*lain,) 
till  it  readied  Union  street,  at  Union  square.''  U  liome  it 
continued  along  tlie  soutli  siile  of  Union  street  and  the  north 
side  of  the  Plain  above  mentioned  to  the  liill  just  west  of  Elm 
street,  where  there  were  bare  and  an  entrance  to  the  common 
iicld.  Thence  I  can  find  no  early  traces  of  it  till  we  come  to 
the  south  meadow  gate  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Bank  and 
Grand  streets.  Probably,  at  the  bars  in  Union  street,  it  con- 
tinued westerly,  in  the  line  of  that  street,  to  the  point  named 
in  Bank  street,  thus  including  within  the  common  field  the 
house  lots  of  Stephen  Uj)son,  Samuel  Scott  and  liichard 
Porter.   Here  it  ran,  at  so  late  a  period  as  1790.* 


•  Thto  appcam  from  «  dteO,  dntcd  Feb.  inh,  of  that  year,  fn-m  Tlioinn!!  Porter  to  Ms  son 
PtitaeM  Porter,  cooTcylDg,  fur  i;76  ilm.  lawful  tuuaty,  a  tract  of  land  io  tlie  "coromoD  field,** 
Mltaiatod  •!  mmtttm  aerMt  lytof  Iwtwvf n  Ualoa  ■ircct  aad  the  oM  rowit  niaiilaft;  «at  •ornXh- 

wcatf'iiy  frpm  the  Plain  Lara,  the  other  f«<.iilJ)t  n«ierl>  from  Punk  -trc-t.  Ttie  boundary  line  la 
dneribed  ia  Ihe  uaed  aa  foUova:  "iiegluaing  about  two  roda  eaat  of  David  Pritcbard'a 


Digi[i<ioa  by  CjOO^Ic 


UldTOBY  OF  WAT£BBUBV.  51 

From  the  corner  of  Bank  street  the  fence  extended  west  in 
the  south  line  of  Grand  street  and  in  front  of  Stephen  Upson's 
and  John  Welton's  hind  and  the  hurying  yard  to  tlie  Little 
Tasture  (parsonage  lot)  and  Willow  street.  Thence  it  passed 
Willow  street,  on  the  westerly  side,  (leaving  Benjamin 
Jones'  and  Dea.  Judd's  houses  on  tlie  left)  to  West  Main  street 
and  the  "eonunon  gate."  Tlience  it  continued  past  Jolm 
Scovill's  in  the  west  line  of  Willow  street,  up  the  hill  and 
into  the  woods  above.  Afterwards,  it  appears  to  have  borne 
off  more  to  the  west  till  it  reached  the  river's  bank,  opposite 
SteeFs  meadow,  seven-eighths  of  a  mile  from  the  starting  place 
at  Mad  Kiver.  A  little  farther  on,  it  left  the  Naugatuck  and 
extended  in  a. more  easterly  direction,  so  as  to  include  the 
better  lands  east  and  south  of  Hancock's  Brook. 

In  lihe  above  description,  I  have  considered  the  home  lots 
of  Benjamin  Jones,  Dea.  Jndd  and  John  Scovill  as  lying 
within  the  common  field.  This  was  undoubtedly  the  fact^ 
although  I  do  not  find  the  circumstance  alluded  to  in  any  con- 
yeyance,  or  by  any  direct  or  incidental  remark. 

The  fence  spoken  of  above  was  removed  from  time  to  time, 
farther  westward,  till  it  came  to  inclose  the  meadows,  proper- 
ly  80  called,  only.  A  portion  of  it,  in  the  form  of  an  old, 
broken  stone-wall,  may  still  be  seen,  standing  where  it  was 
placed,  after  this  process  of  removal  was  begun,  up  Willow 
street,  north  of  the  village,  a  little  west  uf  the  road. 

East  of  the  Mad  liiver  the  common  fence  ran  south  and 
southwesterly,  keepingon  tlie  west  side  of  the  mill  lot  of  eight 
acres,  and  below  occupying  the  high  ground  at  some  distance 
from  the  river. 

Soon  after  1700,  when  people  l)egan  to  settle  on  the  west 
side  of  tlie  river,  more  frequent  eonijdaints  were  made  of  dam- 
aere  done  to  the  common  fields  bv  cattle.  In  1701,  the  town 
resolved  that  all  horses,  cattle  or  swine  found  numing  at  large 


dwelling  hou«e,  [on  the  soothwest  corner  of  Bank  and  Grand,]  cxtentlintr  pii«tward  to  the 
highway  that  gocth  into  the  commoo  field  at  the  mill  plain  bars,  then  aouthward  bj  the  high- 
wagrtinit  wmm  totte  Mghwsytluit  gocth  to  8Bl«aii,lh«ob3mM  htghmjr  to  tho  flral  oerMT, 

Imttln;;  all  sMes  nn  hi^'hwny."  At  the  dale  of  this  deed,  and  afterward*,  the  land  on  the  horderg 
of  the  Ureal  Brooii,  lying  within  thlj  tract,  and  for  a  coosiderablo  distance  above,  wa«  an 


DigUizoa  by  CoOglc 


52 


UiSTO&Y  OF  WATEBBU&Y. 


west  of  the  river  might  be  impounded.  Hie  following  vote 

has  relation  to  this  subject : — 

April  6,  1702,  propriators  by  uoato  aprec  that  who  soeuer  shall  haue  liberty 
to  Hue  on  y*  west  s**  y*  fence  or  great  riuer  within  our  boundH  8hall  submit  to  y* 
order  of  y*  propriator8  if  they  liued  y'  euat  y*  common  fenc  ms  to  our 
■greement  of  fencing  or  [our]  meadowi  y'  by  reion  of  them  w«  be  not  under 
neeerily  of  fenelng  on  y*  weat  our  meedows  but  7*  theyr  ereeton  be  pound 
fesent  in  any  of  our  nieedow«i,  and  they  oblidged  to  keep  theyr  creators  out  of 
our  feild,  as  if  they  were  feiicod  round  and  ho  y*  pos  to  Hue  on  y»  west  8id  to 
Hub8crib  this  act  in  te8tiinoi)y  nf  his  ^utmiiting  to  it  and  he  j'  refuses  to  submit 
to  this  order  not  to  be  alowed  to  hue  on  y*  west  a4 

It  became  more  apparent,  bowever^  from  year  to  year,  that 
it  would  be  necessary  to  construct  a  fence  on  the  west  aide  of 
the  river,  running  down  to  and  crossing  it  at  each  end,  so  as 
completely  to  encircle  the  common  field.  Some,  however,  so 
late  as  1704,  were  in  favor  of  extending  the  line  on  the  east 
side  south  as  far  as  Beacon  Hill  Brook,  the  southern  boundary 
of  the  town,  and  of  being  content,  for  the  present,  with  the 
additional  security  which  that  extension  would  afford.  I  copy 
the  vote  of  the  proprietors  to  show  how  this  subject  was  dis- 
posed of ; — 

[Voted]  to  iene  from  y*  cast  end  of  y«  mountdn  agdust  mount  taylor  on  j* 
west  8*  y*  Riuer  and  so  to  y«  f:il!s  in  y«  Riner  nt  y»  lor  end  of  y»  long  meadow 
and  to  make  v*  f(  lu-  ^'ood  and  sul).stani'hall  ag:iiist  al  orderly  horses  and  cattell 
and  sutticiaui  ugun«*t  tt>o  yeir  oldi*  and  y«  fenc  to  be  uewed  by  the  feuc-uewers. 
deak  The  Jttdd  Left  llniotby  Stanly  Jo^  hopUns  ten'  be^fanin  boma  sen'  4Tbo. 
judd  jn'  waa  CSioaen  a  com'ty  to  modell  j*  land*  in  a*  feild  and  proportion  y 
flmeof  feild  to  each  m  tn  arurding  to  his  propriaty  k  lay  out  to  each  man  lila 
part —  y*  lands  on  which  y«  fenc  is  to  be  laid  is  all  y*  is  fit  for  plowing  or  mo- 
in<^  in  feild  hauing  Respect  to  y"  fenc  already  layd  out  each  man  to  keep  his 
feuc  airedy  layd  out  to  him  and  there  beiog  much  land  spoylcd  with  y*  flood 
y*  onera  ot  aueb  land  to  be  conridred  and  abated  fak  thli  dBuitieii  y'  y*  whol 
Bang  of  fene  of  a*  feild  may  be  equally  proportioned  to  each  proprietor  aoeord- 
ing  to  his  beuifit  of  lancl~  in     A  ild  as  near  aa  they  can  dcsemb'  1%  1704 

Y"  propriator''  agrei-d  to  Icaue  a  mile  at  y"  north  end  of  y*  loyn  wher  they 
begun  to  tnea.-^ure  on  y«  west  sid  whi-re  they  intend  to  set  y«  fene  to  be  dun  by 
y«  propri  itors  in  a  gonaral  way  to  be  layd  on  y*  hind  yet  undcuidcd  a^  ittihall  be 
taken  up  march  y*  6"'  17u| 


*  "  To  modell  j«  land  "—to  apprala«  the  land,  or  rather  to  det«mlne  Ua  relatlre  ralae  or 
qoality,  io order  thai  an  apportfoBiawaiof  fmco  on  this  bails  nlgbt  b«  nade  among  the  owners. 
I  Infer  this  to  be  UieM— nlBgof  tlioii!tr«ae,l>roathe  eonnectloni  in  which  It  la  naod  Inthowooid. 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBRBUBT. 


68 


Xliis  last  part  of  the  fence  was  to  bo  done  by  the  propri- 
etonin  their  coUectiTe  capacity  until  the  undivided  ljuids 
spoken  of  were  taken  np,  when  it  was  to  be  distiibnted  among 
the  ownen  of  such  lands  according  to  nsage. 

But  the  vote  which  I  have  given,  dated  December  i2th,  1704, 
and  which  determined  the  principle  on  which  the  new  fence 
was  to  bo  divided  among  the  proprietors,  gave  mnch  dissatis- 
faction. At  a  snbseqnent  meeting,  April  10th,  1705,  a  modi- 
fication of  the  principle  was  sought  and  obtained.  It  was 
then  determined — 

Y*  y*  whole  Rang  of  fenc  qnit  round  sd  fi  ild  sliail  be  equallj  diuidcd  on  j* 
aoor  alike  of  all  ports  of  land  With  in  i*"^  IVild  booth  of  plowing  nming  iip- 
l;iml  :irul  paustor  y'  is  allroady  layd  out  or  ginen  to  any  man  and  each  man  to 
niiiintain  hb  ftioc  HO  layd  out  to  him  but  the  fenc  already  layd  on  y*  east 
[tiidej  to  nouda  and  belong  to  them  y*  It  belongs  to  not  to  (emone  them  but  to 
be  eoonted  as  pert  of  their  diuilionas  five  m  it  will  go  y*  former  net  by  this  made 
uoid  in  exempting  pastor  lands  considering  waste  land  k  niodalidng 

This  uoat  wiu)  full  but  fooT  or  6  acted  agaost  it  and  doctor  porter  one  of  them 
did  protest  aganst  it. 

But  tliere  wjis  delay  in  making  tlie  fence,  and  much  nuir- 
murin<;  at  tlio  iTijustice  of  tlie  last  vote.  By  that  vote,  it  will 
be  noticed,  each  man's  pmi^ortion  of  fence  was  to  <lei»en(l,  as 
it  did  in  the  beginning,  by  order  of  the  grand  committee,  on 
the  number  of  acres  he  owned  in  the  common  field,  witliout 
reference  to  the  value  of  the  land;  so  'that  a  pereon  having 
twenty  acres  of  valuable  ^^moing"  land  had  to  build  no 
more  fence  than  ho  who  had  twenty  acres  of  upland  or  paus- 
tor,"  or  who  had  a  large  proportion  of  waste  lands  barely 
worth  fencing.  But  the  argument  was  not  all  on  one  side.  It 
would  cost  as  mnch  to  fence  the  poor  as  the  good  land.  An 
acre  of  the  second  or  third  quality  increased  the  size  of  the 
field  to  be  inclosed  as  much  as  an  acre  of  the  first  quality.  If 
a  man's  lands  had  been  damaged  by  fioods  it  might  be  claim- 
ed that  it  was  hit  misfortune  and  not  his  neighbors' ;  unless, 
indeed,  the  neighbors  ehoie  to  share  it  with  him*  There  was 
then  some  show  of  right  in  a  per  acre  distribution  of  the  fence. 
But  those  who  claimed  this  at  last  yielded  the  point  Our 
fathers  were  friends  of  peace,  and  bore  each  other^s  burdens. 


Digitizoa  by  Li(.)o^le 


64 


HISTO&Y  OF  WATEUBUEY. 


In  order  for  to  attain  apeicableproceding^^  the  proprietors 
again  ai^eed  **to  model  y*land,"  "  proportioning  y«  fenc  to 
each  propriator  according  to  Mb  benifit,"  abating  for  panstor 
lands,  waste  lands  and  lands  spoyled  with  the  flood."   In  fact, 

the  vote  that  was  passed  on  the  12tli  of  Dec.,  1704,  was,  with 
some  slight  alterations  of  orthography,  cVic.,  afj^ain  adopted. 
This  was  on  the  17th  day  of  Dec.  1706.  A  new  committee — 
Thomas  Jiidd,  Jr.,  Jolm  llo])kins,  Sen.,  and  Dea.  Jndd — was 
appointed  "  to  model  y«  land  in  sd  feild  ^fe  deuid  y^  fenc," 
while  "  Stoplien  ubson  sen,  John  weUon  sen'  and  abraham  an- 
druss  "  w(Me  chosen  "a  com~ty  to  model  y*  lands of  the  first 
named  committee. 

But  this  west  fence  was  h»ng  in  getting  itself  built.  The 
truth  is,  it  was  a  great  work  for  the  people,  considered  as  an 
addition  to  their  other  necessary  labor,  in  their  then  weakened 
condition.  But  our  fathers  were  men  of  pluck.  Votes 
were  taken  and  committees  appointed,  the  land  measnr- 
ed  and  "modeled,"  and  the  work  apportioned  according 
to  interest  and  benefit and  at  last  a  sort  of  board  of  relief 
was  selected  to  Begulate  mistackcs  if  any  be  and  if  any  are 
over  charged  to  hane  it  taken  oS  and  they  y*  want  to  bane 
it  [;]  but  if  any  bane  not  enough  fenc  and  it  be  not  in  y  *  loyn 
[line]  staked  ont  to  takeitbysucsesioiiat  y*  nortliend,  y*  south 
ward  to  be  first  so  sucsesiuelj  [April  12, 1708.]''  The  fence 
upon  the  west  side,  like  that  upon  the  east,  was  designed  to 
inclose  all  the  lands  most  valuable  for  culture  which  could 
be  conveniently  done.  It  ran  along  upon  the  high  ground, 
in  many  places  at  a  distance  from  the  river,  and  the  remains 
of  it  are  still  met  with  at  certain  points,  in  the  form  of  a 
broken  wall  of  stone. 

Tlic  whole  quantity  of  divided  lands  included  in  the  com- 
mon field,  soon  after  the  west  side  fence  was  built,  when  the 
entire  common  fence  was  apportioned,  seems  to  have  been  six 
hundred  and  eighty-one  acres,  llow  mucli  land  there  was  un- 
divided, or  which  had  not  yet  been  taken  up,  may  be  gathered 
from  the  circumstance  that  one  mile  offence  at  the  uj)per  end, 
on  the  west  side,  was  left,  by  the  act  of  March,  1704-5,  "  to  be 
done  in  a  general  way,"  and  to  be  afterwards  distributed  to 


Digiti-ioa  by  CoOglC 


HISrOBT  OF  WATBBBDST. 


55 


those  who  should  come  iuto  possession  of  the  inclosed  undivi- 
ded lands.  Quo  mile  of  fence  may  tkerefore  be  considered  as 
the  just  proportion  of  the  prosi^ective  owners — as  the  propor^ 
tion  which  the  undivided  bore  to  the  divided  lands.  As  there 
were  twelve  miles  of  fence  in  the  whole,  six  miles  on  each 
side  the  river,  and  as  eleven  miles  represented  six  hundred  and 
eightj-one  acres,  one  mile  should  represent  sixty-two  acres. 
These  sums  added  together,  give  seven  hundred  and  forty-three 
acres  as  the  entire  contents  of  the  common  field,  at  the  time 
indicated. 

To  show  who  were  the  owners  of  the  divided  lands  in  the 
common  field,  how  they  were  distributed  and  how  the  fence 
was  apportioned,  at  the  period  of  which  I  am  speaking,  I  give 
an  extract: 

An  nconnntt  of  the  iiinn^<>r  of  the  acnrs  of  land  cch  man  has  to  fens  for  ia  Um 
gencrall  I'eild  as  it  was  inusured  b j  uk  in  march  1709 

Thomas  Judd 
Stenn  nbaon 
JohnseoaU 


Abraham  Andruss 

27 

Jeremiah  Peck 

80 

Wid.  Andnua 

U 

Doct.  Porter 

20 

Bonjiimin  RarnC8 

21 

Richard  Porter 

10 

Sorj;.  liron-'on 

17 

Thomas  Porter 

5 

Luiac  Brouiion 

Obadiah  Kichards 

10 

John  Bronaon 

9 

John  Richards 

18 

Wid.  Bronion 

8 

Thomaa  Ridiaaon 

18 

Mr.  Bull 

4 

John  Ricbason 

7 

John  CarrinRton 

6 

John  Soovill 

21 

Joseph  (J.iylortl 

4 

Kdiuund  Scott 

19 

Beujauiiu  ilickux 

George  Scott 

16 

William  HIckox 

21 

Jonathan  Scott 

7 

Thomaa  Hickoz 

IS 

David  Seott 

11 

Ebenezer  Hickox 

Mr.  Southmayd 

21 

John  Hopkins 

22 

Lt.  Timothy  Stanley 

38 

Wid.  Jones 

11 

Samuel  Stanley 

29 

John  Judd 

25 

School  Land 

7 

FbiUpJttdd 

10 

Stephen  Upron 

24 

Thomaa  Jndd  Jr. 

28 

Thomaa  Warner 

e 

Dea.  Judd 

47 

Daniel  Wamor 

s 

Bonjiiniin  Judd 

John  Warner 

1 

Mill  Land 

19 

Johu  Wei  ton 

18 

Thoma.-"  N<'well 

1 

Stephen  Wclton 

11 

18 

Thomas  Welton 

1 

Digitized  by  Google 


56 


HIB10BT  CfW  WATBBBUBT. 


The  common  fence  was  variously  coiiBtructed  accordiog  to 
the  nature  of  the  ground  and  the  conTenience  of  materials. 
It  was  made  of  rails  laid  in  the  form  of  the  worm  fence,^  or 
of  log9  and  poles,  with  the  help  of  stakes.  If  stones  were  more 
abnndant  than  anything  elsot  these  were  laid  into  a  walL  I 
find  the  hedge  fence  spoken  of^  its  strength  being  increased 
by  stakes.  In  some  instances,  a  ditch  was  dug,  and  its  effect 
augmented  by  rails  or  a  hedge  upon  the  embankment. 

The  following  order  relates  to  the  ^sufficiency"  of  the 
common  fence. 

March:  20:  1691:  an  ordor  What  shall  be  counted  pofii  ien  fenc  for  our  meadows 
Rajl  fenc  to  be:  4:  foots  hipjh  not  exsocdinp:  6:  inches  between  y*  Rayl?:  too 
foots  from  j*  ground  upward — heg  feuc:  four  foots  and  a  half  high:  6  stakes  to 
each  Rod  and  well  Rough  t — Bton  fenc,  three  foots  and  nin  inches  in  height—* 
log  «r  pool  fene  four  foots  in  height  end  well  Booghi  dtch,  too  foots  wid  ud 
Bajls  or  heg  four  foots  in  height  ftt>m  j«  bottom  of  j*  ditch  to  top  of  j*  fonc 
snd  well  Rought — 

And  if  there  be  any  aduantag  by  resin  of  the  land  or  plac  where  y*  fenc  is  it 
is  to  be  left  to  y*  judgement  of  y*  fencuewers  what  shall  be  soficant — 

By  order  of  j*  toamnen  abraham  andrus  John  hopkuis — aprill:  y*:  6:  1692: 
this  order  to  stand  fiv  y  Ibno  vewers  to  go  by  till  y*  town  see  cans  to  alter  it 

Tbomas  Judd 

In  the  spring  ee<a8on,  when  vegetation  began  to  start,  it  be- 
canie  tlie  duty  of  each  proprietor  to  put  in  good  repair  his 
portion  of  tlie  common  fence.  The  proprietors  each  year,  in 
meeting,  fixed  upon  tlie  day  beyond  which  the  work  should 
not  be  neglected.  The  day  chosen  was  usually  between  the 
tenth  and  fifteen tli  of  March. 

Immediately  after  the  expiration  of  the  time  for  these  rc> 
paifS)  the  fence  viewers,  who  were  annually  appointed  by  tlie 
town,  were  required  to  make  a  careful  examination  of  the 
fence,  to  decide  whether  it  was  conformable  to  law,  and  an  ade- 
quate protection  for  the  lands  inclosed.  If  they  found  it  in- 
sufficient in  any  place,  they  gaye  notice  to  him  to  whom  it 
belonged,  requiring  him  to  make  it  good  in  five  days,  accord- 
ing to  the  statute.  In  case  this  notice  was  neglected ,  it  became 
the  duty  of  the  fence  Tiewers  to  make  the  necessary  repairs, 
and  to  charge  the  delinquent  double  the  cost  of  the  work,  to 
be  collected  by  warrant  If  they  were  not  able  to  make  the 


Digitizea  by  CjOO^Ic 


BIBTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


57 


repairs,  or  "  hire  sufficient  help  to  do  the  same,  so  that  the 
coniinou  field  may  be  timely  uecurcd/'  they  were  authorized 
by  law 

To  makB  eompblnt  to  the  next  Aaditeot,  or  JuiUee  of  the  Frace;  and  It  ■hell 
be  in  the  power  of  ineb  Aaristent  or  Jnitice  of  the  peace,  to  issue  out  hia  warrant 

to  the  Constable  of  said  Town,  hi  which  such  common  field  is  situate,  or  to  the 

fence  viewcrf,  to  iniprt'ss  men  and  teams  sufficient  to  repair  8ueh  defective  fence,  ^ 
who(»liall  be  paid  by  such  fence  Tiewcra  for  their  labor,  as  tlicy  can  ngrtf,  or  a:» 
shall  be  dcteruiaed  hy  such  Astdstant  or  Justice  of  the  reuce.    [AcUi  aud  Laws, 
printed  1716.] 

Early  in  the  spriog,  annnftUy,  there  was  a  vote  passed  by  the 
proprietors  '^to  bum  about  the  common  fence."  I  give  an 
example: 

March  Gth  I7i>'.»-10  Tlie  propriator^  agreed  hy  uoat  that  the  beatinj»  the 
Drum  through  the  town  oucr  night  shall  be  warning  that  the  fence  on  the  west 
aide  la  to  be  burnt  about  the  next  day  and  on  the  east  side  the  day  following. 

In  obedience  to  this  BummoBB)  all  the  owners  of  the  common 

fence  sallied  forth,  each,  I  suppose,  to  •  look  after  his  own. 
Wherever  the  fence  was  made  of  combustible  material,  they 
set  fire  to  tlie  dry  leave?,  f?niss  and  otlier  rubbish  in  its  imme- 
diate nei^liborhod,  .{>rcveiiting,  by  g'eat  watchfulness,  its 
spreading  to  the  woods,  or  destroying  the  fence.  This  being 
done,  the  woods  and  tields  were  burnt  over  without  concern 
for  the  purpose  of  improving  the  pasturage.  In  tliis  way,  too, 
tlie  dania^^e  which  might  have  resulted  from  accidental  fires, 
not  infre(pient,  was  prevented. 

Sometimes  the  tiriiijr  of  the  woods  was  forbidden  for  a 
season,  in  order  that  the  young  trees  might  attain  some  growth. 
For  instance,  December  13tli,  1713,  ''it  was  voted  that  the 
east  woods  should  not  be  fired  for  seven  years,"  and  "if  any 
person  shall  fire  the  above-woods,  he  shall  pay  208." 

Early  in  the  history  of  the  town,  there  were  two  gates  on 
the  east  side  the  river,  frequently  referred  to,  opening  a  pas- 
sage through  the  fence  from  the  village  to  the  common  field. 
One  of  these  was  in  Bank  street,  near  Grand,  and  was  called 
the  south  gate.  It  was  not  removed  till  recently — some 
twenty  years  ago.  The  other  was  near  the  west  comers  of 


DigUizoa  by  CoOglC 


5S 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


Willow  and  West  Main  streets,  and  was  known  l)y  the  name  of 
the  west  or  comnion  ^ate.  Tliis,  it  seems,  was  removed,  at 
the  date  mentioned  below,  to  a  point  farther  west,  some  ten  or 
twelve  rods  probably,  and  the  common  fence  extended  on 
either  side  down  to  it.  The  record,  it  will  be  noticed,  does  not 
convey  a  very  clear  idea. 

Ocnnarjr  25.  170j  j*  town  ordered  y*  y«  west  gato  and  fenc  belonging  to  >•  town 
ilHNild  be  remoued  belo  deac  judda  barn  to  be  directed  by  y*  towns  men  in  Mcting 
ofit  down  and  John  scoaell  to  tety*  part  of  hb  comnion  [fence]  frtmts 
highwny  dos  in  7*  highway  where  y*  gate  is  to  be  set  deae  Jndd  and  John  scooiU 

liauinp  conwnted  to  haue  theyr  fcnc  next  highway  from  y*  common  fenc  doun 
to  s<'  gate  to  be  accounted  common  fenc  and  preceded  in  y*  reqwci  by  y*  fencuew- 

crs  &ii  Huch. 

On  the  west  side  of  tlic  river  there  were  no  plates,  but  four 
seta  of  bars.  The  "west  bars"  were  on  tlie  Woodburv'  road 
west  of  the  present  covered  bridge.  Tlie  "south  bars''  were 
on  the  way  to  Town  Plot  by  the  present  R.  K.  depot,  crossing  the 
river  near  the  new  bridge.  The  ^*Loog  Meadow  bars  "  were 
on  the  road  to  Jndd's  Meadow,  below  the  riding  place"  at 
the  lower  end  of  Mad  Meadow.  Isaac's  Meadow  bars  "  were 
on  the  road  which  ran  np  Manhan  Meadow,  crossing  the  river 
near  the  present  fording  place,  and  so  on  west  through 
Steel's  Meadow  and  over  Steel's  Brook  towards  £lon  Clark's. 

For  many  years  after  the  settlement  of  the  town,  there  were 
no  private  fences  except  those  which  inclosed  the  home  lots. 
Individuals  relied  on  the  common  fence  to  protect  their  crops. 
Lands  lying  without  this  fence  were  for  a  time  undivided. 
They  were  used  by  all  for  wood,  timber,  stone,  pasturage,  ike, 
and  were  called  tlie  "  commons."  The  cattle,  in  the  pasturing 
season,  were  kept  in  herds  which  were  watched  Ity  a  herdsman. 
I  find  an  "order"  of  the  committee  relating  to  this  subject: 

Wharas  we  rcceiucd  a  paper  signed  by  garg*  Tliomaa  Judd  Isaac  bronton 
and  benjamin  .Tudd  in  rcfaranc  to  herding  of  eattell  we  <1(><'  nrder  and  apoint  for 
the  futur  that  the  iuliahitant?  att  a  towne  meeting  the  inaigor  of  the  inhabitants 
so  mcetc  ahull  hauc  full  puuer  to  resoluc  and  dctenniu  the  way  and  method  for 
herding  and  to  atatt  what  shall  he  charged  for  keeping  of  eowa  and  what  ahall  he 
lenied  one  diy  eatUe 

april  5  1S8S. 

The  sheep  of  the  town  were  put  under  the  care  of  a  shep- 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATKSBUBT. 


herd,  and  thoB  kept  from  mischief.  I  dificoveri  however,  no 
action  on  this  subject  earlier  tlian  1708. 

Att  sheep  mcoting  in  watorbuey  uittrch=2y=17<  8  dcac  Judd  Jolin  s(  (n:rll  and 
Joho  Richason  wan  cboseu  sheep  niastoro  for  thiM  yir  to  order  }*  i>rudcnAiul;j  oi 
flbeep  ud  to  hire  ft  abeepord  and  see  him  pAj'  as  j*  Iftw  directs  by  j«  owners  of 
y*  sheep 

Tlie  meadows  and  the  hands  near  the  river  were  convenient, 
required  little  elearin<i:  or  expensive  preparation,  and  were 
ea.sily  worked.  On  these  and  their  home  lots,  the  ]»c'<>ple  re- 
lied for  their  crops.  In  coiiseqnence  of  the  value  of  tlic  lands 
which  it  embraced,  the  common  Held  was  an  important  in- 
terest. The  proprietors  gave  much  of  their  time  to  its  concerns. 
Thej  firamed  such  regulationB  as  were  for  the  ^^ood  of  all.  A 
major  vote  governed ;  not  a  major  vote  of  the  proprietors, 
but  of  ponnds  of  propriety.  The  Colonial  Assembly  granted 
general  powers,  and  prescribed  the  mode  of  exercising  them. 

After  the  fence  had  been  done  np  "  in  the  spring,  and  the 
fence  viewers  had  attended  to  their  dntj,  seeing  that  every 
thing  was  fast,  the  haywards  were  sent  out  to  impound  snch 
cattle,  horses,  sheep  and  swine  as  were  found  within  the  com- 
mon field.  The  owners  of  the  imprisoned  beasts  were  obliged 
to  pay  the  poundage ;  but  if  it  appeared  that  the  fence  was 
more  at  fault  than  the  beasts,  those  who  had  thus  paid  their 
money  could  oblige  the  delinquent  fence  owners  to  bear  the 
loss. 

Here  are  regulations  concerning  the  common  gates  or  bars, 
the   baighting of  cattle,  <&c. : 

Dec  12th,  1704,  **the  proprintors  by  noete  agreed  r*  ho  y*  left  [leaves]  opin 

y*  common  gates  or  bers  [barti]  in  y*  coin~on  felld  dKrald  pay  al  y*  damag  y* 
is  don  thereby  and  y*  no  man  xlial  8tak  hor*"c»*  in  y*  moing  land  in  8aid  fcild  or 
baight  cattoll  after  y*  fir^t  of  aprill  till  i'Oiii~iii<p:  fimof  except  tliey  an-  at  work  by 
y*  [them]  and  the  fenc  of  s**  feild  to  be  kccpt  up  al  y*  yeir  and  hogs  pound 
fe^ot  al  y  yeir 


*  A  km*  wu  ttak4d  hy  making  him  ftil  to  aitaka  drlTca  into  tlit  grMUid,b]r  nffaas  of  a  repa 

or  cord  several  yard*  in  lenfrth.  He  could  thui  he  Rafely  left  to  feed  around  for  the  distance 
which  tb«  rope  would  pcrmU  him  to  go.  Wbea  the  graa*  was  cropped  short  In  one  place,  tba 

t  Coromonlnj  time  wag  the  time  fixed  upon  In  the  fall,  nfli-r  the  crop*  hn<l  been  raoiOVad, 
when  all  the  owoera  in  the  common  field  turned  In  their  cattle  and  horses  for  pasture. 


DigUizea  by  CoOgle 


60 


HI8T0BY  OF  WATEBBUBT, 


Jut  1704-7.  The  proprUtora  agree  y>  when  ^  feild  shall  be  opened  to  turn 
in  eattell  it  ditll  be  bnt  one  monelh  end  then  y  cellle  kepiontend  pounded  eein 
J*  enrn'^er  end  y*  men  shall  turn  Into  ^       eocording  to  their  intrist  in  it  end 

no  man  to  bai<;ht  or  8take  in  s**  field  at  no  time  but  on  his  own  land  and  takeing 
care  of  them  and  all  jr*  brake  this  order  to  lieue  their  cattle  pounded  or  delt  with 
as  trespasors. 

Four  yean  afterward,  (or  March  5th,  1710-11,  it  was  grd 
[agreed]  on  by  note"  that  manethf  (a  common  orthography  of 
the  day,)  in  Uie  above  record, "  is  intended  for  munlh  and 
with  that  amendation  the  act  bo  stand  yearly  til  the  propriaters 
86  cas  [cause]  to  alter  it" 

Verily,  our  lathers  were  getting;  critical !  The  former  clerk 
had  left  town,  and  a  wiser  one  had  succeeded  to  his  place. 
Tlie  orthogrji})hy  of  Thomas  Judd,  tlie  schoolmaster,  is  cor- 
rected by  his  cou&in,  Thomas  Judd,  the  smith ! 

T*  proprietors  [Dec  18th,  1704]  granted  liberty  to  eny  7*  see  caueto  indoe  in 
prtionlor  [to  incloee  Ids  own  lend]  for  wlieat  or  other  corn 

This  right  was  secured  by  statute.  Any  man  might  fence  in 
his  own  hind  and  thus  improve  it  exclusively ;  but  he  must  in- 
close it  at  his  own  expense.  If  a  num  adjoining  liim  chose  to 
do  the  same  thing,  the  division  fence  must  be  built  by  both  in 
just  proportion. 

Desemb.  the  8  1707  it  was  uoalod  that  nither  hon  nor  cettcl  shold  be  baited  or 
stalled  within  the  feeld  from  the  fifteenth  of  epril  until  the  medows  ere  clear 
frirder  it  wee  noted  that  eaeh  propciator  ahold  put  in  cretnrea  according  to  ther 
propotion  of  fence. 

In  the  fall  season  after  tlie  grass  had  been  cut  and  the  cr<)})S 
removed  from  the  common  field,  it  was  the  custom  to  turn  in 
the  cattle,  horses  and  shee]) "  for  pasture.  It  was  the 
practice  to  name  the  day  on  which  the  iields  ehould  be 

cleared,"  and  when  the  people  might  turn  in  tlieir  cattle, 
&c.  Tills  was  late  in  September  or  early  in  October.  "  Com- 
moning  time  "  was  looked  forward  to  with  great  interest. 
At  the  appointed  time,  early  in  the  morning,  or  immedi« 
ately  after  sundown,  the  whole  town  was  astir.  All  the  four 
footed  beasts  tliat  lived  by  grazing  were  brought  out«  driren 
in  long  procession  to  the  meadow  gates,  and  ^'turned  in"  to 


Digitizea  L7  GoOglc 


HI8T0JKT  OF  WATEBBUSY. 


61 


crop  the  fresh  herbage.  Tlierc  they  remained  hixiiriating  and 
gathering  fatness  till  the  late  autumnal  frosts.  The  writer's 
recollections,  extending  back  forty  yeai*s,  furnishes  liim  with 
some  refreshing  scenes  connected  witli  the  opening  of  the 
common  field.  Boys  who  nsed  to  drive  the  COWB  a  mile  to 
pasture,  hailed  the  time  with  lively  feelings. 

There  waa  a  law  of  the  Colony,  at  an  early  date,  requiring 
every  town  and  plantation  "to  make  and  maintain  a  sufficient 
pound  or  pounds  for  the  impounding  and  restraining  of  all 
such  swine,  horses,  cattle  and  other  creatures,  as  shall  be  found 
damage  feasant,  and  swine  found  unringed  or  unyoked.''  But 
the  first  record  of  the  "setting  up  "  of  a  pound  in  Waterbury 
is  the  following: 

Oenuttry:  25'^:  1702-3  y"  town  uotcd  >'  there  t»lioul(l  be  a  pound  set  up  in  )• 
South  higbwajr  sum  where  neare  y*  south  gate  y*  spot  where  to  be  set  out  by  y* 
towniimn 

The  next  year  a  pound  was  ordered  near  the  west  or  common 
gate,  and  Deacon  Iliomas  Judd,  who  lived  hard  by,  was  ap- 
pointed pound  keeper. 

Deccmbr  j*  12—1704  y«  propriators  gaue  Juds  meadow  men  leauc  to  setup  A 
pound  for  jm  aalms  on  thdr  own  cbarg  for  impoonding  their  own  ontlel  and  Moh 
M  are  left  oot  in     Held  wlien  men  ere  at  woi^  witli  tiiem  ttiero 

In  1735,  the  inhabitants  of  Northbury  (now  Plymouth) 
were  authorized  by  tlic  town  to  erect  a  pound  at  their  own  ex- 
pense; and  in  Dec.  1749,  Northbury  and  Westbury  (Water- 
town)  had  each  "  liberty  to  build  a  pound  at  town  charge."  In 
February,  1753,  Andrew  Bronson,  who  lived  on  the  southwest 
corner  of  West  Main  and  Willow  streets,  obtained  the  consent 
of  the  town  to  remove  the  pound  near  his  house,  farther 
westward  in  the  lane,"  he  being  at  the  expense. 

There  must  have  been  pounds,  or  yards,  for  the  confinement 
of  cattle,  Ac,  before  the  early  dates  above  mentioned,  as  the 
law  required.  Hay  wards  were  appointed  by  the  town  in  1681. 
The  pounds  ordered  to  be  set  up  in  1702-8  and  1704,  were 
probably  designed  to  take  the  place  of  one  or  more  of  more 
ancient  date,  which  had  gone  to  decay. 


Digitizoa  by  Li(.)o^le 


62 


mnoBT  or  w^tebbust. 


OHAPTEB  VI. 

INDUN  PURCHASES:  INCORPORATION  OF  THE  TOWN ;  SEQUESTER 

LAND& 

On  the  29th  day  of  April,  1684,  certain  Farmington  Indians, 
(nine  in. nnmher,  including  two  squaws,)  ^'in  consideration  of 
nine  ponnds  already  received,  or  good  Becurity  for  that  pur- 
pose," granted  to  Serg.  Tliomas  Judd  and  John  Stanley,  in  the 
name  and  behalf  of  the  propiiotoi-s  of  the  towiisliip  of  Matta- 
tuclc,  an  addition  to  the  lainl  which  they  fornierly  sold  to 
Major  Talcott,  ^Ir.  Wadsworth,  iVc.,a?ul  lying  north  of  it.  It 
extended  north  from  tlie  n-ek  called  Mount  Taylor  and  an  cast 
and  west  line,  to  a  tree  marked  by  Caj>tain  Stanley  and  John 
Norton,  Senr.,  being  eight  miles.  The  grunt  butted  east  on 
Farmington  bounds,  south  on  the  former  grant,  (upon  that 
which  was  fonnerly  the  Spinning  Squaw's  land,)  west  by  a 
north  and  south  line,  which  if  extended  south  would  run  *'l'our 
score  rods  from  the  easternmost  part  of  Quasepaug  Pond,"  north 
on  the  wilderness,  an  east  and  west  line. 

This  deed  purports  to  have  been  given  by  "  Patuckquo  in 
the  name  and  behalf  and  by  order  of  Atumtockqno,  Wa- 
wowas,  Taphow,  Judas,  Mantow,  MomantowV  squaw,  Mercy, 
Sequscs  (squaw,)  and  Qnatowquechuck  (Taj)how's  son.)" 

In  the  same  year,  on  the  second  day  of  Decemher,  John 
Acomponnd,  Hackatowsock  and  his  sqnaw,  Mantow,  Wamn- 
oomponnd,  Atnmtocko,  Spinning  Squaw,  Patuckco  (squaw,) 
Sebockett,  the  same  persons,  for  the  most  part,  who  are  the 
grantors  named  in  the  deed  of  1674,  for  nine  ponnds  in  hand 
received  or  security  sufficiently  given,"  conveyed  to  the  same 
party  "one  parcel  of  land  at  Mattatuck  situated  on  each  side 
of  Mattatnck  River,  to  extend  from  the  said  river  three  miles 
towards  Woodbury,"  butting  north  on  the  rock  called  Mount 
Taylor,  and  a  line  running  east  and  west  from  that  point,  cast 


Digitized  by  Google 


IIISTO&Y  OF  WATKHBUBY. 


63 


on  Farmington  bounds,  the  lino  running  from  the  rock  called 
the  "  Ordinary  "  sonth  to  Beacon  Hill  Brook,  or  Milford,  op 

New  Haven  bounds,  south  on  Beacon  Hill  Brook  and  Pau- 
gassot,  west  on  Pootatiiek  and  Pornperaiig. 

Tlie  tract  of  land  liere  conveyed,  it  will  be  noticed,  is  the 
same,  with  a  little  more  definite  liinits,  as  that  granted  in  the 
deed  of  1GT4-.  It  was  common  in  tliose  times  for  the  native 
proprietors  to  make  claims  to  the  lands  which  they  had  once 
sold,  on  the  ground  tliat  they  had  been  inadequately  paid,  or 
that  they  did  not  understand  the  import  of  their  acts. 

Feb.  2Stli,  1084,  (IG85,  new  style,)  Confjuapatana  (sagamore,) 
Awawas,  Curan,  Gocapadous,  Tataracum,  Kecasahuni,  Wcn- 
untacnm,  Cocoeson,  AVechaninnck  and  Weniincaske  (Cocoe- 
"  sen's  sister,)  Ammpiske  (Curan's  squaw,)  Notaniunck  (Cur- 
an *s  sistep,)twelveinnumber,  of  thePangasset  or  Milford  tribe 
of  Indians,  as  I  suppose,  deeded  to  Thomas  Judd  and  John 
Stanley, per  order  and  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  pro- 
prietors of  Mattatuck,''  tor  divers  causes  and  considerations 
therennto  moving  and  for  the  snm  of  six  pound  in  hand," 
twenty  parcels  of  land, "  nine  parcels  on  the  east  side  of  Nanga- 
tnck  Biver  southward  from  Mattatnck  town,  which  comprises 
all  the  land  below,  betwixt  Beacon  Hill  Brook  and  the  hither 
end  of  Judd's  meadows,  called  by  the  name  of  Sqontk,  and 
from  Nangatuck  River  eastward  to  Wallingford  and  New 
Haven  bounds,  with  all  the  low  lands  upon  the  brook  formen- 
tioned;  and  eleven  parcels  on  the  west  side  of  the  first  parcel," 
having  certain  relations  not  easy  to  understand,  to  Cedar 
Swamp,  the  middle  of  Toamtick  Pond,  Q\iasepang  Pond,  and 
AVood bury  bounds ;  at  the  north  j>art,  butting  east  on  "  Nau- 
gatuck  or  Mattatuck  River,"  and  at  the  south  part,  east  on  the 
lands  first  mentioned.  These  twenty  parcels  of  land  seem  to 
have  been  contiguous  tracts,  each  liaving  a  distinct  Indian 
name  given  in  the  deed,  and  lying  in  the  southern  and  south- 
western parts  of  the  township.  Tiiey  are  included,  it  will  be 
observed,  in  tlie  tirst  and  third  purchases  from  the  Farming- 
ton  Indians  ;  but  were  also  claimed,  it  ap]>ear8.  by  the  Derby 
Lulians.  AVithout  inquiring  very  ])articularly  into  the  justice 
of  the  claim,  it  was  thought  expedient  to  extinguish  it  by  pur- 
chase. 


Digitized  by  Google 


6^ 


HISTORY  OF  WATESBUET. 


On  the  28th  day  of  June,  1711,  Cockapatane,  Sagamore  of 
"Saugosset  "  and  Tom  Indian,  his  son,  for  twenty  five  shillings 
deeded  to  the  pro])rietor8  of  Waterbiiry  "a  small  piece  of 
land  "  nortli  of  Derby  bounds,  west  of  Naugatuck  lliver  and 
south  of  Toantick  Brook. 

Tims  the  limits  of  ancient  "Waterburv,  as  descriljed  bv  the 
several  deeds  from  the  Indians,  extended  from  nortli  to  south 
eighteen  miles,  and  from  east  to  west,  nine  nules  towards  the 
nortbern  line  and  six  miles  towards  the  south. 

The  territory  in  question  was  all  honestly  j)nrcliased,  most 
of  it  twice,  and  some  of  it  three  times.  And  it  was  bought 
not  with  baubles,  but  with  hard  cash.  However  it  may  have 
been  in  other  cases,  our  ancestors  did  not  get  possession  of 
their  lands  bj  robbery,  or  finesse.  Tliey  were  neither  "  filli- 
busters "  nor  cheats.  What  they  had  of  this  world's  goods, 
which  was  but  little,  they  paid  for.  Doubtless,  those  who 
conveyed  their  lands  did  not  obtain  possession  by  a  method 
equally  jost  But  it  has  been  claimed  that  the  Indian  own- 
ers or  occupants  of  the  soil  did  not  know  the  significance 
of  a  deed  by  which  they  parted  with  their  titles,  and  could 
not  comprehend  the  consequences  of  their  acts.*  But  they 
did  know  what  a  sale  meant*  They  did  know  in  our  case, 
(as  there  are  the  best  reasons  to  believe,)  as  they  signed 
the  deeds  with  <^  marks  uncouth,"  that  they  were  selling 
their  lands,  and  thus  giving  up  the  right  of  possession. 
And  as  for  consequences,  even  the  white  purchasers  had  but 
the  dimnest  notions.  Were  tiiey  to  wake  up  from  their  long 
deep,  and  see  what  our  eyes  behold  in  the  year  1857,  their 
astonishment  would  be  unmeasured.  Nor  was  the  price  paid 
so  entirely  disproportionate  to  the  thing  bought.  Sixty-three 
pounds — the  amount  of  all  the  purchase  money — was  to  the 
first  planters  of  Waterbury,  a  large  sum.  It  probably  repre- 
sented as  mueli  wealth  as  the  lands  would  have  sold  for  at  this 
day,  bad  the  country  generally  remained  in  the  undisturbed 
possession  of  the  savages. 

Civilization,  industry,  skill  and  thrift  have  made  the  ^auga- 


•  Jodr  OtarcVk  UMMUM  OataBBlal  Aiinw,  p.  91 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  C 


Digiti^uQ  by  Cj^j^.wtL 


UI8TOBY  OF  WATERBUBT, 


65 


atuck  valley  what  it  is.  The  wealth  which  exists  here  to  day 
has  been  created  bv  their  a<jencv.  The  soil  has  been  subdued 
and  ini[)n)ved,  its  inciiinbrances  removed  and  its  capacities 
developed.  Fences,  bridges,  roads,  railways,  niill-danis,  mills, 
factories,  store  lupuses  and  dwellings  have  been  built.  Quar- 
ries have  been  opened,  swamps  drained,  stones  removed  and 
trees  felled.  Farms  have  been  stocked  with  hoi-ses,  horned 
cattle,  sheep  and  swine.  Superior  grasses  have  been  introduc- 
ed and  orchards  planted.  The  Indians  did  none  of  these 
things — transferred  none.  Tliey  conveyed  the  naked  soil, 
(much  of  it  literally  naked,)  without  any  improvements,  and 
totally  untitted  in  its  then  natural  state  for  the  abode  of  civil- 
ized men.  They  sold  that  of  which  they  had  a  superfluity, 
and  which  they  were  incapable  of  putting  to  profitable  use. 
It  was  the  smallest  fraction  of  a  continent  running  to  \vaste, 
awaiting  a  purcliaser  and  the  application  of  capital.  Tlie 
value  which  population  and  cultivation,  labor,  skilled  and  un- 
skilled, invention,  science,  capital  and  commerce  have  iciven, 
should  be  kept  distinct  from  natural  and  inherent  value.  The 
former  our  fathers  did  not  purchase,  and  did  not  obtain,  and 
for  which  it  did  not  behoove  them  to  pay.  The  latter  they 
bought,  and  like  honest  men,  paid  for  it  They  thought  they 
gave  a  flur  equivalent— more  indeed,  perhaps,  than  they  would 
have  been  willing  to  give,  had  it  not  been  for  theur  ignorance 
of  better  lands,  at  cheaper  rates,  farther  west,  and  in  other 
localities.  If  they  took  advantage  of  the  ignorance  of  the 
natives,  they  lost  more,  it  may  be  plausibly  said,  by  their  own 
lack  of  information.  At  any  rate,  for  many  long  years  they 
apparently  considered  their  bargain  a  hard  one  ;  and  most 
likely,  had  it  not  been  for  their  improvements,  would  have 
abandoned  the  settlement.  Many  did  so,  glad  to  escape  at  any 
necessary  sacrifice. 

Tlie  wild  Indian  is  not  the  precise  being  he  is  represented 
in  many  works  of  romance.  lie  has  been  painted  as  possess- 
ed of  certain  manly  traits,  and  the  truth  of  the  likeness,  illus- 
trated by  certain  examples.  But  his  general  character  is  quite 
the  reverse.  He  is  given  to  lying,  clieating,  thieving,  lie 
is  lazy,  thriltless,  faithless,  bloodthirsty,  lie  lives  like  a  rob- 
ber and  a  vagabond.   His  cunning  and  his  courage  are  like 

5 


Digitized  by  Google 


66 


HISTORY  OF  WATERBUBY. 


those  that  belong  to  oertain  beasts  of  prej.  The  only  restndnts 
he  knows  are  those  imposed  by  indolence  and  fear.  Brought 
into  contact  with  a  civilized  people,  he  learns  all  their  vices,  but 
not  one  of  their  virtues.  He  becomes  a  drunkard — an  outcast. 
Every  persistent  attempt  to  civilize  and  Christianize  him  has 
resulted  in  tlie  annihilation  of  the  race.  lie  is  essentially,  as 
is  now  generally  admitted,  untanuible,  as  much  bo  as  certain 
wild  animals.  Attempts  to  improve  him,  do  violence  to  his 
nature,  and  in  a  few  generations  sweep  him  out  of  existence. 
His  character  is  essentially  detective.  He  appears  to  lack  the 
moral  sentiments  necessary  to  a  higher  life.  Tliese  the  a})pli- 
ances  of  civilization  are  inadequate  to  suji])ly.  I  admit  there 
is  a  difference  in  different  tribes,  and  that  various  degrees  of 
partial  improvement,  among  certain  Indian  races,  have  some- 
times resulted  from  the  efforts  of  philanthropists.  Keverthe- 
less,  tliat  the  general  fact  is  as  stated,  is  undeniable. 

The  Indian  titles  to  the  lands  proposed  to  be  included  in  the 
township  being  secured,  the  inhabitunts  of  Mattatuck  were 
prepared  for  a  town  patent,  or  act  of  incorporation.  They 
presented  a  petition  to  the  General  Court  at  the  May  session 
of  1685,  praying  for  "a  Patent  for  the  confirmation  of  their 
lands  onto  the  present  proprietors."  They  chose  Serg.  Thomas 
Jndd  and  Serg.  John  Stanley  Patentees  to  take  out  a  Patten 
for  ihe  township."  Other  names,  however— those  of  Kobert 
Porter,  Edmund  Scott,  Isaac  Bronson  and  John  Welton — are 
inserted  in  the  instrument  itself. 

Probably  the  application  was  made  at  this  particular  time 
on  account  of  the  critical  condition  of  the  CSolony.  James  11 
had  ascended  the  throne  of  England  and  nothing  good  was 
expected  from  his  reign.  There  was  some  delay,  however,  in 
obtaining  the  patent  In  the  mean  time,  three  sncoesslTe 
writs  of  quo  warranto*  were  served  on  the  Gfovemor  and  Com- 
pany of  the  Colony,  and  it  became  evident  that  the  Charter 
was  doomed.  The  inha])itant8  of  Connecticut  were  of  course 
greatly  alarmed.  The  jn'ojtle  (A'  the  <liti'erent  towns  and  settle- 
ments were  in  liable  to  get  their  land  titles  and  town  franchises 
secured  by  a  patent  from  the  local  government,  in  anticipation 

*4  wamuit  nqairinf  Um  partjr  nmmoiwd  to  Appear  is  oonrt  and  ab«ir  hf  what  aalheitlr 
Sm  pawcra  of  ^Ttnuacnt  vara  axfialNd. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8TOKT  OF  WA.TSBBUKT, 


67 


of  its  (lissolution.  Tims  tliev  hoped  to  save  themselves  from 
tile  oxtnrtionato  (ieinunds  of  royal  governors.  The  General 
Court  had  authorized  the  governor  and  secretary  of  the  Col- 
ony, in  May,  1G85,  to  give  patents  and  deeds  to  the  projirie- 
tors  of  every  townsliij)  of  all  lands  and  rights,"  6:c.  All  the 
towns  then  existing  availed  themselves  of  the  privilege,  and 
tlie  new  plantation  fieized  the  opportunity  to  gain  a  similar 
grant. 

Mattatuclv  was  invested  with  town  privileges,  in  tke  usual 
way,  May,  1686.  Here  is  the  Ibrm : — 

TbiB  Court  Grants  that  Mattatuck  sball  be  and  belong  to  county  of  Hartford 
and  the  name  of  the  pfauitafloii  shall  for  the  fiitore  be  Waterbury.  [Hay  18, 1686.] 

The  new  town  took  the  name  of  Waterbury  on  account  of 
its  nnmcrouB  rivers,  rivulets,  ponds,  swamps,  "  ^^^^gSJ  niead- 
ows  "  and  wet  lands.  But-i/  is  anotlier  way  of  spelling  borough 
or  burg,  and  signifies  a  dwelling  place.  It  is  a  pity  the  beau- 
tiful old  Indian  name  of  Mattatuck  was  not  retained.  But 
our  Puritan  ancestors  regarded  these  native  words  as  heathen- 
ish, and  were  in  haste  to  discard  and  forget  them.  Latterly, 
they  have  been  in  some  cases  revived  and  applied  to  the  new 
towns,  to  corporatioiis  and  various  local  institntions  and  objects. 
Our  friends  down  the  river  showed  their  good  sense  when  they 
called  their  new  town  Naugatuck,  (another  beautiful  name,) 
where  the  second  settlement  in  the  valley  was  made. 

Sir  Edmund  Andres,  of  charter  memory,  arrived  in  Boston, 
Dec.  1686.  Waterbury's  patent  was  issued  soon  after,  bearing 
date  Feb.  8th,  1686-T. 

Whereas  the  Gonorall  Court  of  Connecticut  hmio  formerly  Orantod  unio  the 
inli.'ihitantH  of  Wat.  rlMiry  all  tliose  hwuU  within  tliese  nhntiiu  nts  viz  n|ion  Now 
Ilaveu  in  part  &  .MillorJ  in  part  k  Derby  in  jwrt  ou  llie  south  k  upon  Woodbury 
in  part  L  upon  the  comons  in  part  on  the  west  it  upon  Comon  knd  on  the 
North:  k  east  in  part  upon  ikrodngton  Bonnda  k  in  part  upon  the  comons  k  from 
the  South  to  the  north  line  extends  Thirteen  Miles  in  length  &  from  farniington 
Bounds  to  Woodbury  about  nine  Miles  breadth  at  the  N'orth  k  f^omc  what  lf*«s  nt 
the  S<i'ith  end  the  gayd  lands  hauinu'  \>ron  t»y  purchass  or  othcrwi'^e  lawfully  nb- 
tayncd  of  the  native  proprietors,  And  wliereas  the  proprietors  Inhabitant:}  of  Wa- 
terbury in  the  colony  of  Connecticut  in  XewengUind  hane  made  application  to  the 
Governor  k  eompa&y  of  the  sayd  colony  of  Conneetient  assembled  in  Court  the 
fourteenth  of  may  one  Thousand  Six  Hundred  k  Eighty  fine  that  they  may  hauc 
a  patent  for  the  confirmation  of  the  afoarsayd  lands  as  it  is  Butted  k  Bounded 


Digitized  by  Google 


68 


B18I0BT  OF  WATEBBUBY. 


wioumjd  into  the  prewnt  proprietor!  of  the  njd  Township  efWaterbnrj  whkh 
thej  hene  for  iome  yean  put  eqlojed  irithovt  btemiplitHi  Now  for  mote  foil 

confirmation  of  the  premises  &  afoarsayd  Tract  of  land  as  it  is  batted  and  Bound- 
ed afoarsiiyd  unto  the  prt'«cnt  proprietors  of  the  Township  of  Watcrluiry  Know 
ycv  that  the  nayd  Gov'  &  company  assembled  in  Generall  Court  according  to  the 
commission  granted  to  them  by  our  late  Soveraign  Lord  King  Charles  the  Second 
of  the  Ueeied  Memory  in  Us  letters  petent  bearing  date  tlie  Three  It  Twentyeth 
day  of  April  in  the  fourteenth  year  of  his  Sayd  Ma***^  Reigne  haoe  giren  and 
Granted  k  by  those  presents  doc  giuc  grant  rattify  &  confirm  unto  Thomas  Judd 
John  Standly  Robert  Porter  Edmund  Scott  Isaac  Bruneon  John  Wilton  &  the  rest 
of  the  proprietors  Inhabitants  of  the  Towne  of  Waterbury  &  their  heirs  k  aiisigns 
forever  k  to  each  of  them  in  such  proportion  as  they  hane  already  agreed  upon 
ibr  the  A  vision  of  the  Same  all  that  a  foarsayd  Traet  of  land  as  it  is  bntted  and 
Bounded  together  with  all  the  woods  uplands  arable  lande  meadows  postures  ponds 
waters  RiucrsfishingH  fotilinps  mines  Mineralls  Quarries  k  precious  Stones  upon 
and  within  the  sayd  Tract  of  lands  with  all  other  profits  and  comodities  there- 
unto belonging  or  in  any  wise  appertaining  k  we  doe  also  Grant  unto  the  afore 
named  Thomas  Judd  Jolm  Standly  Robert  Forter  Bdnrand  &oCt  Isaae  Bmneon 
John  Wilton,  k  the  rest  of  the  p^sent  proprietors  Inliabitante  of  Watecbnry 
there  heirs  and  assigns  forcucr,  that  tlio  forcsayd  Tracts  of  land  shall  be  foreuer 
hereafter  deemed  reputed  k  be  an  Intire  Township  of  it  Sclli-  to  Ikuk-  k  to  hold 
the  sayd  Tract  of  lands  k  premises  with  all  k  Singular  tlioir  appurtenunces 
together  with  the  privilcdges,  Immunities  k  franchises  herein  given  k  granted 
to  tho  sayd  Thomas  Judd  John  Stanly  Robert  Porter  Edmund  Soott  Isaae 
Brunson  John  Wilton  it  others  the  preeent  proprietors  InhaMlants  of  Wa- 
terbnry  their  heirs  assigns  k  to  the  only  proper  use  and  bchoofe  of  the 
sayd  Tliomaa  Judd  John  Standly  Kohert  Porter  Edmund  Scott  Isaac  Brunson 
John  Wilton  k  the  other  proprietors  Inhabitants  of  Waterbury  their  heirs 
k  assignes  forever  according  to  the  Tcnnoro  of  his  Ha'^**  Manor  of  East 
Greenwich  in  tho  Cbunty  Kent  in  the  Kingdom  of  fingland  hi  fee  ft  commoii 
soeesge  It  not  In  oapitee  nor  KaJght  semiee  they  yeilding  k  paying  therefore  to 
our  SoTOrigne  Lord  the  King  his  heirs  k  successors  onely  the  fifth  part  of  all 
th<^  oarc  of  Gold  k  Silver  which  from  time  to  time  k  at  all  times  hereafter  shall  be 
there  gotten  had  or  olit. lined  in  Luc  of  all  rents  services  dutys  k  demands  what- 
soever according  to  the  charter  in  witness  whereof  we  have  here  unto  affixed  the 
ssal  of  the  Colony  this  eighth  of  febnaiy  in  the  Third  year  of  the  reign  of  e* 
Soneraigne  lord  Jamea  the  Seeond  by  thegraoeof  Oodof  Enf^d  Scotland  firanoe 
k  Ireland  King  defender  of  the  faythe  of  o'  Lord  1686: 
Pr  order  of  tlie  Generall  Court  of  Connecticut 

John  Allts  Secrct'y 

At  the  May  sesBioii  of  the  General  Court,  in  1703,  the  Wa* 
tcrbttiy  patent,  as  well  as  the  patents  of  the  other  towns  in  the 
Colony,  was  confirmed  in  the  following  act : 

Whereas  the  OonH  tfd  authorise  Vay  14|  168S,  tho  Goremor  Ik  Seeretary  of 

the  Colony  to  give  Patents  or  deeds  to  the  proprietors  of  erery  township  [&e]  of 
all  lands  &  rights  [&c]  &  did  ratify  all  sequestrations,  and  donations,  [«tc.]  it  is 
hereby  enacted  that  the  se?eral  above  mentioned  lands  with  all  the  rights  [Ito.] 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0BY  OB  WATE8BUBY. 


69 


contained  in  the  above  mentioned  Pattcnt,s  shall  be  remain  full  k  clear  estate  lO 
the  Proprietors  of  the  respective  townH  mentioned  [«^c.]  <t  tlic  landH  scqueeteredA 
given  to  public  and  pious  utsca  shall  remain  forever  for  the  same,  [&c.] 

At  the  October  Besaion  of  1720,  the  proprietors  of  Water- 
bury  petitioned  that  a  new  deed  of  release  and  quit  claim  of 
and  in  the  landa  within  the  town  may  be  granted  and  be  signed 
and  sealed  by  the  Honorable  the  GrOTemor  and  the  Secre- 
tary." The  petition  was  granted  and  a  patent  foraished  in  a 
more  approved  and  ample  form. 

One  reason  for  this  new  deed  appears  to  have  been  the  ne|i^ 
lect  to  enter  the  names  of  all  the  proprietors,  the  grantees,  in 
the  former  deed.  Other  reasons  were  probably  fonndinthe 
irregular  practices  and  informal  proceedings  of  the  pro> 
prietors  in  disposing  of  their  lands,  hereafter  to  be  noticed. 
The  original  patent,  in  the  hand  writing  of  Mr.  Sonthmayd, 
(except  the  date  and  siguatures,)  is  in  the  writer's  possession  : 

To  all  people  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  the  Governor  and  Company  of 
the  English  Colony  of  Connecticut,  in  New  En;^l;uid  in  Amerit  a,  Fend,  Greeting,  &c. 

 Know  Yk,  that  whereas  all  the  lands  contained  within  the^e  abutments,  Viz. 

beginning  at  a  certain  chestnut  tree  marked  and  stones  about  it,  which  is  Water* 
biiT7*a  Math  west  corner  and  Woodbury**  aontli  east  comer,  thence  mnning  north- 
ward thirteen  mUes  to  a  enudl  while  oak  tree  nwri^ed  idth  divert  letteia,  and  ft  heap  of 
stones  about  it,  whieli  tree  is  Waterbury's  north  west  comer  and  Woodbury's 
north  east  corner,  thence  running  east  eight  mile.s  till  it  strikfs  Karmington  bounds, 
thence  running  south  to  the  south  west  corner  of  Fariuington  bounds,  thence  east 
till  it  comes  upon  WaUingford  bounds,  and  from  thence  a  straight  line  to  a  certain 
cheatnnt  tree,  Imown  by  the  name  of  the  three  rfsteia,  which  tree  is  Waterbury's 
south  east  corner,  ft  Wallingford's  south  west  comer,  New  Haven^i  north  west 
corner,  and  Milford*s  north  east  corner,  thence  westerly  a  mile  and  dx  score  rods 
to  Milford's  north  west  corner,  thence  south  to  Beacon  Brook,  thence  westward  as 
the  brook  runs,  to  a  great  rock  marked  on  the  west  side  of  Naugatuck  River, 
thence  a  straight  line  to  the  twelve  mile  stake,  thence  west  to  forementioned  tree 
which  is  Waterbnry**  south  west  oomer  and  Woodbury's  south  east  comer,  and 
is  about  five  miles  and  a  half  in  breadth  at  the  south  end  of  the  bounds,  butting 
west  on  Woodbury,  north  in  part  on  Litchfield  and  in  part  on  country  land,  to 
the  cast  in  part  upon  Farmington  and  in  part  upon  Wallinpford,  to  the  Fouth  in 
part  upon  Milford  and  in  part  upon  Derby. — Were  purchased  and  lawfully  obtain- 
ed  of  the  Indian  native  proprietors,  and  have  been  possessed  and  hnpsoved,  tor 
the  space  of  more  than  forty  years,  by  the  persons  whose  names  are  hereafter 
mentioned,  bdng  present  inliabitanta  and  proprietors  of  Wateibury,  in  the  Conn 
ty  of  Hartford  and  Colony  of  Connecticut  aforesaid. 

And  Whereas  King  Charles  the  second,  our  late  sovereign  lord  of  England,  &c., 
by  letters  patent,  under  the  great  seal  of  England,  by  writ  of  privy  seal,  bearing 
date  the  twenty  eight  day  of  April,  in  the  fourteenth  year  <^  his  reign,  did  give 


Digitized  by  Google 


70 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATBBBVBr. 


and  grant  and  confirm  unto  ua  the  said  Governor  and  Company  all  the  landa  with- 
in the  Colony  aforesaid,  in  which  those  lands  are  included,  and  the  said  Governor 
and  Company  did  in  the  year  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  eighty  five,  May  the 
fourteenth,  grant  letters  patent  for  the  land  above  s<'  to  Thomas  Judd,  Esq.,  John 
Stenle  J,  Bdnrand  SooU  Imm  Bronson,  and  John  Wdton,  and  othen  the  then  In- 
habltanto  of  Watefbnrjr,  whose  names  dionid  have  been  then  enrolled  bnt  were 
not, — For  this  and  other  reasons  and  good  causes,  the  said  Thomas  Judd,  E^., 
and  other  the  inhabitants,  proprietors  of  Watcrbury,  now  movinj;  to  us  the  Gov- 
ernor and  Company  in  general  court  assembled,  for  tlic  more  sure  making  and 
hrm  establishing  of  the  rights  to  us  given  of  the  lands  aforesaid  unto  them  accord- 
ing to  the  several  deseents,  deriiee,  grants,  divisions,  agreements,  to  them  fidlen, 
given,  made,  oonoloded,  purchased,  or  purohaaee  by  them  made  or  procured,  ac- 
cording to,  or  as  arc,  to  be  found  in  their  town  records,  from  time  to  time,  as  they 
come  to  the  said  Thomas  Judd,  and  all  other  the  inhabitants,  proprietors  of  Wa- 
terbury,  whose  names  arc  hereafter  declared,  and  whereby  their  several  rights, 
proprieties  and  properties  and  proportitms  am  dtstlngddMd  whodier  holden  hj 
them  In  fee  simple  or  fee  tall,  or  eoniidered  Ibr  Ofe,  or  Hves,  oryears,  in  severely, 
or  as  tenants,  joint-tenants,  or  as  partners— 

Jfow  Know  Ye  that  we  the  said  Governor  and  Company  in  Cn  lu ml  Cowrx  ap-eni- 
blcd,  by  virtue  of  the  letters  patent,  to  us  given  by  our  soven  igu  loi  il  Kiiif:  Cliarii  > 
the  second,  of  happy,  blessed  memory,  have  granted,  remised,  rvk>ui>ed  and  quitted 
daim,  and  by  these  presents,  do  fully  and  absolutely  for  us  and  our  sneoessors, 
give,  grant,  remise,  release,  and  altogether  for  ns  and  oar  snecessors,  quit  efadm, 
ratify,  approve  and  confirm  in  the  quiet  and  peaceable  and  firm  seizin  and  pooses 
sion  of  the  said  Thomas  Judd,  Esq.,  John  Stanley,  Edmund  Scott,  Isaac  Bronson, 
John  Welton,  Capt.  Thomas  Judd,  Esq.,  John  Southmayd,  Timothy  Stanley,  John 
Hopkins,  Abraham  Andruss,  Sen.,  John  Kichards,  Edmund  iScott,  the  heirs  of 
Abraham  Andruss,  Jr.,  the  heirs  of  Jolm  Newell,  the  hdrs  of  Jdm  Citrrington, 
the  heirs  of  Daniel  Warner,  John  Bcovill,  Sen.,  Thomas  Judd,  the  heirs  oif  Joseph 
Gaylord,  the  heirs  of  John  Bronson,  Daniel  Porter,  Sen.,  the  heirs  of  Philip  Judd, 
Thomas  Newell,  Jeremiah  Peck,  Jonathan  Scott,  Sen.,  Richard  Porter,  Stephen 
Upson,  Sen.,  the  School,  the  Parsonage,  Samuel  Stanley,  Isaac  Bronson,  William 
Hickox,  Thomas  Ilickox,  Sjimuel  Scott,  Ephraim  Warner,  Thomas  Upson,  Thomas 
Andrusa,  John  Bronson,  Thomas  Richards,  Sen.,  John  Barnes,  Bcujumiu  Warner, 
Thomas  Bronson,  Ebeneaer  Bnmson,  Samuel  Porter,  Obadlah  Scott,  the  heh«  of 
Thomas  Welton,  Ctoorge  Welton,  the  heirs  of  Stephen  Welton,  Ebeneaer  Hickox, 
Jr.,  Stephen  Upson,  Jr.,  the  heirs  of  John  Richards,  Jr.,  Thomas  Barnes,  Samuel 
Warner,  Sen.,  John  Scovill,  Jr.,  Ebenezcr  Richason,  Thonnus  Clark,  Georpe  Scott, 
Jr.,  David  Scott,  Son.,  Jonathan  Scott,  Jr.,  John  Welton,  Jr.,  the  heir.s  of  John 
Riohason,  Stephen  Hopkins,  Joseph  Lewis,  William  Judd,  Daniel  Porter,  Jr.,  the 
hdrs  of  John  Judd,  Timothy  Hopkins,  George  Scott,  Sen.,  Jodiua  Peck,  Richard 
Welton,  Benjamin  Warner,  Sen.,  Daniel  Sbelton,  Joseph  Prime,  Josiah  Phtt, 
James  Fenn,  Moses  Blachly,  [Blakeslec,]  John  Prout,  Tliomas  Furney,  [Tumey,] 
.Joseph  Mo?s,  Israel  Moss,  Richard  Bronson,  the  heirs  of  Simiu-l  Howard,  Eliza- 
beth Wilson,  Joseph  Birdsey,  the  heirs  of  Thomas  Richason,  John  Head,  James 
Brown,  the  heirs  of  Serg.  Jamuel  Hickox,  Ilezekiah  Rew,  Ebenezcr  Hickox,  Sen., 
Samuel  Mix,  Silvanus  Baldwin,  James  Bkchly,  [BUkesIee,]  Samuel  Barnes,  James 
Poiflson,  Samuel  Warner,  the  heirs  of  Obadlah  Richards,  the  heirs  of  Obadlah 


Digitized  by 


HISTORY  OF  WATEEBUBT. 


71 


Seovill,  Jolm  StMilftjr,  the  whole  right,  iitletnd  ddm  which  we  here  fai  or  unto  all 
the  iiborc  add  tnct  of  land,  bounded  u  aboveadd,  with  eU  the  hnildings,  fenoei, 

orchardH,  trees,  wood,  timber,  underwood,  stoiiof,  precious  stones,  quarries,  mines, 
miQeriils,  lands,  uplund-,  pastures,  niar8be$<,  arable  latuln,  niotidowH,  swanijw,  rivers, 
brookd,  creeks,  poudu,  npringa,  watering.s,  islands,  upon  or  within  the  above  said  tract 
of  famd,  end  with  tiie  rights,  members,  appatennncee,  hereditemeoti^  and  die  rever> 
rfonand  reveiriona,  remainder  and  remainden,  rofaltiea,  privilegea,  whatsoever,  of 
into,  within  andoutof  the  premisei),  and  any  and  every  part  and  parcel  of  the  sanie, 
to  them  niid  every  of  them,  their  heirs  uml  li-Sisigns  forever,  according  to  their  and 
each  of  their  several  parts,  portions,  pr<)i)Ortiona,  shares,  rights  and  iiittTi  "-!.-!,  in, 
of  and  unto  the  laud^  above  described,  to  be  distinguished  according  to  their 
aemal  deaeenta,  devises,  grants,  dUrfadona,  agreements,  and  purchases,  aa  of  record 
appeareth,  and  bj  reoorda  of  aaid  town  of  Waterbury  may  be  leen,  (refermce 
thereunto  being  had,)  in  this  instrument —  To  nAVK  and  to  hold,  to  them 
the  said  Thomas  Judd,  Esq.,  John  Stanley,  Edmund  Soott,  Isaac  Bronson,  John 
Weltoti,  Capt.  Thomas  Judd,  John  Southmuyd,  Timothy  Stanley,  John  Hopkins 
and  all  others,  the  inhabitants,  proprietors  of  Waterbury,  whose  names  have  been 
above  deehued,  and  to  thebr  and  each  of  their  h^rs,  according  to  each  one'a 
•everal  proportions  aforesaid,  to  their  proper  use,  b«Mflt  and  behalf  for  ever. 

And  whereas,  there  is  in  the  actual  seizin  and  possession  of  the  said  Thomas 
Judd,  John  Stanley  and  others,  the  inhabitants  and  proprietors  of  Watorbury, 
sundry  lands  within  the  limits  above  described,  called  and  known  by  the  name  of 
sequeetered  lands,  sequestered  by  vote  of  the  town  of  Waterbury  and  reserved 
for  the  town's  use,  intended  to  be  Improved  and  used  by  the  inliabitants  of  aaid 
town  as  commonage,  for  the  common  and  general  feeding  of  cattle,  for  firewood, 
timber,  stone,  and  any  and  all  otlier  the  profits  and  conveniences  thereof,  without 
any  regard  to  the  distinction  of  shares,  rights,  proportions  of  interests,  or  property  in 
the  said  lands — therefore  upon  motion  made  to  us  by  the  said  present  proprietors 
of  Waterbury—* We  the  Governor  and  Company  of  tlie  Ki^ish  Cotony  9i  Connect- 
icut, in  New  England,  in  America,  in  General  Court  assembled,  do  for  onrselves 
and  our  successors,  fully,  freely  and  absolutely,  remise,  release,  quit  claim,  ratify, 
approve  and  confirm,  in  the  quiet  and  peacealtle  ami  firm  seizen  and  possession  of 
the  said  Thomas  Judd,  John  Stanley,  Is4Uic  lironson,  John  Wellon,  Capt.  Thomas 
Judd,  John  Southraayd,  Timothy  Stanley,  John  Hopkins,  and  all  other  the  prcs- 
ent  proprietors,  inhabitants  of  Waterbury,  as  have  been  before  named-4he  wh<de 
right,  title  and  tSaim  thnt  we  have  had,  or  have  in  or  unto  the  sidd  sequestered 
lands  above  descriUed,  limited  and  bounded,  as  the  records  of  the  town  of  Wa- 
terbury will  more  fully  show,  (reference  thereunto  being  hiul,)  To  have  m}d  to 
hold,  to  them  the  said  Thomas  Judd,  John  Stanley  and  others  the  i)ro|)rii  (r)rs 
above  named,  their  heirs,  successors  and  assigns,  in  equal  proportion,  as  town 
commons,  to  be  ever  improved,  used  and  occupied  by  them,  the  parties  above 
named,  ttieir  sneoessors  and  assigns,  in  the  way  and  manner  above  set  forth, 
(whi^  was  the  design  and  intent  of  the  first  sequestration,)  without  any  disUnc- 
tion  and  particular  limitation  of  the  yearly  and  constant  profits  «ri-ing  tlierefrom 
to  the  several  proprietors  among  themselves,  and  never  to  he  iniproju  iated,  grunt- 
ed, divided,  or  taken  up  in  severalty,  until  three  quarters  ot  the  proprietors,  inhabit- 
ants  of  Wateri>ury,  shall  agree  thereunto. 

The  whole  of  what  b  hi  this  instmment  above  released,  qidt  daimed  and  con^ 
firmed,  7h  hMc^  his  Hagesty,  his  hdrs  and  suecessors,  according  to  the  tenor  of 


Digitized  by  Google 


72 


HUTOBT  OF  WATBRBUBT. 


his  Magosty's  Manor  of  East  Greenwich,  in  tlio  County  of  Kent,  in  that  part  of 
the  Kingdom  of  Great  Britiun  formerly  called  £Dgiaud,  in  free  and  common  soc- 
cage,  rendering,  yielding  and  paying  therefor  to  onr  sovereign  lord  the  King,  his 
heire  andfuoceasorB,  for  ever,  only  the  llflii  put  of  tU  the  oer  of  gold  and  lilver 

which,  from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times  hereafter,  ahall  be  gotten  and  obtained^ 
in  lieu  of  all  services,  duties  and  demands  whatsoever,  according  to  the  cluirtor  of 
us  the  said  (Jovernor  unci  Company  granted,  without  any  manner  of  claim,  clial- 
Icnge,  or  demand  whatsoever,  to  be  had  or  made  by  m*,  or  our  successors,  in  any 
niMiner  of  win— 

In  witnesB  whereol^  we  have  caneed  the  aeal  of  tiie  sud  Oolooy  to  be  hereunto 

affixed,  this  twenty  eighth  day  of  October  anno  Domo.  one  thou^nd,  seven  hun- 
dred and  twenty,  in  the  T"*  year  of  the  reign  of  OUT  aoveielgn  lord  George  of 
Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland,  King. 


Bbs.  Wtutc.  Secretary. 

It  is  manifestly  the  intention  of  the  above  deed  to  enumer- 
ate, as  grantees,  either  individually  or  as  the  heirs  of  certain 
persons,  all  those  who,  at  the  time,  were  owners  of  land,  (or 
who  had  titles  of  land,)  divided  and  undivided,  in  the  town  of 
Waterbnry.  Viewed  in  this  light,  the  catalogue  is  fnll  of  in- 
terest llie  five  patentees  of  1686  are  mentioned  in  the  begin- 
ning. Three  of  them  were  deceased.  With  the  exception  of 
these  and  of  those  persons  whose  heirs  "  are  referred  to,  the 
individuals  named  were  living  at  the  time.  Several  of  diem 
(most  of  those  bearing  unfamiliar  names)  were  non-resident 
landholders.  The  following  persons  were  not  (and  never  had 
been)  residents  of  the  town  : 

Silvanus  Baldwin  of  Milford,  Joseph  Birdsey,  James  Blachly  of  New  Haven, 
afterwards  of  Litchfield  and  Wuterbury,  Moses  Blachly  of  New  Haven,  afterwards 
of  Waterbury,  Kiduird  Brouson  of  Woodbury,  Jameg  Brown  of  New  Haven,  after- 
wards of  Waterbury,  James  Fenn  of  MBford,  Samiiel  Howard  (heira^)  Samuel 
Uiz  of  New  Haven,  Israel  Moss  of  Derby,  Joseph  Moss  of  Derby,  Joshh  Piatt  of 
MUford,  James  Poisson,  Joseph  Prime  of  Milford,  (Capt.)  John  Prout  of  New 
Haven,  John  Reed  of  *'  Lonetown,"  Fairfield  County,  Hezekiah  Itew  of  Milford, 
Daniel  Sheltnn  of  Stratford  and  Ripton,  Thomas  Turney  of  New  Haven,  Elisabeth 
Wilt^on  of  Hartford,  (who  held  a  mortgage  on  land  of  John  Welton,  Jr.) 

The  patents,  it  will  be  observed,  make  Waterbnry  thirteen 
miles  in  length.  As  for  breadth,  that  of  1686  describes  it  as 
nine  miles  at  the  northern  part,  and  somewhat  less  at  the 
south ;  while  that  of  1720  speaks  of  it  as  eight  miles  broad  at 
the  north,  and  five  and  a  half  at  the  south  end.  These  descrip- 
tions very  essentially  curtail  the  limits  of  the  town,  as  they 


O.  SaLTomTALL  Gov'. 


Digitized  by 


UISTOBT  OF  WAISBBCBT* 


73 


are  set  fortli  by  the  Indian  deeds.  Probably  it  was  the  inten- 
tion of  the  granfoi*s,  in  tluis  describing  the  boundaries  of  the 
town,  to  avoid  the  possibility  of  encFoacbliig  on  adjoining 
grants.  It  bordered  on  neighboring  towns  the  limits  of  which 
had  not  yet  been  certainlj  determined.  In  trath,  nobody 
knew,  at  the  early  dates  of  which  I  am  speaking,  how  mnch 
territory  there  was  that  lay  north  of  the  Derby  line  and  be- 
tween die  Farmington  and  Wallingford  bounds  on  the  east 
and  the  Woodbury  bounds  on  the  west.  As  the  limits  of  Wa- 
terbury  were  finally  settled,  the  town  extended  from  north  to 
south,  on  a  meridian  line,  seventeen  miles,  and  from  east  to 
west,  at  ita  broadest  part,  nine  miles.  Towards  the  southern  * 
extremity  its  ndes  approached,  so  that  on  the  Derby  and  Mil- 
ford  border  it  was  but  about  five  and  a  quarter  miles  across. 
Its  average  length  may  have  been  sixteen  miles,  and  its  aver- 
age breadth,  eight  and  one  third  miles.  It  could  not  have 
contained  les«i  than  one  hundred  and  thirtv-tlircc  square  miles, 
or  eiglity-iive  thousand  acres.  These,  divided  t'<^u<///y  among 
the  thirty -six  original  j)ropriet()i-s,  would  have  given  twenty- 
three  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  land  to  each — a  pretty  fair 
landed  estate. 

Tlie  limits  of  the  old  town,  as  above  defined,  comprehend 
the  present  towns  of  Waterbury,  AVatertown  and  Plymoutli, 
half  of  Wolcott,  a  small  part  of  Oxford,  the  greater  por- 
tion of  Middlebury,  more  than  a  third  of  Prospect,  and  nearly 
the  whole  of  Naugatuck.  This  tract  of  territory,  which  a  com- 
mittee of  the  colonial  government  estimated  as  sufficient  to 
maintain  thirty  families,  now  contains  a  population  of  (say) 
fourteen  thousand  souls. 

In  consequence  of  the  lack  of  fixed  landmarks,  in  the  original 
deeds  and  patents  of  the  township,  Waterbury  was  involved 
in  frequent,  protracted  and  expensive  controversies,  (which 
were  sometimes  carried  to  the  Assembly  or  the  courts,)  with  the 
bordering  towns.  Throughout  its  entire  boundaries,  in  fact, 
there  seem  to  have  been  but  three  points  which  were  fixed, 
and  assented  to  from  an  early  period.  These  were  the  three 
sisters,"  (the  southeast  comer,)  the  mouth  of  Beacon  Hill 
Brook,  and  a  point  ^'  four  score  rods  from  the  eastermost  part 
of  Quassepaug  Pond,"  on  the  Woodbury  road.  The  length  of 


Digitized  by  Googlc 


74 


HUTOBT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


but  a  bingle  line,  (and  that  a  short  one,)  was  given,  till  after 
the  j):itent  of  1720,  This  line  ran  "  westerly  "  (that  is,  in  some 
direction,  towards  the  west)  one  mile  and  six  score  rods.  It 
began  at  the  "  three  sisters,"  a  i)oint  which  had  been  settled 
as  the  Waterbury  southeast  corner  before  1720. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  colonial  and  town  records 
fihow  (in  part)  what  was  done^  from  time  to  time,  in  way  of 
settling  the  bouidaries  between  Waterbiuy  and  other  towns: 

May  y":  18:  lG8o:  tliea  presents  may  prtefy  v*  gen"  Court  or  whom  it  may  con- 
sern  y'  wc  y*  agents  of  derby  being  desired  and  appointed  bj  7*  Inhabitants  of 
our  town  y  80*  of  sprill  (1680)  haning  fldl  poor  to  oonditde  a  loyn  place  or  pla' 
ees  of  tioaads:  depending  betwixt  mattatooic  and  derby  and  malce  a  final  iamie  of 

y*  matter  before  it  corns  to  y*  ponorall  court  and  we  y*  agents  of  mattatock  Wil. 
liara  iu(l<l  Tlioniiis  Jiuld  and  iohn  sUindly  iur:  hcinp  appointed  hy  our  conimitty  to 
gain  a  coinplyance  with  our  froinds  ioiiepb  iuiukiin  and  able  gun  according  to  y" 
tenor  of  y*  promises  so  fare  as  it  concerns  tbese  two  plantations  we  do  agree  y  so 
y*  geneiall  comt  may  gioe  their  lanotioa  upon  it,  do  by  theie  preaenta  determine 
betwein  us  as  follows,  y*  y*  aouth  lioiinda  of  mattatoclt  do  begin  at  a  alack  at 
derbe  twolue  miles  end  and  firom  y*  stack  to  extend  a  west  loyn  where  derby  uit<l 
mattatock  shall  meet  Woodbury  bound.s  and  from  y'  stake  afore?;'^  att  the  end  of 
derbe  tweluc  miles  to  go  with  a  straight  loyn  to  u  ston  marckcd  with:  m:  on  y* 
north  aid  and:  d:  on  y*  south  sid  lying  on  y*  west  nagatock  or  mattatock  riuer 
and  from  y*  ston  to  f  month  iMeon  lUll  brook  when  it  fidia  into  nagatock  or 
mattatock  riuer  and  y*  brook  to  be  y*  deuident  loyn  east  ward  between  mattatock 
and  dcrl)y  and  this  agreement  is  a  finall  issue  or  a  full  settell  ment  of  y*  s*  bounds 
of  mattatock  and  derby  w  hich  is  to  all  intents  and  purposes  binding  to  them  their 
heirs  assigns  and  sucsesors  as  witness  our  bauds  y*  day  and  date  aboue  men- 
tioned. 

derby  agMits  Ifattatoek  agents 

Jeeeph  liawkina  William  iadd 

Able  gun:  Thomas  iudd 

Jolin  standly  iur 

To  all  whom  it  may  oonoem  be  it  Imown  y*  we  heremto  anbecribing  as  agents 

in  y*  behalf  of  y*  PlantationB  of  woodbury  and  mattatock  by  y*  motion  of  hon- 
ourable freiiuN  and  >vrii:hty  arfjuments  tiA  hereunto  inducing  haue  had  a  meeting 
upon  y«  'I'X^  of  i\ine  Itlso:  in  order  to  y*  selling  of  boundarya  betwein  y«  8'  two 
plantations  and  do  fully  aud  unanimosly  agree  and  consent  as  foloweth  uiz  that 
thete  be  a  loyn  run  du  east  from  ye  weetetmoel  part  of  y*  bounds  agreed  and 
eondnded  between  mattatoek  and  derby  to  mattatock  riuer  and  so  y>  loyne  to  be 
run  frma  y*  S*  riuer  too  mfles  and  twelne  soor  rods  due  west  and  then  a  loyn 
from  y*  eastermoai  part  of  y*  groat  pond  commonly  called  or  known  by  y*  name 
of  quassa[>aug  from  such  a  part  of  y*  pond  as  by  us  already  agreed  on  four  score 
rods  due  east  aud  then  a  straight  loyn  from  y«  tour  ^corc  rod  to  y*  a  fore  sd  west 
comer  iMtwein  derby  and  mattatodc  and  from  y*  afore  ad  coner  or  four  scor  rod 
due  eastfrom  y*  fond  pond  y*  bounds  is  agreed  and  coodnded  to  run  due  north 


Digitized  by  Google 


WWSOm  OF  WATBRBUBT. 


75 


to  ye  extent  uorthward  of  each  plantations  bounds  and  yi  this  our  mutall  agree- 
ment and  Una  wMeUment  of  j*  deuideat  bounds  betwein  oar  plantations  as  aforesd 
is  i^pdfittd  bj  our  aubserilrfi^  berannto  this  twenty  ninth  day  of  Inne  in  y*  yeir  of 
oar  lord  sixteen  hundred  and  eyghty. 

Thomas  Judd  John  Minor 

Isrifll  (^tirti.'i  William  Judd 

John  iStaudly  iur  Joseph  Judson 

May  ItiSl.  This  Court  hauc  granted  that  the  bounds  for  the  pbntation  of  mat- 
tatuck  ^hall  runn  eight  milc«  north  from  the  town  plott,  as  their  stated  bounds  and 
doe  contirme  and  rattifv  the  l)oiuularyt's  agreed  upon  by  Mattatuck  and  Wood- 
bury phiutatious  and  the  bouudurics  agred  upon  between  Mattatuck  and  Derby 
inlubitants,  wliioh  more  et  large  is  sett  down  in  their  subecribed  pepers  by  the 
linnds  of  the  oommitteeenppoynted  by  etch  pkntatioo  and  Mettetoislc  Iwonds  on 
the  east  sliall  be  upon  fkmdngttm  bwmds.* 

Aprill— 3'^— 1703.  Wee  agree  as  followeth  for  boundrys  betwein  derby  and 
Watertmry  to  ran  west  ward  from  y«marlEedBton  or  y«  westsdy*  riuwioastono 
or  roek  on  y*  straight  mountain  with  stones  layd  on  it  and  to  ran  a  straight  loyn 

to  y*  twehie  mile  stake  and  then  run  west  from  s<  stake  by  marked  trocs  and  sta- 
tions T  a  red  oak  with  stono^^  layd  at  botom  J  ly  a  white  oako  3"  ly  a  n-tl  oake 
at  y*  uorea^t  of  to  antick  pond  i  ly  a  white  oake  on  a  long  redg  of  rocks  bouth 
west  from  toaiitick  pond 

for  Waterfoniy  for  derby 

Timothy  Stanly  El>eneser  Johnson 

John  hopkius  honery  Woster 

obadiah  Bichards  Edward  Rigs 

We  hereunto  subeoiibing  agents  fbr  Woodbury  and  Waterbnry  met  together 
Marefa  26th,  1744^  and  began  at  the  known  boundary  east  of  Qua.si<epaug  pond 
and  ran  a  line  north  two  degrees  west  a  straight  line  up  to  a  stake  witli  a  heap  of 
Stones  about  it  the  north  ea^t  corner  of  Woodbury  bounds,  and  tin.-  north  wt'.«t 
corner  of  Waterbury  bounds,  and  haue  erected  monuments  in  about  eighty  rods 
distanoe  on  s*  line,  which  monuments  aro  dasa&ed  by  marking  treee  near  to  them 
with  44 

Epbraim  Minor     \  Agents  Samuel  Hickox  )  Agents  for 

Thomas  Knowls    V   for  WilUam  Judd  )  Waterbuiy 

Timothy  Hinman  )  Woodbury 

April  the  23<*,  1765.  We  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  being  by  the 
towns  of  Milford  and  Waterbnry  appointed  to  settle  the  north  and  west  lines  be- 
tween the  towns  of  Millord  and  Waterbury,  with  the  assistance  of  two  county 
surreyors  for  the  County  of  New  Haven — we  began  at  the  three  sisters  New  Haven 
north  west  eoraer,  mUbrd  north  east  eoner,  Watertmry  south  east  [comer]  with 
mford  and  from  said  ooraer  wo  ran  a  doe  west  Una  one  milo  and  six  seore  rods 
and  made  monuments  once  in  eighty  rods  and  at  the  end  of  said  line  we  made  a 
heap  of  stones  by  a  white  oak  staddio,  then  southward  forty  eight  rods  to  Derby 
north  east  comer,  the  south  side  of  Beacon  Uill  River,  which  hues  we  do  agree 


•CefMirem  Oothm^  Weodbory,  VoL  i,  p.  &8, 


Digitized  by  Google 


UISTOKY  OF  WATEIiBUKY. 


•ad  «llftU&di  to  1m  the  lines  beltveen  tbe  tewne  of  Mlford  end  Weteifraiy.  tSgn- 
«d  im  Waterbury,  upon  tbe  elWTe  4ale,  bj  m 


Uardi  27,  1768,  tbe  seteettneii  of  Derby  and  Waterboiy 
met  at  the  twelve  mile  stake,  and  measured  easterly  to  Beacon 
Hill  Brook  and  westerly  across  Toantick  Pond  to  the  Wood- 
bury line,  giving  distances  and  points  of  eompase. 

It  was  customary  with  the  old  towns,  in  obedience  to  the 
atatates  pnirided  in  such  cases,  to  appoint  a  committee  of  two 
or  more  persons,  annually,  whose  duty  it  was,  in  concert  with 
adjoining  towns,  "  to  perambulate  the  bonnds,"  in  the  month 
of  MarcSi  or  April,  and  ^  to  renew  the  monuments,"  or  bound- 
marks,  which  were  usually  heaps  of  stones  at  tbe  comers, 
and  once  in  eighty  rmls  in  the  lines.  It  was  iLsuiil  also  to  mark 
the  trcvs  and  sometimes  the  stonvs,  as  guidos  to  those  who 
might  follow.  Tlie  penalty  for  ne«2:leet  to  j)eraiubulatc  was 
five  pniiii(Ls-  During  the  controversy  witJi  rariiiin<^ton,  about 
the  dividing  <ine,  Waterbury  passed  a  vote  that  it  wf>uld  not 
perambulate  with  her,  but  prctemed  to  pi^r  the  fine.  This  was 
in  April,  1748. 

PrevioiK  to  February,  16S0-S1,  all  legitiniat<»  authority  in 
the  attaire  of  the  €ettlement  centered  in,  and  emanated  from, 
the  grand  committee.  At  this  time,  however,  they  relieved 
themselves  of  some  of  their  responsibilities,  and  conferred 
certain  powers  and  {)rivileges,  relating  to  local  administration, 
upon  the  people  themselves. 

A«eeling«f  the  Mnkgr  firBAttetiick6b«r  5 1680 att fkradngtoo itt «m  then 

detenidncd  by  T8  that  iho^  townc  ofewra  that  arc  clioscn  by  tbe  in  habitants  of 
mattatuck  shall  cxccut  their  rcppootiuc  ofoscs  and  that  for  the  fulur  the  inhnbit- 
niif"  of  tin*  p^:ioo  V>euiir  onlcrly  callci^  and  conncncil  by  their  maj'  voat  shall  Imue 
liberty  to  chun  tlicir  Touuduieu  Coustubleii  Euruayors  louce  viewers  and  haywards 
<»r  any  other  riud  ofeaen  firom  lime  to  time  withoot  any  ftuiher  order  from  the 
Comity. 

In  1082,  the  committee  farther  determinevl  tliat  tlic  inhab- 
itants shoukl  have  }»ower  to  make  regulations  concerning  the 
imponnding  ot  cattle. 

After  these  dates,  the  cnnmittee,  having  got  the  infant  town 
upon  its  legs,  as  they  conceived,  gradually  withdrew  from  the 


Digitized  by  Google 


IU8TOKT  OF  WATEKBUBY. 


77 


management  of  its  affaire.   They  now  "  adviBed,'*  in  cases  in 

which  they  tbnnerly  ordered."  They  continued,  liowever, 
to  iiKikc  ]iropnetors,  to  reg^dato  the  conditioiiib  of  preprictor- 
ship,  to  determine  questions^  of  forfeiture,  and  to  make  special 
grants  of  land  for  tlie  common  good,  iVrc.  The  acts  of  the 
proprietors  relating  to  these  matters  had  no  force  nntil  approv- 
ed by  tliem.  Tlierr  powers  did  not  terminate,  nor  wci  e  t]»eir 
duties  entirely  at  an  end,  till  the  incorporation  of  tlie  town. 
In  October,  1685,  their  number  had  been  reduced  by  death  to 
two,  a  minority  of  tlic  original  committee.  Tlie  General 
Court  authorized  the  sorTivors  to  continue  their  ftmctions,  as 
follows : 

Oct.  1(:S5.    This  Court  appoint  Major  Tulcott  and  Mr.  W;\(I^worth  to  continue 
their  powers  aa  Comnuttee  for  Mattatock,  uotwitluiUndiDg  the  death  of  some 
their  uuinl»er. 

Tlie  last  official  act  of  tlie  committee  which  I  liave  met  with 
on  our  records  is  one  relating  to  the  way  of  raising  rates  for 
defraying  of  the  ]>nV)Hc  chargers,"  dated  Dec.  26,  1685.  It  is 
an  "order,"  signed  only  by  Major  Talcott,  tlioiigb  it  runs  in 
the  name  of  "  we."  Tliere  is,  however,  a  "  rerpiest  and  desire," 
signed  by  the  '^^  friend  and  servant  [of  the  proprietors]  John 
Wadsworth,"  dated  Sept.  9, 1687,  which  aaks  that  an  oreiBight 
in  laying  out  land  may  be  corrected. 

At  an  early  period,  the  propriet(»%  noticing  that  their  lands, 
which  were  most  valuable  and  conveniently  situated,  were 
gradually  passing  into  the  hands  of  individuals  and  beyond 
the  control  of  the  people  at  large,  determined  toproyide  against 
the  poesible  evila  which  might  result.  Ihejr  reserved  certain 
large,  tracts  for  lutnre  occasions  and  the  coomnon  good. 

Geneo:  S'  8S  Town  by  aotle  granted  y*  al  y*  bogey  mmiam  eaat  from  y* 
town  fence  too  miles  north  and  southward  from  y*  town  ahaU  bo  BoqoMtawd  for 
common  lands  and  too  milea  eaafc  from     afore  ad  Sane 

Another  vote  appears  aUterwards  to  hare  been  passed,  on 
the  same  day,  wMch  sequestered  aU  the  lands  in  the  limits 
mentioned,  making  thrai  common  lands. 

Qeat  9i  SS     town  detrmlned  y^aUy*  landony*eaataidy«  fenoBomidtoy* 

Mill  Riuer  so  to  y*  east  mountain  wc  say  to  danlda  brook  and  to  y*  east  moontaJn 
all  y*  land  in  y*  eoinpa<<  to  he  and  belong  as  common  land 

Several  jem  afterwards,  still  another  vote  was  passed,  de- 
signed apparently  to  extend  and  czphiin  the  preceding. 


Digitized  by  Google 


78 


BUnOBT  OW  WATEBBDBT. 


Gcnnory  y»  6''— 17oJ  y*  proprintors  socpipstercd  for  y«  ti«p  of  y*  town  too 
milos  (roiii  y«  Roing  down  of  }•  hill  beyond  Thomas  hikcox*  hous  en«t  an.!  then 
from  it  too  vailea  north  and  too  miles  south  aud  then  to  run  at  each  end  west  to 
y  oommon  fenee. 

These  votes  gave  origin  to  the  terms  sequester  and  seques- 
tered lands,  on  our  records.  The  territory  described  lay  east 
of  the  village,  being  two  miles  broad  from  cast  to  west  and 
four  long.  It  was  not  regularly  surveyed  till  April,  1716,  when 
Lieut.  Timothy  Stanley  and  William  liickox  were  appointed 
to  lay  it  out.  It  was  set  aside,  irrevocably,  for  public  uses,  its 
benefits  to  be  enjoyed  by  the  inhabitants  in  common,  withont 
any  reference  to  proprietory  ownership.  In  the  divisions  and 
grants  that  were  made,  from  time  to  time,  no  one  had  a  right 
to  locate  his  lands  within  its  boundaries.  It  furnished  pastur- 
age, fire-wood,  timber,  stone,  &c.,  for  all,  as  they  stood  in  need. 
In  several  instances,  when  the  public  interest  was  likely  to  be 
promoted,  grants  of  it  were  made  to  individuals  on  conditions. 

In  prooesa  of  time,  it  was  found  that  lands  lajed  ont,  on  the 
supposed  sequester  line,  overlapped  and  encroached  upon  the 
sequestered  territory,  thus  giving  origin  to  confiicling  claims. 
To  settle  the  difilculty,  tlie  proprietors  voted,  in  1768,  that  all 
lands  laid  out  near  the  reputed  line  of  sequester,  should  remain 
good. 

The  sequester  lands  were  kept  sacred  for  many  years,  or 
were  granted  in  small  parcels  for  a  oommon  good.  At  length, 
however,  they  acquired  value,  and  it  was  not  so  easy  to  keep 
the  hands  off  them.  Eight  acres  were  distributed  to  each 
proprietor  in  1715.  In  1733,  a  vote  was  passed  to  have  a  reg- 
ular division  ;  but  at  a  subsequent  meeting,  it  was  thouirht 
"  likely  to  be  very  ])rcjudieial  to  the  town  "  and  "  ver}'  imprac- 
ticableso  tlie  former  vote  was  reconsidered.  In  January, 
1738-9,  however,  it  was  again  concluded  by  the  proprietors, 
to  have  a  division  of  the  sequestered  land.  One  <piartt'r  of  an 
acre  on  each  pound  propriety  was  distributed.  This  operation 
was  re])e:ited  in  1750  and  afterwards,  till  the  reserved  lands 
were  exhausted.  I  have  not  succeeded  in  finding  the  evidence 
that  these  acts  of  the  proprietors  were  in  conformity  to  the 


•    MTias  IliGkoz't  hooM  it«o4  oo  bit  Ualn  itrNt,  near  tba  hiMM  of  tbe  late  Dr.  Jo»eph 

Porit-r. 


Digitized  by  Google 


IU8TOST  OF  WAT£KBU£T. 


79 


Afisemblj's  confirming  act  of  1703,  and  to  the  town  patent  of 
1720.  By  the  continuing  act  the  hinds  Fequestered  and 
given  to  public  and  pious  uses  [were  to]  remain  forever  for  tJie 
same while  the  patent  declared  tluit  tlie  sequestered  lands, 
BO  called,  should  "  never  he  impropriated,  granted,  divided,  or 
taken  up  in  severalty,  until  three  (piarters  of  the  i»roprietoi*s 
shall  agree  thereunto."  In  the  recorded  votes  ordering  tlie 
divisions  which  have  been  referred  to,  nothing  is  said  about 
"three  (piarters  of  the  proprietors  "  being  in  tlie  major  vote. 

Other  tracts  of  land  were  sequestered  at  dilferent  times,  to 
prevent  a  too  rapid  appropriation  by  individuals.  Tliere  was  a 
large  tract  in  tlie  northwest  quarter,  next  the  Woodbury  line, 
at  a  place  which  became  known  as  "  the  Village,"  and  after- 
wards as  "  Gamsey  Town,"  which  was  thus  reserved,  (T  know 
not  when.)  It  embraced  some  of  the  more  valuable  lands  of 
the  town.  It  was  finally  divided  among  the  proprietors,  the 
first  division  being  in  Kov.  1722. 
March  18th,  1733,  a  tract  of  land  in  the  northwest  quarter, 
one  mile  and  a  half  each  way  from  the  centre,"  was  seques- 
tered for  the  town's  use.  The  tract  embraced  the  present  Til- 
lage of  Watertdwn.  Soon,  however,  the  restriction  was  taken 
off  this  territory. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

MILLS. 

In  all  new  settlements,  mills  f<»r  grinding  grain  and  sawing 
logs  are  considered  as  things  of  the  first  necessity.  They  are 
a  |)art  of  the  labor-saving  machinery  which  civilization  in- 
vented at  an  early  period.  They  perform  the  work  of  many 
men,  aud  do  it  more  perfectly  tiiau  it  can  be  done  by  hand. 


Digitized  by  Googlc 


80 


HISTORY  OF  WATEJIBUEY 


Food  and  shelter  are  the  first  tliiii||;8  to  be  provided  for  in  a 
new  oonntrj,  and  these  mills  are  almost  essential  in  the  pre- 
paration of  the  materials.  Com  can  be  pounded  in  a  mortar, 
or  crushed  between  stones ;  but  it  is  a  severe  task,  and  none  but 
a  primitive  people  will  long  suljinit  to  it.  Dwellings  can  be 
made  mainly  of  logs  ])reparcd  by  an  axe,  with  the  ussistance 
of  clay  and  straw  for  the  roof ;  but  boards  and  other  sawed 
stuti"'  arc  almost  essential  for  floors,  doors,  etc.  Our  fatliers, 
when  they  first  came  to  tliis  j>hu-e,  must  needs  go  to  Farming- 
ton  for  all  their  mill-work.  Thev  must  travel  a  distance  (»f 
twenty  miles  through  a  pathless  wilderness,  or  waste  their  la- 
bor in  imperfect  attempts  to  supi>ly  their  wants  at  home.  Tlie 
only  way  to  escape  from  this  alternative  was  to  provide  mills 
of  their  own. 

The  State's  committee,  at  an  early  period,  took  this  matter 
into  consideration,  and  under  date  of  Kov.  27th,  1679,  advised 
as  follows : 

We  doe  edviae  the  Inhftbituita  to  bafld  »  mllleient  com  wSH  Ibf  the  vw  of  ^ 
towne  and  keepe  the  same  in  good  reparation  for  the  wime  for  the  worck  and 

iervia  of  prinding  come  and  for  incornjjmont  wc  grant  stu-li  porsons  shall  haue 
thirty  [acres]  of  land  layd  out  and  .sliall  \tc  and  remain  to  tluMii  and  their  heirs 
and  AiiiigQS  for  euer  he  or  they  maiuUiining  the  said  grist  mille  as  aforsaid  for 
ever. 

Soon  after,  Stephen  Hopkins  of  Hartford,  erected  a  mill  on 

Mill  liiver  (so  called  from  this  use  of  it)  "for  grinding  come." 
It  stood  where  the  Seovill  Manufiicturinf]^  Company's  rollin"^ 
mill  now  is,  where  a  <?rain  mill  luiy  ever  since  remained  until 
within  the  last  twentv-five  vears  or  so.  The  mill  beinj'  built, 
the  committee  awarded  to  IIo[>kins  the  f^rant  which  he  had 
become  entitled  to,  and  added  to  it  a  house  lot  of  two  acres,  a 
three  acre  lot  and  a  £l(»0  allotment.  1  (piote  from  tlie  record, 
nndcr  date  of  l^eb.  5tli,  1G80,  (1681,  N.  S.) 

It  u  further  conchided  that  stencn  ITopkinfl  who  hath  huilte  a  mile  att  that 
planLition  [mattntuck]  shall  haue  that  thirty  aers  apointcd  and  intjiih-d  in  a  former 
order  to  such  as  shall  erect  a  millc  thearo  and  ho  much  more  laud  adcd  to  the 
aejd  thirty  acrs  as  may  adnanoe  the  lune  to  be  in  Talne  of  one  hvndred  pooad 
•lotment 

There  If  aUao  a  house  lott  containing  in  eetimation  to  acre  granted  ateuen 

Hopkins  as  conucnantly  as  may  be  to  9idi  the  mile  and  the  for  laid  Thomas  Judd 
and  John  S^tanly  and  the  pn'>;t'iit  townsmen  to  lay  itt  out  to  him  and  all.-o  a  thrc 
acre  lott:  acordiiig  &a  tho  Other  iubabitaut«  haue  granted  to  be  layed  out  by  these 
same  pcreuus  for  him 


Digitized  by  Google 


mSTOBT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


81 


Afcrwards,  (Aiig.  8, 1682,)  &e  town,  in  order  to  carry  out 
die  intentions  of  the  committee  in  relation  to  the  ''hundred 
pound  allotment," 

Granted  to  Stephen  Hopkins  that  alotment  which  was  Dccon  Laagtou  s  with  the 
protmion  that  one  half  of  the  said  alotment  shall  be  Intailed  to  the  mill  as  the 
thfar^  wnreBiB,  in  case  the  eonunlt^  grant  the  eame,  eftndng  the  iftld  Hopkins  to 
eolMcribe  as  otlier  lnh«bytant«  haac  don:  prooid  [ed]  alio thli grant  lire  na  from  lU 
fwmer  inlagmentB  reigiecting  the  millara  Lett 

This  action  of  ilie  proprietors  was  ratified  hj  tiie  committee, 

February  6th,  1682,  (1633  N.  S. ;)  but  John  Hopkins,  «'tHe 
present  miller,"  who  was  the  son  of  Stepheu,  was  named  as 
the  grantee.    This  is  the  record  : 

In  rcferance  to  what  lands  arc  granted  by  the  inhabitants  of  mattatuck  to  John 
Hopkins  the  present  miller  we  do  well  aprovc  of  and  in  case  tliey  shall  see  cause 
to  ease  the  intaile  of  anjr  part  the  £100  Alotment  we  shall  not  object:  against  itt 

The  result  of  all  this  action  was,  John  Hopkins,  his  heirs 
and  assigns,"  became  entitled  to  the  originiJ  grant  of  thirty 
acres,  the  sole  condition  being  that  ''he  or  they  maintain  a 
grist  mill  for  ever."  He  also  became  the  owner,  by  grant,  of 
Dea.  Lankton's  propriety  and  allotments,  without  conditions, 
except  that  a  two  acre  lot  and  a  three  acre  lot  were  entailed  to 
the  mill  in  like  manner  "as  the  thirty  acres  are."  To  remove 
all  doubt  and  misapprehension  in  relation  to  tlie  tenure  by 
wliich  the  Lankton  allotments  were  held,  a  vote  was  ]nissed, 
at'ter  the  town  was  incorporated,  of  which  the  following  is  a 
copy: 

Att  a  town  mootin*:  at  waterbury  deccmbcr  :  3(>'  :  1687:  >••  town  j^rantfd  John 
hopkin^  y«  alutiueut  now  in  h'la  possesion  which  was  formerly  deao  laiiirtons 
freely  and  absolutely  to  him  and  his  heirs  foreaer  exsepting  7'  allotment  iu  Isaacs 
meadow  eontaining  three  seen  and  j*  too  acer  alotment  in  hancoz  meadow, 
which  still  abide  intayld  to  y*  mill  as  appeata  by  y«  town  act  febenr  18:  1682: 
we  say  theis  too  lots  arc  intavlcd  to  y*  mUl  as  y*  80  acen  was  intayld  by  y*  com- 
mity.  [Fnk  Book.  Vol  I,  18.] 

Several  yean  later,  a  misnnderstanding  or  difficulty  appears 
to  have  arisen  between  the  miller  and  the  town,  poesihly  in 
consequence  of  the  dam  being  canned  away  by  the  floods,  and  a 
daim  made  npon  the  town  to  rebuild  it  The  result  was  a 
compromise  and  an  agreement  signed  by  Ilopkins  on  the  town 
book,  "  in  y"  presents  ofy  town," 

6 


Digitized  by  Google 


82 


HUIOHY  OF  WATSBBU&Y. 


Att  ft  toWD  miwting  fai  Wftlnlrary  genuary  SO*  1M9  or  f  00  y*  town  by  uofti 
Ingftged  to  make  tnd  mftintain  y  mUl  dam  from  y*  ewt    of  j«  oonimiU  to  y*  hill 

on     east  ml  y*  Riucr  for  teen  yein  on  theb  condition-s }  *  }•  milcr  make  and  keep 
y*  corn  mill  in  jrood  Repaycr  to  do  y«  town?  worck  in  priiuliiip  for  ihcni  fifleon 
yeirs  and  maintain  y«  dam  from  y*  east  aid  y*  mill  to  y*  bill  on  y*  west  aid  of  y* 
mill  extriordiuarys  exsepted. 

Boath  cn  y%  towna  part  and  mllleni  in  }  •  preaenta  of  j*  town  I  acaepk  tlwyr  aoK 
and  they  doing  what  they  promia  I  ingaga  to  do  ndn  in  nakdng  and  main> 
tainingUie  ndll  aa  witneai  my  hand  JohnHopkina 

But  the  cauBes  of  misunderstanding  were  not  jet  all  remov- 
ed. In  Ices  than  tliree  years  a  new  compromise  became  ne- 
cessary, and  John  Hopkins  signed  another  agreement  on  the 
town  book  in  preseute  of  the  town."  This  relates  to  the  mill- 
place. 

Att  a  town  meeting  sep':  14:  1702:  where  as  there  ha!=  bin  pum  dificulty  a  bout 
y*  mill  place  for  a  finall  Lssuc  on  )•  same  }•  town  and  miller  agree  y'  y*  property 
of  y*  mill  place  be  and  remain  to  him  and  his  heirs  forcuer  as  y*  mill  laud  is  he 
nuiintayning  a  mill  to  do  ye  towna  worek  for  ouor  but  if  ya  miDer  fiiyl  to  nudntayn 
ft  ndU  to  do  y*  towna  woric  in  grinding  tbeyr  corn  wdl  oom  bdng  nrtabla  to 
grind  then  y*  property  of  y*  mill  place  to  return  to  y*  town  and  priuiledgcs  of  it 
only  they  are  to  piue  miller  a  resonable  price  for  what  is  his  own  on  null 
place  and  if  }•  tow  n  and  miller  cannot  agree  to  be  prised  by  indefrent  men  in  te«. 
Umony  of  my  complyance  with  y«  town  i  have  in  presents  of  y*  town  set  to  my  band 

John  Hopkina 

Tlie  matter  of  tlie  mill  place  being  settled,  as  a  j)art  of  tlie 
compromise,  probably,  the  I'olluwiug  vote  was  passed : 

Att  the  name  meting  the  town  agree  by  uoat  to  tak  of  [off]  the  remainder  of  in- 
tail  ment  luyd  one  John  hopkins  medow  lot  [s  n  [nnd]  gife  him  lefe  to  re[c<»d] 
it  to  him  sell  as  his  one  [own].    [Town  Book,  p.  1U3.J 

The  word  lot,"  in  the  preceding  vote,  most,  I  think,  have 
been  intended  for  lots.  If  eo,  it  is  fair  to  conclude  that  the 
pieces  referred  to  are  the  meadow  tracts,  one  of  three  acres  in 
Isaac's  Meadow  and  one  of  two  acres  in  Handcox's  Meadow, 
which  were  a  part  of  Dea.  Lankton*s  allotments.  This  view  is 
strengthened,  if  not  proved  to  be  the  correct  one,  by  the  fact 
that  soon  afterwards,  under  date  of  April  8,  1703,  the  two  lots 
in  (j[uestion  were  recorded,  as  though  without  any  conditions, 
among  the  lands  belonging  to  John  Hopkins.  [L.  B.  Yol.  I,  p, 
17.]   The  mill  lands,  proper,  are  recorded  by  themselves. 

Genusry:  26th:  IVof  y*  town  gaue  y*  miller  leano  to  romouo  y*  8  aeota  of  y* 
mill  lot  from  y  pin  bool  and  take  it  where  it  auta  oner  y«  mill  rioor 


Digitized  by  Google 


mSTOttY  OF  WATEOBUSr. 


83 


For  aiight  that  appears,  after  this,  for  a  cnn.siderable  time, 
mattei-s  went  on  lianuoiiioiisly  between  tlio  miller  and  the 
town,  the  one  «ri'i"«Iii»^  corn,"  and  the  other  brini^ing  ''corn 
suitable  to  ^a-ind,''  eacli  party  thus  contrilmting  to  the  beat 
good  of  the  other.  In  ])r(i('ess  <tf  time,  lutwever,  John  Hop- 
kins died  and  was  gatliered  to  his  fathers,  havinir  Ix-en  town 
miller  for  fifty  years.  His  executors  and  sons,  Stei>]ien  and 
Timothy  Hopkins,  January  17lh,  1732-3,  in  consideration  of 
£350,  conveyed  to  Jonathan  Baldwin,  Jr.,  of  Milford,  all  their 
right  and  title  in  the  grist  mill  and  mill  place,  with  the  thirty 
acres  thereto  belonging,  lying  in  several  pieces,  viz,  fifteen 
acres  on  the  mill  plain,  eight  acres  on  the  Mad  River  by  the 
common  fence,  two  acres  over  against  the  mill,  one  acre  on 
tliis  side  the  river  by  the  mill,  two  acres  in  Isaac's  Meadow 
on  the  east  side  the  brook,  and  two  acres  towards  the  upper 
end  of  Hanoox  Meadow.* 

For  many  years,  there  is  nothing  to  show  bow  "  Jonathan 
Balwin,  Jr.'*  acquitted  himself  as  the  new  miller ;  bat  at  a  town 
meeting  held  Doc.  10th,  1758,  it  was  voted  to  raise  a  committee 
to  search  Into  the  scircnmstances  of  the  mill  Land  and  see 
what  Titae  Mr.  Baldwin  has  to  said  Land,"  &c.  At  another 
meeting,  held  Feb.  4, 1754,  the  following  action  was  taken : 

After  some  considerable  Discourse  about  the  old  corn  mill  that  waa  Mr. 
Ilopktns  the  Questiou  was  put  to  the  Towu  whcitber  ibcy  were  Easie  with  Mr. 
Jonathan  Baldwins  tendbg  of  the  nriU  It  appearing  to  them  that  the  most  of  the 
enstomen  had  not  their  Com  Ground  Well — ^Voted  that  they  were  unearie  and  at 

the  same  meeting  made  Clioise  of  Capt  Sam'.  Ilickcox  Lieut  John  Scovill 
Liut  Tho*  porter  a  Coinniittc  to  treat  with  Mr.  Jonathan  Baldwin  and  his  aon 
Jonathan  and  I/earu  what  agreement  they  can  cuuie  to. 

Quite  recently,  since  tlie  grist  mill  was  discontinued,  and 
the  site  and  water  privilege  devoted  to  otlier  nses,  questions 
arose,  on  the  part  of  certain  persons,  as  to  the  conditions  at- 
tached to  the  old  mill  grants,  and  the  effect  which  a  neglect  of 
these  would  have  on  the  titles  of  the  present  owners.  Some 
came  to  the  conclusion,  after  searching  the  records,  that  the 
mill  grants  had  been  forfeited  and  that  the  lands  reverted 
back  to  the  grantors,  the  original  proprietors  of  the  town,  their 
heirs  and  assigns.  This  conclusion,  if  established,  wonld  put 

•  lead  iMordai  V«I.IV,  A 


Digitized  by  Google 


S4  BI8T0BY  OF  WATEBBUIiY. 

into  the  poeeession  of  the  latter  a  large  amount  of  property 
within  the  present  city  limits,  including  mills,  factories,  water 
privileges  and  dwellings,  and  dispossessing  a  larjrc  population 
of  their  estate.  As  the  inquiry  proceeded,  it  bccume  a  matter 
of  interest  to  know  what  the  mill  grants  were  and  what  lands 
were  included,  and  subjected  to  the  conditions. 
Tlie  **mill  lands,"  eo  called,  were  the  following: 
1.  The  "  thirty  acreff."  Tliese  were  granted  by  the  com- 
mittee of  the  General  Court,  in  1GT9,  on  condition  that  the  mill 
be  maintained  forever,  as  we  have  teen.  It  does  not  ap])ear 
that  this  land  was  "located"  by  the  committee.  Doubtless, 
the  proprietors  and  the  miller  were  left  to  settle  among  tliem- 
selves  the  location,  and  thus  accommodate  their  mutual  con- 
venience. IS^or  is  there  anything  to  ahow  that  the  land  was 
taken  np,  or  at  any  rate,  surveyed,  immediately;  indeed  the 
contrary  appears  in  regard  to  a  part  of  it ;  for  on  the  eighteenth 
of  March,  1701-2,  Stephen  Upson  and  Benjamin  Barnes  with 
the  town  measurer  were  appointed  a  committee  to  lay  ont  the 
mill  lot  at  the  mill,  and  what  highways  are  needful  for  the 
milL"  The  mill  lot  here  alluded  to  is,  probably,  the  one  re- 
ferred to  in  the  following  extracts: 

Hareh  j««8ft»l704  y*  town  gn&ted  y*  too  uen  of  y«.iiiill  land  to  Im  Uyd 

out  to  gethcr  botwoin  y*  highway  j*  leads  to  y*  mill  and       highway  jr*  ia 
next  to  abrahatn  andrups  Bn'  lot  if  it  he  there  to  bp  hnd  not  pregcdising 
highway  but  takeing  y'  highway  betwcia  where  yong  abrahain  set  up  a  hous  and 
y»  riuer 

Oct.  26.  1718,  the  town  by  not  agre  the  too  acta  of  mill  land  laid  out  by  Leftcn* 
ant  Ttmothy  Standly  bating  on  the  niiD  riner  eat  and  ao  to  mn  weat  betwen  the 

higway  that  gose  from  the  town  to  the  mU  and  the  highway  that  gOM  from  the 
town  to  the  mad  riuer  a  long  by  the  est  sid  of  Abraham  Andrus  hons  lot  it  buting 
al!«o  west  on  a  bipli  way  that  gofo  from  the  corner  of  Tlionms  wnrnors  to  paid 
Andruss  is  ucscpted  and  determined  to  be  and  remain  pait  of  the  thirty  acurs  of 
land  intaile  by  the  grand  comity.    [Town  Book,  p.  117.] 

The  piece  of  land  above  is  recorded,  Dec.  14tli,  1713, 

among  the  mill  lands,  by  John  Hopkins,  then  clerk,  as  ''two 

acres  on  Mad  lilver,  below  the  mill  dam,  south  on  highway, 

that  goes  to  said  river,  north  on  highway  that  goes  from  the 

town  to  the  mill,  west  on  liigliway."    It  seems  to  have  been 

the  land  immediately  below  the  old  mill  extending  down  the 

river  to  the  present  bridge  and  to  the  road  which  leads  to  it, 

leaching  west  to  Union  square  and  north  to  the  ^^mill  path," 


Digitized  by 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


85 


or  the  road  coming  from  the  town,  (Cole  street.)  In  the  sale, 
however,  to  Jonatluui  Baldwin,  in  1732-3,  this  piece  is  called 
one  acre.  Perhaps  a  part  of  it  had  been  exchanged  for  other 
land. 

The  "  Mill  Plain "  lot  is  recorded  by  John  Hopkins,  in  1713, 
and  described  as  "  within  the  common  fence  southward  from 
part  of  Abraham  Andruss,  his  house  lot,"  butted  north  on 
common  fence,  west  on  Dr.  Porter,  John  Richards,  Timothy 
Stanley  and  common  land,  south  on  highway,  east  on  Abra- 
ham Andmss  and  the   brow  of  the  hill." 

This  tract  of  land  lay  down  the  river  from  the  mill,  below 
the  brid^  and  soaih  of  Union  street.  Abraham  Andrnss*  lot 
of  throe  and  a  half  acres  lay  between  it  and  the  river  and  the 
road  going  to  the  river.  It  extended  sonth  as  far  as  Liberty 
street,*  or  some  other  east  and  west  road,  and  west  to  the  lands 
of  the  individuals  named.  It  appears  to  have  embraced  the 
entire  plain  at  the  north  end. 

The  "eight  acre  lot"  before  alluded  to  as  removed,  by 
consent,  from  Tine  Ilole,  was  situated  on  the  east  side  the 
Mad  River,  opposite  Mill  Phiin,  lying  between  the  New 
Haven  road,  (as  it  was  then  called, — Balwin  street,  on  the 
map,)  the  common  fence  and  the  river.  It  appears,  however, 
notlo  have  extended  as  far  west  as  the  river,  but  to  liavc  been 
four  rods  from  it  at  the  nearest  point,  on  the  lower  side,  where 
it  met  the  common  fence.  It  is  described  on  tlie  same  page 
of  the  record  as  the  other  pieces  as  lying  "  over  Mill  Iliver 
southward  from  the  town,  butted  west  on  common  fence, 
southerly  on  common  land,  easterly  and  westerly  on  highway." 

Another  piece  still,  of  two  acres,  lay  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river,  north  of  the  croflsing,  "  over  against  the  mill." 

Tliese  four  pieces,  containing  in  all  twenty-seven  acres,  are 
recorded  by  John  Hopkins,  for  the  first  time,  apparently,  in 
1713,  and  are  described  as  the  mill  lands,  belonging  to  the 
thirty  acres.  The  remaining  two  acres  are  not  recorded.  But 


•  Liberty  itreet  U  reconlcd  liATing  b#en  Ul<1  out,  Sep.  2.<?<!,  180S,  through  Col.  Wm.  Lear. 
e&««rUi*«  land,  called  the  MUl  Plaio,  to  the  grist  mUl  at  the  place  of  the  lIotchklM  4  MctrtiMui 
MaBnfaetarlnf  Co.,  two  and  a  liair  rode  vMe  and  tfilrtj'two  reds  l>  length.  There  Is  ne  neo* 
tion  of  a  preTioaa  road.  At  that  time,  the  hlfrh  lerel  ground,  down  as  far  at  the  bridge  on  the 
yresmt  New  UaTcn  road,  was  called  Mill  Plain*  though  the  nlU  land  co«ld  not  have  extend* 
•d  ae  Ikr  Mwtti  evvMl. 


Digitized  by  Google 


86 


HIBTORT  OF  WATEBBVST. 


in  the  conveyance  to  Jonathan  Baldwin,  two  otlier  pieces  are 
enumerated,  each  of  two  acres,  one  in  Isaac's  Meadow,  (at 
Isaac's  Meadow  bars,)  and  the  other  in  Ilancox's  Meadow, 
while  tlie  two  acre  piece  below  the  mill  dam is  called  one 
acre,  making  in  all  thirty  acres  quit  claimed  to  Baldwin. 

The  two  pieces  of  land  in  Isaac's  Meadow  and  in  Hancox's 
Meadow,  I  suppose  to  be  the  same  as  those  which  came  from 
Dea.  Lankton's  propriety,  and  which  were  at  first entailed  to 
the  mill,"  and  then  (Sep.  It02)  the  entailment  taken  off" 
hj  the  town.  And  yet,  preyious  to  Baldwin's  purchase,  the 
lot  in  Isaac's  Meadow  ('*  easterly  on  the  brook  [^Steel's]  west- 
erly on  the  hill")  had  been  called  three  acres,  instead  of  two, 
as  mentioned  in  the  deed  to  Baldwin.  Nor  do  I  know  why  the 
two  tracts  in  question  should  be  named  as  a  part  of  the  thirty 
acres.  The  act  of  1687  would  seem  to  imply  that  they  were 
distinct  from,  and  additional  to,  the  latter. 

2.  T/ie  mill  place.  Tliere  is  no  record  to  show  who  were  the 
grantoi-8  of  the  mill  site  and  mill  privileo^e  ;  but  as  tJie  title, 
or  rather  the  right  to  grant,  was  in  the  committee  at  the  time 
the  mill  was  erected,  it  is  fair  to  conclude  that  they  were  the 
grantore.  Nor  does  it  appear  what  conditions,  if  any,  were 
originally  attached  to  the  grant.  The  action  of  tlie  town,  how- 
ever, in  1702,  taken  in  connection  with  the  agreement  nigned 
by  Hopkins,  proves  tliat  there  were  conditions.  This  agree- 
ment between  the  i)arties,  it  will  be  remembered,  ]»nt  tlie  mill 
])lace  on  tlie  same  (<>r  simibir)  footing  as  the  other  mill  lands. 
The  mill  place  was  to  remain  to  the  miller  and  his  heirs  for- 
ever, ho  maintaining  a  mill  to  do  the  town's  work  forever ; 
but  if  the  miller  fail  to  maintain  a  mill,  the  miU  place  to  re- 
turn to  the  town  and  privileges  of  it,  only  they  are  to  give  y* 
miller  a  reasonable  price  for  what  is  his  own  on  the  mill 
place."  It  is  not  clear  that  the  town  or  proprietors  had  any 
right,  either  inherent  or  conferred  by  the  town  patent,  to  change, 
or  consent  to  a  change,  of  the  conditions  of  an  original  grant  of 
the  committee ;  but  perhaps  no  change  was  designed,  but  only 
a  declaration  of  what  was  the  original  intention.  It  will  be 
noticed  that  the  kind  of  mill  to  be  maintained,  whether  a  com 
mill,  a  saw  mill,  or  a  rolling  mill  is  not  mentioned.  "  Town 
meeting  "  and  ''town"  are  employed,  according  to  the  custom 


Digitized  by  G(H|»Ie 


DISTOaT  OF  WATEBBUBY. 


87 


of  the  time,  lor  proprietors' meeting  and  ]>r()i)rietor8  of  tlie  town  ; 
but  these  mistakes,  in  common  witli  othei'a  of  the  same  sort, 
were  corrected  by  the  stiitnte  of  1723. 

There  is  no  sufficient  evidence  to  show  that  the  conditions 
of  any  of  the  mill  <]:;nints,  even  those  attaclied  to  the  mill  place 
itself,  retpiired  that  tlie  mill  should  be  maintained  where  it 
was  first  erected.  For  aught  that  ai)pcars,  Hopkins,  his  heirs 
and  jissigiis,  would  not  have  forfeited  the  grants,  had  he  or  they 
suliered  the  old  mill  to  go  to  decay,  and  erected  a  new  one 
somewhere  else,  up  or  dowA  the  river,  or  in  any  other  place 
not  inconveniently  remote,  miming  it  by  euch  power  as  was  at 
hand — water,  wind,  steam  or  horse  power.  If  any  one  of 
those  who  subsequently  held  a  part  of  the  entailed  property, 
however  small,  had  chosen  to  do  tliis,  the  old  mill  being  neg- 
lected, that  act,  it  appears  to  me,  would  have  fulfilled  the  con- 
ditions and  kept  alive  all  the  grants 

Ihe  question  has  been  asked — and  it  seemed  at  one  time 
to  be  a  question  of  some  importance — ^to  whom  would  the 
mill  lands  revert  in  case  of  a  forfeiture  t  Undoubtedly,  to  the 
State,  unless  the  State  has  in  some  way  parted  with  its  rights. 
The  title  to  all  the  territory  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  at  the 
time  of  the  grants,  was  in  the  "Governor  and  Company,^'  de* 
rived  by  ^  letters  patent "  from  the  king  of  England.  The  com- 
mittee for  the  settlement  of  Mattatuck  represented  the  Gov- 
ernor and  Company — the  colonial  government — and  acted  by 
their  authority.  Grants,  conditions  and  reservations  made  by 
tliem,  who  were  mere  agents,  were  as  if  made  by  the  ju  inci- 
pal — the  government.  All  the  benefits  of  forfeiture,  there- 
fore, would  accrue  to  the  Colony  or  State. 

But  was  there  no  change  wnuight  in  the  rights  of  the  gov- 
ernment by  the  town  patents,  or  acts  of  incorporation  ?  lliat 
of  1686  nuiy  be  c(}uivocal  in  its  phraseology  ;  but  that  of  1720 
seems  to  me  clear  and  explicit.  The  latter  instrument  <leclares 
that  "we  the  Governor  and  Company  "  "  have  granted  remised, 
released  and  quit  claimed"  to  the  inhabitants,  proprietors  of 
Waterbury,  "all  the  abovcsaid  tract  of  land,"  (having  de- 
scribed the  boundaries,)  "  with  all  the  buildings,  fences,  woods, 
stones,"  &c.,  "  with  the  rights,  members,  appurtenances,  here- 
ditaments and  the  reversion  and  reversions,  remainder  and  re- 


Digitized  by  Google 


88 


HI8T0SY  OF  WATEBBUST. 


mainders,  to  them  their  lieirs  and  888igns  forevc  r,  according  to 
tlieir  several  grants,  pro])ortiong,  sliares,  riglits  and  interests 
in  of  and  nnto  the  hinds  ahove  descrihed,  to  be  distinguibhed  ac- 
cording to  their  several  descents,  devi.<e.s,  grants,  divisions, 
agreements  and  j)urehases,  as  of  record  appearetli,  and  by  the 
records  of  said  town  of  Waterburv  may  be  seen,"  d:c.,  <tc. 

Tliiis,  it  seems  to  me  tliat  the  State  has  divested  itself  of  all 
its  rights,  reversionary  and  other,  in  the  lauds  of  ancient 
Waterbury,  and  has  made  over  its  whole  title,  of  whatever 
kind,  to  the  proprietors.  All  original  grants,  therefore,  incum- 
bered with  conditioiis  which  have  been  disregarded,  till  a  for- 
feiture has  been  wrought,  would  seem  to  be  the  j^roperty  of 
the  proprietors.  Tliis  is  the  apparent  condition  of  the  mill 
lands.  Before  the  mill  place  and  privileges"  however,  can 
go  into  new  hands,  their  present  owners  mnst  be  paid  a 
reasonable  price  for  what  is  their  own  on  the  place,"  according 
to  the  agreement  of  1703,  and  if  the  parties  cannot  agree 
[the  property  is]  to  be  appraised  by  indifferent  men." 

Snch  are  die  views  of  the  writer,  bnt  as  he  is  no  lawyer  and 
no  expert  in  snch  matters,  he  may  labor  under  some  funda- 
mental error. 

I  have  said  that  questions  arose  as  to  the  effect  which  a 
discontinuance  of  the  mill  must  have  on  the  old  mill  grants. 
Several  meetings  were  held  in  1849  and  1850,  and  committees 
appointed,  at  different  times,  to  investigate  the  subject  April 
2d,  1860,  Edmund  E.  Davis,  Isaiah  Dunbar,  David  Chatiield 
and  Josiah  Culver  were  chosen  "a  committee  to  examine  into 
the  right  the  j>roprietor8  have  to  ScovilTs  mill  seat  which  M  as 
formerly  granted  to  Stephen  Hopkins."  These  meetings,  liow- 
ever,  and  some  subsequent  ones,  seem  to  have  been  inf»»rmal; 
when  some  of  those  opposed  to  the  farther  agitation  of  the  sub- 
ject thought  it  worth  while  to  move.  A  special  meeting, 
purporting  to  be  legally  warned,  was  held  Jan.  4th,  1S51, 
when  it  was  voted  ''to  bargain,  sell  and  convey  all  the  right, 
title  and  interest  that  the  proprietors  of  the  ancient  town  of 
Waterbury  have  to  any  of  the  undivided  lands  holden  or  })08- 
sessed  by  individuals  given  or  granted  on  condition,"  etc. 
Samuel  H.  Kettleton,  Silas  Hoadley  and  Josiah  Hino  were 
chosen  a  committee  "  to  release  and  conyey,"  ^c. 


Digitized  by  Google 


« 

BIBIOBT  OF  WATEBBmnr. 


89 


At  an  adjourned  incetinf^  held  the  25th  day  of  January, 
1S51,  the  committee  appointed  at  the  last  meeting  made  a  re- 
port, the  result  of  their  lEvestigations.  Tliey  recapitulftte 
some  of  the  facts  which  have  already  beeo  nfentioned  con- 
cerning tlio  old  mill  grants,  at  the  same  time  overlooking 
others  of  material  importance.  They  then  go  on  to  say : 

And  we  fiwther  find  that  tnm  that  date  aald  landa  have  been  regidariarly  eon- 

Tejed  from  one  penon  to  another  ilown  to  the  present  ooeapanto,  some  by  deeds 
of  quit  claim  and  some  by  deeds  of  warranty,  without  any  resorvations  in  the  Ksnie 
and  warranting  aj^ainst  all  claims  what,>^oever  and  free  from  all  conditions,  and 
that  iu  dome  of  the  deed:^  of  the  mill  landj  as  then  called,  the  mill  and  privilege 
are  named  at  a  separate  part  of  the  property  and  distinct  from  the  same. 

And  we  further  find  that  from  the  long  kpse  of  time  and  the  coarse  of  con- 
veyances of  said  property  and  the  fanpossibility  of  now  determining  the  preciM 
location  of  the  said  lands — we  recommend  that  the  suliject  is  not  deserving  of  fur- 
ther attention,  an<l  for  the  pur|>o*e  of  quieting  all  further  agitation  on  the  siuhject — 
we  recommend  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  two,  iu  lieu  of  the  one  a|i|>oitit- 
ed  at  the  last  meeting,  to  release  to  any  of  the  present  owneis  of  sud  projtcrty 
or  [of]  any  other  property,  any  ri^ts  that  the  andent  proprietors  may  have  to 
lands  heretofore  granted  upon  condition  as  aforesaid — 

We  also  find  that  the  grant  of  t*aid  lands  was  from  the  State  [Colony]  of  Connec- 
ticut instead  of  the  ancient  proprietors,  and  if  there  is  any  reversionary  interest  us 
to  said  binds,  the  title  id  iu  the  State  of  Connecticut  instead  of  the  ancient  propri- 
etors of  Waterbory. 

This  report  was  accepted  by  a  vote  of  twenty-one  to  ten. 
In  the  affirmative  were  Daniel  Upson,  Thomas  Welton,  AVil- 
liam  11.  Scovill,  James  M.  L.  Scovill,E.  F.  Merrill,  Aaron  Ben- 
edict, Jolin  Thomson,  John  S.  Kin«^^])ury,  Garry  Merrill,  S. 
W.  Hall,  William  Ilickox,  John  Buckingham,  S.  M.  Bucking- 
ham, Edward  S.  Clark,  Cliarles  D.  Kingsbury,  Miles  Newton, 
Willard  Spencer,  Eldad  Bradley,  Alison  Bronson,  P.  W.  Car- 
ter, Sherman  Ilickox. 

In  the  negative  were  Isaiah  Dunbar,  George  N.  Pritchard, 
Horace  Foot,  David  Chatiield,  Thomas  B.  D:ivis,Aloiizo  Allen, 
David  C.  Adams,  Enos  Chatfield,  Josiali  Culver,  David  M. 
Pritchard. 

In  pursuance  of  the  recommendation  of  the  report,  a  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Willard  Spencer  and  John  P.  Elton,  were 
appointed  ''for,  and  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  proprietors 
of  the  common  and  undivided  lands  of  the  ancient  tcwn  of 
Waterbury,  to  release  and  convey  by  proper  deeds  of  convey- 
ance to  the  present  owner  or  owners  of  any  lands  known  as 


Digitized  by  Googlc 


90 


UISTOBT  OF  WATJULBUEY, 


the  mill  lands  and  all  othere  heretofore  given  or  granted  on 
conditions  by  a  committee  appointed  by  the  State  [Colony]  of 
Connecticut,  or  by  any  subsequent  committee  or  cotjiiiiittees 
of  the  ancient  town  [<ir  pn)prietorj5  of  Waterbury  all  the 
rights,  titles  and  interests  tliat  tlie  said  proprietors  may  or 
ought  to  have  tiicreto,  also  to  release  and  discharge  gaid 
lands  from  said  conditions." 

This  is  the  important  vote.  Tlie  record  says  it  pabseil,  but 
the  number  of  voters  or  votes,  (or  tlic  names  of  those  wlio 
voted,)  is  not  given.  It  does  not  appear  whether  all  the  })er- 
sons  whose  names  appear  in  the  £ret  vote,  and  who  may  have 
been  in  the  last,  were  proprietors.  It  does  not  appear  that  the 
votes  were  counted  according  to  each  man^s  propriety,  or  in- 
terest in  the  common  lands,  as  the  old  statute  directed,  and 
as  was  the  ancient  custom,  ^or  does  it  appear  that  those 
deriving  their  rights  from  bachelor  ]^ro]>rietorB,  who  (by  the  ex- 
press terms  of  the  grant  which  made  them  snch,  were  denied 
a  voice  in  giving  away  lands  ")  were  excluded  from  the  vote. 
Bnt  the  question  on  the  acceptance  of  the  report  was  not  a 
material  one. 

It  is  clear  that  the  proprietors  have  no  power  to  release 
and  discharge  lands"  from  conditions  that  were  imposed  by 
the  Colony  or  its  committee;  thongh  they  mi\y  undoubtedly 
^  release  and  convey,"  or  quit  claim,  lands  to  which  they  have 
acquired  a  title  in  consequence  of  a  forfeiture  of,  or  a  non 
compliance  with,  the  conditions  imposed  by  said  Colony  or 
committee. 

Tlie  minority  of  course  were  not  pleased  with  the  course 
which  had  been  pursued  at  this  meeting,  and  particularly  with 
the  powers  given  to  the  "  deeding  committee."  Tliey  ques- 
tioned tlie  rights  of  certain  persons  who  had  been  ])ennitted 
to  act  and  vote,  and  disputed  the  legality  of  the  whole  pro- 
ceeding, &c. 

Grist  mills  in  a  new  settlement  are  soon  followed  bv  mw 
milU.  I  am  unable  to  say  when  or  where  the  lirst  saw  mill 
in  Waterbury  was  erected.  Tliere  was  one  existing  in  1680, 
for  the  path  that  leads  to  the  saw  mill  "  is  spoken  of  Jan.  3d, 
1686,  (1686-7.)  I  suspect,  but  I  do  not  certainly  know,  that 
the  mill  thus  referred  to  stood  where  the  Waterbury  £nitting 


Digitized  by  Google 


HIBTOBT  OP  WATEBBUKT. 


91 


Company  now  carry  on  business,  where  one  waa  in  being  at 
the  time  the  factory  was  erected,  and  where  the  writer,  in 
early  life,  sawed  logs.  I  find  as  early  as  1704,  that  a  lot,  at 
this  point,  of  four  acres,  owned  by  Jeremiah  and  JoslmaPcck, 
and  fronting  on  Cherry  street,  (now  so  called,)  was  bounded 
west  on  a  passage,"  which  I  snppoee  to  have  been  the  same  as 
that  which  still  ezistSy  coming  down  from  the  north,  along 
which  logs  were  drawn  to  the  mill.  Thia  lot  waa  called  in 
1746,  Lieut.  Bronson's  saw  mill  lot**  Whether  this  mill  was 
referred  to  in  the  following  grant,  April  6th,  1702»  I  am  unable 
with  certainty  to  say. 

Stephen  Upson  had  a  graut  of  land  between  Bronaon'a  path  that  goes  to  hie 
boggj  meadow  ud  the  path  that  goea  over  the  meadow  to  the  aaw  mOL 

A  meadow  called  "  Bronson's  Meadow,  in  1724,  was  on  the 
east  side  of  the  brook,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  supposed 
saw  milL 

There  was  a  saw  mill  on  Mad  Biver,  near  the  Farmington 
road,  which  is  referred  to  March  28,  1695,  which  I  suppose 
not  to  be  the  same  as  that  alluded  to  in  1686,  or  in  1702. 

After  grist  mills  and  saw  mills  have  been  provided  for  a 
new  township,yti22ifi^  mdUs  are  thought  of  for  the  purpose  of 
fulling  and  dressing  doth  for  wearing  apparel.  Cloth  is  more 
easily  transported  to  distant  mills  than  grain  or  logs ;  still,  as 
the  farmers  of  new  countries  expect  to  pay  for  what  they  buy 
by  the  products  of  their  farms,  which  are,  for  the  most  part, 
too  heavy  for  convenient  transport,  it  is  very  desirable  to  have 
mills  for  this  as  well  as  for  other  machine-work,  near  at  hand. 
Tlie  people  of  Waterbiiry  gave  this  matter  tlieir  early  coubid- 
eration. 

[Jan  20,  1692.]  Tharc  wan  soquesterd  the  great  brook  from  cdmun  scota  lot 
down  to  samuoU  hickox  jr  lot  for  to  build  a  fulling  mill. 

It  was  thus  sequestered,  or  set  apart,  that  it  might  not  be 
taken  np  by  th*)sc  in  search  of  desirable  places  where  they 
might  ^4ocate"  tlieir  grants  or  divisions,  thus  becoming  indi- 
vidual property.  The  design  was  to  reserve  it  to  be  given,  or 
disposed  of,  to  some  person  who  would  erect  and  maintain  a 
fidling  mill.  Whether  the  portion  of  the  brook  thus  set  apart 
was  above  or  below  the  Knitting  Company's  factory,  I  cannot 


Digitized  by  Googlc 


92 


mSIOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


say.  I  am  not  aware  thai  a  fulling  mill  existed  upon  this 
stream  earlj,  though  there  maj  have  been  one.  The  earliest 
mention  of  such  a  mill  on  Great  Brook  which  I  have  met  with 
is  in  April,  1737,  when  Nathan  Frindle  sold  to  Nathaniel  Ar- 
nold a  foiling  mill,  which  stood  on  the  Buck's  Hill  road  near 
the  site  of  the  old  dock  Factory  of  the  late  Mark  Leaven- 
worth, (W aterhnry  Knitting  Co.,  on  the  map.)  The  mill  then 
standing  must  have  been  built  between  1728  and  1732. 

The  first  fulling  mill  known  to  have  been  built  in  Water- 
bury,  was  on  Fulling  Mill  Brook,  at  Judd's  Meadow,  now 
Naugatttck.  I  suppose  this  mill,  then  about  to  be  built,  is 
referred  to  in  the  following  passage,  and  that  Daniel  Wamer^s 
Brook  is  the  same  as  that  which  was  afterwards  called  Fulling 
Mill  Brook,  the  mill  givinc^  its  name  to  the  stream. 

Marcli  17ti'.»-lu,  ilic  j)r()i>rietors  f^ranttui  to  Samuel  Ilickox  the  Lil)erty  of 
that  Stream  callt-d  danicl  Worocr  d  Brook  from  the  Eimt  tside  of  the  going  over 
the  Brook.  Any  place  for  Comfttdmeij  of  Damlng  So  Long  a«  he  Shell  main- 
tain A  fining  ndll'  end  GonTedeiicy  of  Lend  to  peie  end  dry  Oloth. 

Samuel  Ilickox,  2d,  died  June  3d,  1713,  and  after  his  death, 
one  of  his  sons  is  spoken  of  as  }ia\  ini;  had  hiiid  laid  out 
"  where  his  father  huilt  a  fullini^  mill/'  Saumol  ilickox,  then, 
had  a  mill,  which  was  erected  before  1713,  and  in-ohably  after 

1709,  on  the  hrook  where  lie  lived,  called  Fulling  Mill  Brook. 
Dr.  Trum])ull,  in  h\A  IIi^^tory  of  Connecticut,  remarks  that 
there  was  but  one  clothier  in  the  Colony,  in  1713.  In  refer- 
ence to  this  statement,  Mr.  Cothren,  in  his  History  of  Ancient 
Woodbury,  (Vol.  I,  p.  73,)  remarks,  that  "  if  the  assertion  is 
true,  which  he  has  no  reason  to  doubt,  Woodbury  was  the 
location  of  the  first  clotliier,"  Abraham  Fulford  having  es- 
tablished himself  tlicre  and  built  a  fulling  mill  previous  to 
that  time.  Dr.  Trumbull,  who  quotes  as  Ins  authority,  "  An- 
swers to  question-^  from  tlie  Lords  of  Trade  and  Plantations, 

1710,  "  was  doubtless  mistaken.  In  all  probability,  there  were 
many  clothiers  and  fulling  mills  in  the  Colony  at  ^e  period 
named. 


HISTORY  OF  WATEEBUST< 


93 


CHAPTEB  VIII. 

ROADS,  BRIDGES,  kc. 

All  new  settlenieiits  suffer  niucli  inconvenience  and  priva- 
tion for  want  of  roads.  To  make  good,  or  even  passable 
roads,  recpiiics  niiicli  time,  labor  and  expense — sacrilices  that 
new  settlers  can  ill  afford.  And  yet,  civilization  cannot  go 
on — cannot  even  be  preserved — without  them.  Of  course, 
men  will  first  build  those  roads  which  are  most  needed — 
which  best  sen-e  to  oomiect  them  with  the  world  which  they 
hare  left — ^with  its  people,  its  institutions,  its  machinery  and 
its  markets. 

The  first  planters  of  Mattatnck  found  it  convenient  and 
necessary  to  keep  a  constant  communication  with  Farming- 
ton.  The  Farmington  road  was  the  first  that  was  opened.  It 
was  doubtless,  for  a  time,  a  mere  horse  path,  and  was  in  a 
Tery  imperfect  state  for  many  years.  In  its  general  course, 
it  ran  nearly  east  from  the  village,  along  just  north  of  Specta- 
cle Pond,  (at  the  junction  of  the  new  plank  road  and  the  old 
Oheshire  road.)  It  crossed  Beaver  Pond  (Hog  Pound)  Brook 
a  little  distance  from  its  mouth,  passed  north  of  Beaver  Pond 
through  East  Farms,  occupying  a  position  near  the  present 
road.  At  the  east  end  it  came  out  just  at  the  boundary  line 
between  Farmington  and  Wallingford,  (now  Wolcott  and 
Cheshire.)  Tlierc  is  no  early  survey  of  it  on  record.  Our 
whole  knowled<;e  respecting  it  is  (leathered  from  land  surveys, 
votes,  &c.,  in  which  it  is  incidentally  mentioned,  Tlioun;h  a 
vote  was  passed  in  1702,  ordering  that  all  surveys  of  high- 
wavs  should  be  recorded,  this  was  not  done  till  1716  and  al- 
terwards. 

In  ^Fay,  1731,  an  "  ii]>per  road  to  Farmington  "  was  in  ex- 
istence, in  the  northeast  corner  of  tlie  town,  at  a  ])l:ice  culled 
Poland.  Lands  at  Ash  Swamp  were  sitnated  on  this  road.  It 
was  probably  a  continuation  of  the  Bucks  Hill  road. 


Digitized  by  Google 


94 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


There  is  a  record  of  a  surrej  of  a  highway  from  Farming- 
ton  bounds  to  the  town,"  bearing  date  Feb.  9th,  1754,  which 
seems  to  be  the  old  road  which  has  been  described,  thougli 
this  fact  is  not  alluded  to.  It  "  began  at  Farmington  souUi- 
west  comer,'*  and  terminated  in  the  Tillage  at  Ebenezer 
Bronson's  and  John  Scovill's  comers,  butting,  as  it  passed 
through  the  town,  ^on  each  side  on  y  ends  of  each  man's 
home  lot  as  it  is  now  fenced,  the  boundaries  of  said  highway 
being:  set  at  v*  corner  of  each  man's  lot."  Distances  are  men- 
tioned  in  this  survey,  and  the  general  direction,  but  not  the 
points  of  the  compass. 

In  16SG,  New  llaven  and  Mattatiick  were  ordered  by  the 
General  Court  to  make  a  road  between  tlie  two  places  as 
speedily  as  the  work  couUl  be  ei  •nveniently  done.  It  was  soon 
after  alUided  to  on  tlie  town  record  as  "  our  road  that  leads  to 
New  Haven,"  and  Umd  was  laid  out  on  it,  at  Jiuld's  Meadow, 
in  Jan.  IfiOO-l.  It  was  the  second  road  connecting  Water- 
bury  with  tlie  otlier  settlements.  Its  commencement  was  at 
Mill  liiver.  It  r.in  in  the  direction  of  Baldwin  street,  continu- 
ing along  upon  the  higli  ground  on  the  east  side  of  Naugatuck 
Kiver,  and  some  distance  from  it,  passing  a  Uttlo  east  of  tlie 
old  burying  yard  at  Judd's  Meadow.  It  was  used  as  the  road 
to  Judd's  Meadow  till  1721,  (when  a  highway  on  the  west  side 
of  the  river  was  built,)  and  as  the  road  to  New  Haven  till  the 
present  turnpike  was  constracted,  about  1802. 

In  June,  1716,  there  was  a  survey  of  the  "  country  road"  to 
New  Haven  bySerg.  Stephen  Upson  and  Abram  Andmss, 
which  is  recorded.  It  began  at  the  paith  that  goeth  over 
the  river  a  letel  westward  of  the  mill,"  at  the  mouth  of  the 
mill  treanch,"  and  ended  at  the  New  Haven  bounds.  The 
road  ran  apparently  where  the  old  one  did.  The  survey  of  the 
New  Haven  road  is  the  first  which  is  recorded.  Distances 
and  points  of  compass  are  not  mentioned,  and  little  can  now 
be  learned  from  it. 

The  third  road  ranning  out  of  Waterbury,  chronologically 
speaking,  was  the  Woodbury  road.  It  is  mentioned  inciden- 
tally as  early  as  1687,  though  it  could  not  liave  been  much 
used  at  that  time.  After  the  breaking  out  of  the  French  and 
Indian  wars,  which  followed  the  English  lievolution,  this  be- 


Digitized  by  Google 


HISTORY  OF  WATERBUET. 


95 


came  a  more  important  and  more  frequently  traveled  road. 
It  connected  Woodbury  with  Hartford  and  the  river  towns. 
It  was  made  use  of,  it  is  believed,  to  commnnicate  with  Al- 
bany and  the  military  posts  lying  north  of  that  place.  The 

Waterbury  people,  in  their  petition  to  the  General  CcJurt  for 
assistance  in  buil(Un<^  tlieir  new  meeting  house  in  1691,  while 
enumerating  their  burdens,  speak  of  the  trouble  and  expense 
of  "  the  soldiers  passing  to  and  fro  and  their  often  entertain- 
ments." After  Mr.  Peck  was  disabled  by  illness,  the  inhab- 
itants of  AVaterbury  went  by  this  road  to  Woodbury  to  ob- 
tain baptism  for  their  children.  It  passed  up  the  West  Side 
hill  nearly  where  the  present  road  runs  across  Breakneck 
Hill,  north  of  the  pond,  in  Middlebury. 

In  June,  1720,  Isaac  Bronson,  Timothy  Standly  and  Tliomas 
Judd  laid  out  a  "rode  towards  Woodbury,"  commencing  at 

the  weste  bars,"  being  twenty  rods  wide  for  a  distance  uj)  the 
hill,  running  by  Isaac  Bronson's  farm  (at  Breakneck)  and 
ending  "  at  the  going  down  of  Wolfpit  Hill  to  the  Bridg 
Brook  at  Woodbury  bounds."  At  what  points  tliis  road  de- 
viated from  the  old  one,  I  am  unable  to  say.  The  old  path  " 
is  referred  to  in  only  one  instance. 

In  Dec  1766,  there  was  a  resurvey  of  tlie  Woodbury  road, 
commencing  at  Obadiah  Scovill's  (now  Mrs.  Bennet  Bronson's) 
comer,  (being  four  rods  and  eleven  feet  from  Andrew  Bron- 
son's  comer  opposite,)  and  running  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
six  rods  to  the  bridge,  the  highway  being  three  rods  wide. 
On  the  other  side  of  the  river,  the  road  was  eleven  rods  wide, 
and  on  the  hill,  twenty  rods  wide.  The  old  river  crossing  was 
some  ten  rods  below  die  present  bridge. 

The  road  to  Bucks  Hill  was  next  in  order.  Feb  25fh,  1702- 
3,  "  Sergt.  Bronson  and  Ens.  Stanley  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  lay  out  a  highway  firora  y*  highway  at  town  to 
Bucks  Hill  and  a  passage  from  Bucks  Hill  to  y* common  fenc  at 
Hancox  Meadow  and  one  to  Ash  Swamp."  Another  committee, 
consisting  of  Doct.  Warner  and  Kichard  Wilton,  were  chosen 
to  lay  out  a  road  to  Bucks  Hill,  in  1715.  But  there  is  no  rec- 
ord of  a  survey  at  either  of  these  times;  but  iu  1724,  E}»liraim 
Wanier  and  John  Bronson  "laid  out  a  hiirliwav  to  Bucks  Hill, 
beginning  at  the  Claypits,  [west  corner  of  I^orth  Main  and 


Digitized  by  Google 


96 


UISTOKV  OF  WATKRBUBT. 


Grove  J  six  rods  wide  where  the  path  now  is,"  and  nrnning  to 
Edmund  Scott^s  pastare,  then  twenty  rods  wide  to  Obadiah 

Scott's  house,  thence  in  the  path  to  the  east  end  of  Bucks  Hill 
to  Richard  Welton's  house,  thence  northward  in  a  patli  to 

Ilancox  j^rook  Meadow. 

The  following  town  vote  relates  to  the  continuation  of  AVil- 
low  street,  up  the  liill  nortli  of  Mi"s.  Heniiet  Bronson's  dwelling. 
It  is  the  earliest  furnial  record  concerning  a  highway  out- 
side of  the  original  town  plot. 

Oct.  '10.  1713,  at  atown  metinp  the  town  detcrniin  tint  the  hifjhway  to  run 
northward  by  the  common  fens  from  John  fcouils  on  therst  sid  of  the  fen«  t^hal  be 
the  Hi\m  brcth  [breadth]  as  tia  a  gainst  said  scouils  lot  till  it  cotus  to  the  cxteat 
of  a>id  scotdb  Iradestward  from  the  fens. 

A  highway  towards  Westbury  through  the  common  lield 
was  laid  out  by  Natlianiel  Arnold  and  Tliomas  Barnes,  in 
Nov.  1720.  It  began  at  the  road  on  the  hill  against  Manlian 
Meadow,"  (wlicre  the  hoiiHC  marked  Timothy  Cliurch  stands,) 
and  "  continued  twenty  foot  wide  as  the  path  now  goes  "  to  the 
upper  end  of  Manhan  Meadow.*  It  then  crossed  the  river  and 
bore  westward  and  northward  across  SteePs  Meadow  to  Steel's 
Plain  east  of  J.  G.  Bronson'B  house.  This  rond  was  aabse- 
qnently  changed  at  its  commencement  near  the  village,  so  as 
to  begin  at  "the  country  road  that  goetli  to  Woodbury  before 
we  come  to  Manhan  Meadow  Hill,''  crossing  the  plain  and  a 
small  brook,  and  continuing  on  the  hill  side,  near  where  the 
present  road  runs.  At  the  other  end,  or  Steel's  Plain,  it  was 
continued  west  and  nortli,  at  tlie  foot  of  the  hill  up  Steel's 
Brook  and  on  the  west  side,  and  so  on  to  Scott  mill,  Wooster 
Swamp  and  ihe  village,  in  the  northern  and  northwestern  part 
of  Westbury. 

That  part  of  the  present  Watertown  road  which  is  next  to 
the  covered  bridge  was  not  laid  out  till  November,  1758. 
It  began  three  rods  from  the  top  of  the  river  *bank,  and  ran 

•  In  Ellot'i  Indian  Bible,  Munban,  ManlMBi  Monnahan  Mannahan,  Ac,  are  the  Indian 
words  for  an  Island.  Manltattan,  the  Indian  name  of  New  York  Iiland,  is  doubtlen  th« 
same  word  in  another  dialeot.  There  are  indications,  (or  used  to  1>e,)  that  Manhan  Meadow 
WM  once  an  Island,  and  that  *  pwt  of  the  river,  at  no  rery  distant  period,  ran  down  u|M>n  the 
ea4t  sidf  next  the  htll  In  the  course  of  the  canal  of  the  Water  Power  Co.,  and  so  continuing 
throttcb  the  old  Long  Oove  and  along  the  line  of  the  Naugatuek  railroad  till  It  met  the  Great 
Brock.  TUa  wm  law  gmnd,  »aA  tbrnglMttt  lt«  ailcnt  fbar*  vm,  Id  tb«  vHttr^l  mBoty, 
ft«taln«rnlBtotartl>lMi«r  foods. 


Digitized  by  Google 


Google 


UI8T0BY  OF  WAHSRBUKT. 


97 


northward  forty  four  rods  to  a  heep  of  stonea  three  rods  fh>m 
the  bank  on  the  west  side  of  Bronson's  Island."  It  then  ran  a 
little  more  eastward  nine  rods  to  an  apple  tree  three  rods  from 
the  river  bank ;  then  northward  one  hundred  and  thirteen 
rods  to  a  rock  three  rods  from  the  top  of  the  river  bank,  bound- 
ing east  on  said  bank ;  then  a  little  west  of  north  twenty  rods ; 
then  "  northward,"  in  all,  one  hundred  and  ninety-four  rods, 
terminating  at  a  heap  of  stones  between  Joseph  Bronson's 
and  Obadiah  Kicliards"  at  "the  passage  that  comes  from 
TiMupkiris  to  Isaac't^  Meadow." 

Fniiu  tlie  description  of  tliis  road,  it  would  seem  that  tlie 
river  above  the  bridge  (or  a  branch  of  it)  at  the  date  mention- 
ed, ran  th)vvn  across  the  meadow  three  rods  from  tlie  highway. 
The  road  was  designed  to  give  the  AVestburv  people  and  those 
living  north  up  the  river,  access  to  the  lower  bridge. 

In  Dec.  1721,  there  was  a  highway  laid  out  to  Judd's 
Meadow,*  on  the  west  side  of  the  river.  It  began  at  Long 
Meadow  bars  and  passed  down  the  river  a  distance,  then  over 
the  hill  and  across  Hop  Brook,  and  ended  at  Joseph  Lewis' 
home  lot. 

T(»  reach  this  road,  people  went  in  at  the  south  meadow 
gate,  followed  the  course  of  the  present  turnpike  to  the  lower 
end  of  Mad  Meadow,  and  crossed  the  Naugatuck  River  at  the 
"Long  Meadow  riding  place,"  at  the  foot  of  Benedict  and 
Bnrnham  Manufacturing  Go's  race  way. 

The  river  road  to  Plymouth  (now  called)  did  not  exist  at  an 
early  period.  There  was  one,  however,  laid  out  on  the  west 
side  December,  1785,  from  Steel's  Plain  northward  to  Buck's 
Meadow  Mountain,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  inhabitants 
living  in  that  direction.  On  the  east  side  of  the  Kaugatuck, 
there  was  the  pent  road  to  the  upper  end  of  Manhan  Meadow. 
From  this  point,  it  was  extended  (at  a  very  early  date,  doubt- 
less) to  Hancox  Meadow,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  farm- 
ers. There  was  a  piissage  above  for  those  living  upon  the 
river,  north ;  for  in  1738,  it  was  stated  by  the  people  of  Korth- 


*  March  26(h|  1(99.  **  Abraliam  Audruu,  Sea.,  John  Warner,  8«n.,  and  Jobo  llopklna  were 
eb«Mn  a  aonmlMM  to  lay  oat  a  paisage  to  J«M*a  HMdow.** 

Where  It  was  proposed  that  thia  paiMf*  thaoM  bt,or  wbettttr  the  eonadttea  dM  anytbtaf  aa 
the  anbject,  doa  not  a^ear. 

7 


Digitized  by  Google 


98 


HISTOBY  OF  WATEKBURY. 


bury,  in  their  petition  to  the  Assembly  for  "  winter  privileges," 
that  to  get  to  meeting  at  the  center,  tiiey  were  obliged  to  cross 
the  river  nine  times,  and  to  pass  tlirougli  ten  gates  and  sets  of 
bars.*  In  October,  1745,  a  regnlar  highway  was  laid  out 
from  tlie  month  of  Sjiriice  Broi)k,  south,  on  the  river  hank, 
twelve  rods  wide,  to  lluncox  Meadow.  In  December,  1772, 
a  committee  was  appointed  to  go  and  view  a  propot^ed  pent 
road  tlie  eiust  side  of  tlie  river  through  llaucox  Meadow  to 
Norlhl)ury  and  make  rei)ort." 

Tlie  present  tnrnj)ike  road  from  Plymouth  to  Salem  (Xang- 
atnek)  bridge,  there  to  unite  with  the  Strait's  turnpike  con- 
necting New  Haven  M  ith  Litchtiehl  by  Watertown,  was  fin- 
ished in  1702.  It  was  an  open  highway  and  a  great  under- 
taking. 

I  suppose  that  the  first  bridge  over  the  Naugatnck  Piver 
was  built  on  the  Woodbury  road,  in  1736,  probably  a  little 
below  where  the  present  bridge  stands,  in  accordance  with  a 
town  vote  passed  in  1735.   In  Dec.  173G,  there  was  a  tax  laid 

of  three  pence  on  the  pound  to  pay  the  clmrges  of  the  bridge 
and  other  town  ehaiges."  These  are  the  first  notices  of  a 
bridge  to  be  fonnd  on  record.  In  a  petition  to  the  General 
Conrt  for  winter  privileges,*'  in  October,  1782,  the  West- 
bury  people  mentioned  as  one  of  the  reasons  why  dieir  prayer 
should  be  granted,  that  they  were  separated  fW>m  the  meeting 
house  by  a  great  river  which  is  called  Waterbniy  River, 
which  for  great  part  of  the  winter  and  spring  is  not  passable.*' 
It  is  fair  therefore  to  conclude  that  no  bridge  was  in  existence 
in  1733,  and  that  the  notices  which  have  been  referred  to  in 
1735  and  1736,  relate  to  the  first  bridge. 

In  the  spring  of  1740-41,  the  bridge  was  carried  away  or 
much  damaged  by  a  flood.  A  vote  M  as  j)assed  to  '*re]>air'' 
it,  and  Lieut.  Thomas  Bronson  and  others  were  ajtpoiiiled  a 
committee  "  to  look  after  and  save  what  tind)er  can  be 
found."  In  the  fall,  however,  the  bri<lge  had  been  again 
swept  away,  and  a  committee  was  chosen  to  rebuild  it,  and  to 


*  A  letter  before  nie  from  Mr.  Noah  M.  BrooND  of  Medina,  Ohio,  dated  July,  I8B61,  wh«i 
th«  vrltor  wm  elghty-ciKht  years  of  nge,  itatee  that  In  pawing  down  the  ritrer  tnmM0»%» 
WAtorbwy  TUlage,  with  «  teem,  aner  the  Revolution,  OM  WM  CMifod  lo  eroM  tkt  elNM  lU 
tlBMii  aod  Nowre  tnm  tweatx-flvt  to  thlrtj  scte  of  ban. 


Digitized  by  Google 


UISTO&Y  OF  WATESBUST. 


99 


''take  advice  in  what  form  or  manner"  to  construct  it  They 
were  to  have  "a  discretionary  power  whether  to  hire  it  done 

bv  the  irrate  or  otherwise/'  In  order  to  defray  a  i)art  of  the 
expenses,  it  was  decided,  in  February,  1743-4,  to  ask  the 
General  Assenildy  ttt  make  "  the  bridge  built  over  the  Nauga- 
tuck  River  in  the  country  road  to  Woodbury  a  toll  bridge." 

In  February',  1748-9,  it  was  necessary  again  to  reldiild  the 
bridge  on  the  Wondhury  roa<l,  "the  timber  and  ])lunk  of  the 
old  bridge  "  to  be  used.  £80  were  a})propriated  tor  this  pur- 
pose. In  1758,  a  bridge  was  built  by  Isaac  Bntiison  and 
George  Nichols.  Five  pounds  were  voted  them  the  next  year. 
In  September,  1761,  they  petitioned  the  town  for  thirty  })ounds, 
saying  the  whole  cost  of  the  bridge  had  been  about  sixty -live 
pounds  Lawful  money,*  and  that  it  was  hard  for  them  to  bear 
the  whole  chai^ge.  It  had  not  been  made  a  public  bridge  at 
this  time. 

In  December,  1745,  Capt.  Samuel  Hickox  requested  the 
town  to  assist  him  to  erect  a  bridge  over  the  river  at  the  up- 
per end  of  Hancox  Meadow,  (where  he  had  a  mill.)  "They 
aUowed  him  to  call  out  Waterbury  men  and  Bucks'  Hill  men 
and  those  of  the  old  society,  exduding  Judd*s  Meadow  men, 
that  are  obliged  to  work  in  the  highway,  one  day,  provided 
he  allow  a  pent  road  through  his  fields  and  maintain  gates  and 
furnish  a  good  cart  bridge." 

Li  January,  1748-9,  twenty-two  pounds  were  granted  to 
Capt  Hickox  towards  a  good  cart  bridge  at  his  mill,"  a 
flood  having  swept  away  the  old  one.  Abraham  Hickox  and 
John  Hickox,  (sons  of  Capt.  Samuel,)  received  from  the  town, 
March,  1764,  three  pounds  as  a  donation,"  for  the  cart  bridge 
which  they  had  built  over  the  "  Oreat  River,"  at  the  same 
place,  the  other  having  apparently  shared  the  fate  of  the  first. 
Twelve  pounds,  in  provision,  were  appropriated,  in  February, 
17<)7,  for  still  another  bridge  at  Ilancox  Meadow. 

A  cart  bridge  in  Northbury  was  about  being  built  in  1747, 
and  £22  money,  old  tenor,  were  voted  Dec.  8th,  of  that  year, 
to  be  paid  when  the  bridge  was  completed.   It  was  situated. 


•  llM  fMtf cr  wlU  Md«niMd  ttal  41  oM  OMwaettoot  cwNMy  WM  lh«  aqolTyc^ 

V.B,«mmneT* 


Digitized  by  Google 


100 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATBRBUBT. 


acoording  to  the  record,  ^'  where  the  highway  is  laid  to  the 
river,  east  from  Mr.  John  How's  house."  Five  pounds  were 
granted  in  Febmaiy,  1759,  to  the  society  of  Korthburj  for 
their  encouragement  in  constructing  a  cart  bridge  over  the 
river  at  that  place.  Probably  the  old  bridge  had  been  de- 
stroyed by  a  freshet,  and  the  balance  of  the  tiost  of  replacing 
it  was  borne  by  individuals. 

In  1761,  eleven  petitioners  applied  to  the  General  Court  for 
relief,  saying  that  tliey  had  built  a  bridge  over  the  river  near 
the  cent^  of  Northbury,  at  an  expense  of  £70,  and  that  the 
town  refused  to  pay  for  it  The  town  was  ordered  to  pay  £30 
and  keep  the  bridge  in  repair. 

In  January,  1748-9,  a  grant  of  twenty-two  pounds  money, 
old  tenor,  was  made,  for  the  first  time,  ai)parently,  for  con- 
structinc^  a  bridge  over  the  Mud  River,  a  little  below  Mr.  Jon- 
athan Buldwin'ri  mill,  on  the  road  to  Judd's  Meadow. 

On  the  report  of  a  committee,  March  5th,  1753,  the  town 
"voted  that  Judd's  Meadow  men  should  draw  one  Inimlred 
j)ounds  money,  old  tenor,  out  of  the  town  treasury  towards 
the  buildiuf^  a  bridge  over  the  river  at  the  mouth  of  Toantick 
[Long  Meadow]  Brook,"  provided  that  there  shall  be  no  far- 
ther demands  on  the  town  for  building  or  repairing  a  bridge  in 
tliat  ]>lace."  In  February,  1759,  however,  the  town  gave 
Cai)t.  Thomas  Porter  five  pounds  for  building  a  bridge  "  in 
that  place;"  and  in  September,  1761,  twenty  pounds  for  the 
same  or  another  bridge. 

Five  petitioners,  in  1767,  applied  to  the  General  Assembly, 
and  asked  that  the  town  might  be  ordered  to  pay  for  and  keep 
in  repair  a  bridge  which  they  had  erected  over  the  Naugatuck 
at  Judd's  Meadow,  at  an  expense  of  £50.  The  town  paid 
twenty-five  pounds  for  a  cart  bridge ;  and  four  years  after^ 
wards,  or  in  December,  1771,  accepted  the  bridge  as  a  town 
bridge.  Betbre  the  dose  of  the  winter,  it  was  again  carried 
away  by  a  flood,  as  was  the  Northbuiy  bridge. 

December,  i757,  the  town  voted  to  pay  Mr.  Joseph  Bron- 
Bon  five  pnundit   towards  y*  building  a  cart  bridge  over  y* 
river  neai*  the  upper  end  of  Manhan  Meadow,  provided  he 
shall  com]>!et<»  such  bridge  by  y  first  of  December  next.** 
Tliere  are  b  ill  lemaining  slight  traces  of  the  eastern  abutment 


Digitized  by 


HI8T0BT  or  WATBRBUBT. 


101 


of  a  bridge  a  few  rods  above  the  river  crossing  to  Steel's 
Meadow.  Josepli  Bronson  lived  where  the  Alms  House  now 
stands.  The  bridge  was  a  private  one,  and  probably  did  not 
remain  long. 

At  the  same  time,  (Dec.  '67,)  five  pounds  were  voted  to 
CSapt  Thomas  Porter  for  a  good  horse  bridge  which  he  pro- 
posed to  build  over  the  river  at  Beaver  Meadow. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  preceding  notices  that  the  work 
of  constracting  and  repairing  the  bridges  over  the  Nangatnck 
was  exceedingly  bordensome.  The  freshets  in  those  days  are 
believed  to  have  been  more  fireqnent  and  destructive  than 
now.  The  bridges,  too,  were  less  substantially  built,  and  the 
people  undertook  to  maintain  too  many  of  them. 

It  may  surprise  the  present  generation  to  know  that  the 
thought  was  once  entertained  of  improving  the  Naugatuck 
River,  and  then  using  it  for  the  purposes  of  navigation.  De- 
cember 2l8t,  1761,  Abrjilnim  Ilickox  and  Stephen  Upson,  Jr., 
petitioned  the  town  that  men  might  be  permitted  to  work 
at  clearing  the  river,"  and  have  their  work  allowed  as  high- 
way work,  "  it  liaving  been  conjectured  that  the  river  trom 
"Waterbury  to  Derby  might  l)e  made  naviga))le  for  battooiug." 
There  seems  to  have  been  iio  action  on  the  petition. 


CHAPTEB  IX. 

INDIAN  WABS:  THB  OSBAT  FLOOD:  THE  GREAT  SICKNESS. 

FaoM  1689,  when  William  and  Mary  ascended  the  throne 
of  England,  to  the  peace  of  Utrecht,  in  1713,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  about  four  years  from  169T  to  1702,  England  and 
France  were  constantly  at  war.  The  English  colonies  were 
of  course  involved.  During  all  this  time,  the  Indians  of  Can- 


102 


HI8T0RT  OF  WATEB8UBT. 


ada,  Kew  Bnuiswick  aiid  Nova  Scotia,  and  tlic  eastern  and 
northern  parts  of  Maine,  were  under  the  influence  and  control 
of  the  French,  Marauding  parties  of  Lidians,  or  French  and 
Indians,  made  frequent  hostile  expeditions  to  the  infant  settle- 
ments of  New  England,  destroying  the  crops,  driving  off  the 
cattle,  firini;  <l\veUing8,  and  massacreing  the  inhabitants,  or 
carrying  them  into  captivity.  The  colonies,  particularly  the 
weaker  ones,  were  kept  in  a  state  of  perpetual  alarm.  During 
this  whole  period,  Waterbury  was  a  frontier  town  and  mnch 
exposed  from  the  small  number  of  its  people,  the  want  of  for- 
tified places  and  its  distance  from  effectual  succor.  It  was 
not  till  1720  that  Litchfield  was  settled  on  the  north,  affording 
protection  in  that  direction.  With  Woodbury  and  Derby  on 
the  west  and  south,  our  fathers  had  little  intercourse  for  many 
years. 

By  an  act  of  the  colonial  government,  the  people  of  Water- 
bury,  during  much  of  the  time  of  which  I  have  been  speak- 
ing, were  required  to  keep  two  men  employed  as  scouts  "  to 

discover  the  designs  of  the  enemy,  and  to  give  intelligence 
should  they  make  tlieir  appearance."  They  pei*fonned  this 
dutv  in  rotation.  Elevated  i)lace8  which  overlooked  the  vil- 
lage  and  the  meadows  where  the  men  lahored  during  the 
day  were  selected,  where  the  sentinels  were  placed.  Newel's 
Hill,  east  of  Willard  fc>peneer's,  was  one  of  these  places,  and  the 
liigli  ground  back  of  the  lunise  occu])ied  by  the  late  Daniel 
Ilayden  {David  Ilayden  on  the  map)  was  another.  Tlie  re- 
cords show  the  preparations  which  were  made  from  time  to 
time  for  defense : — 

April  ^\  1700.  The  town  toI^  [in  consequence  of  epprebended  traablo 
from  tbo  Indiane]  to  fortUy  Bnt.  Stanley's  bouse  and  if  it  Blumld  prone  trouble- 
some  tinee  and     town  see  they  hsTC  need,  two  more  should  thoy  be  utile. 

Att  \*  same  meeting  j*  town  ap:reed  by  uoato  for  y«  ImiMitiL'  y«  fort  nbout 
onsirrn  J^tandly'.s  houn  that  the  town  go  abought  it  forllnvitli,  nl  ujen  and  boys 
and  teanw  )  »  arc  able  to  worck  and  to  begin  to  morrow,  and  he  y»  shall  negleet 
to  go  on  with  the  worok  tUl  It  be  dun  shall  forthwith  pay  to  the  aduantage  of  y« 
worak  Ss  6d  for  a  man  and  6a  fore  team  a  day. 

Aprill:  16'^,  1708  y*  town  desired  y*  towns  men  to  prouid  a  town  stock  of  aini- 
uition  according  to  law  hi*  80on  as  they  can  conoeniently  and  if  need  be  to  cans  a 
mte  to  be  mad  for  to  purehif  stock. 

[At  the  next  meeting  in  Oct. J  the  town  mad  choys  of  Left  Wmothy  Sundly  for 
to  keep  y*  town  atoek  of  ammonitlon:  for  y*  town.  [Each  town  was  required  by 


Digitized  by  Google 


UISTOSY  OF  WAT££BUBY. 


103 


atotnte  to  keep  "«  barrel  of  good  powder,  two  himdred  weight  of  bollata,  tad 
three  hundred  flints,  for  every  sixty  listed  sotddiers,  and  after  that  proportion/ 

L<'ft.  iStanlcy  commanded  the  train  band;  of  course  it  was  meet  that  he  should 

have  tlio  t  liiitfri^  of  the  "niilitnrv  -torfs."] 

March  y*— 25— 1701—  v«  town  a^'rccd  to  fortifi  Mr.  Southmaid'fl  horn,  and 
dealt  jttdd  Left  Stanly  and  tho  judd  iur  was  appointed  to  stake  out  each  man  his 
proportion  according  to  their  gran  leauey. 

In  May,  1704,  tlic  General  Court  (le;<i<i:nated  Waterbury  as 
one  f>t'  the  frontier  towns.  Tliev  ordered  that  ten  men  should 
**  be  put  in  garrison''  in  each  of  the  towns  ofDaiibwry,  Wood- 
bury, "VVaterbury  and  JSiiubbury. 

Feb  81  1706-7  the  town  agreed  to  buld  the  foert  that  la  at  left  standlls  strong. 

at  the  same  meeting  the  act  wiw  past  to  build  a  nue  foart  at  the  cost  end  of  the 
town  at  the  place  wher  they  phall  ajjre  dek  thomas  judd  was  chosinp  comiti  to 
asist  the  townsmen  laying  the  s"*  foart^j  out  and  to  state  euiri  [everyj  mao^'sj  pre 
posan  [proportion]  acording  to  his  leui. 

An  ahiriu  was  spread  throu*rh  the  country  early  in  1707,  in 
eonsef  juence  of  intelligence  that  the  French  and  Indians  of 
Canada  were  planning  a  descent  upon  the  colonies.  It  M  as 
rejiortcd,  too,  that  the  Indians  of  Woodbury  and  New  Milford 
— the  Pootatucks  and  Wiantenncks— had  fonned  an  alliance 
witli  the  enemy.  A  council  of  war  was  convened  in  Hartford 
in  February,  and  it  was  resolved  that  the  frontier  towns  upon 
the  west,  which  were  most  exposed — Simsbury,  Waterbury, 
Woodbury,  and  Danbury— «hould  be  fortified  with  all  possible 
despatch*  Aa  Waterbury  had  sustained  great  losses  from  the 
floods.  It  was  resolved  that  the  Governor  and  Council,  as  an 
encouragement  to  the  work,  would  recommend  to  the  Assem- 
bly an  abatement  of  the  country  rates  (colony  taxes)  of  the 
town.* 

The  people  of  Waterbury  bestirred  themselves  in  due  time. 
Hie  work  of  cutting  bushes"  was  laid  aside.  A  statute,  in 
those  days,  required  the  selectmen  of  every  town  to  warn 
every  male  person  from  fourteen  years  old  to  seventy  (with 
certain  cxeejjtions)  to  work  one  day  in  each  year  in  cutting 
down  and  clearing  the  underwootl  in  any  highways,  commons, 
or  otlier  jdacc:^  agreed  (»n  hy  the  town,''  the  olijeet  l)eing  to 
improve  the  pasture,  tfcc.    It  was  this  work  doubtless  that  was 


•  TnHBboU'i  Blslorr  of  Ooanselleati  I,  m 


Digitized  by  Google 


104 


UIBTO&Y  OF  WATfiKBUBT. 


to  give  way  to  tlio  pressure  of  iiiipeudmg  war.  I  copy  from 
the  record : — 

June  j«  iS— 1707  y*  town  by  mmU  eooridMing  onr  troubles  and  feere  <^  no 

encmie  do  agree  to  lay  a  aid  cuting  buadite  which  vras  warned  for  this  daj  till 
after  niiculmast,  and  this  day  forthwith  to  go  abought  finshing  and  rcpayring  y« 
fort^  and  to  finish  them  by  weuaduy  next  at  night  [;]  and  he  or  they  y'  shall 
neglect  to  do  their  part  of  b'  foorta  according  to  y*  intent  of  this  act  and  direction 
of  y*  con~ty  shall  be  proseeded  agrinst  by  diatteas  as  y*  law  directs  in  rates  [;] 
y*  price  <rf y*  worek  to  be  atated  by  y*  eoin~ty— «tl  the  aame  meeting  Leiu~  Tim" 
Stanlj  serj.  Isaac  brunson  and  Stephen  ubaom  sen'  was  chosen  a  com~ty  with  y* 
townsmen  for  y  above  s^  worclc. 

At  the  October  SesBion,'  in  1707,  the  General  Court  made 
liberal  grants  of  money  to  the  frontier  towns  for  tlieir  prompt- 
ness and  zeal  in  fortifvin'?  themselves.  Waterburv  received 
£15,  to  be  divided  among  its  people  according  to  tlie  amount 
of  hibor  performed. 

At  the  October  (?)  Session  of  the  Assenihly,  in  1708,  it  was 
enacted,  tliat  two  forts  should  be  erected  in  AVatcrbury,  and 
that  garrisons  should  be  nuiintained  at  the  public  cliarijre  at 
Simsbnry  and  Watorbury,  two  in  each  place.  Thus  the  ^gov- 
ernment assumed  the  res])on8ibility  and  the  expense  of  de- 
fending the  people  of  Waterburj-.  The  latter,  however,  still 
supported  one  of  the  forts  at  their  own  cost : — 

NoTon^  Ift*^  no6  y*  town  agree  to  have  three  forte  in  y*  Town  one  biiSt  at  y* 
west  end  of  y*  Town  on  the  etintry  aoeoutt  one  at  Leiu  Stanlya  on  y*  cuntry  ac- 
count one  at  John  hoi>kins  hous  on  Town  account — [Dec.  13,  1708]  the  fortto 
be  bult  at  the  west  end  of  the  town  shall  be  bolt  about  Mr.  Southmayds  boos. 

These  fortifications,  so  called,  were  distributed  in  such  a  way 
as  to  be  of  convenient  access  to  the  scattered  jiopulatiou.  They 
were  coiihtruetcd  of  logs  or  sticks  of  timber  })laeed  firmly  in  the 
ground,  perpendicularly  and  close  together,  with  a  door  prop- 
erly secured  for  passing  in  and  out.  Tlie  houses  to  be  for- 
tified were  thus  surrounded  by  a  high  and  strong  wooden  wall. 
Such  a  wall  woidd  afford  very  good  security  against  Indian 
attacks.  A  small  body  of  troops  placed  within  one  of  the  en- 
cloenres,  well  provided  with  gnns  and  ammunition,  and  firing 
through  crevices,  could  resist  and  beat  off  a  large  body  of  hos- 
tile savages.  To  these  fortified  houses  all  the  people  resorted 
at  night,  retoming  again  in  the  morning  to  their  hooses  'and 


Digitized  by  Google 


■ 


mSTOBY  OF  WATEBBUBY.  105 

the  lal)ors  of  the  day.  But,  notwithstanding  all  that  was  done, 
tlie  aii'iiirs  of  the  settliMncnt  reniained  in  a  critieul  state. 

In  the  t^i)riiii::  of  ITOD,  the  New  England  colonies,  at  tlie  in- 
stance of  the  royal  govennnent,  fitted  out  an  expedition 
against  Canada,  which  was  to  meet  an  English  force  at  Boston 
and  sail  for  Quehec.  Of  the  three  hundred  and  tifty  men 
which  Connecticut  provided,  AV^aterbury  furnished  four.  The 
English  fleet  never  arrived  and  the  enteri>ri8e  was  a  failure. 
One  quarter  or  more  of  the  troops,  Bays  Dr.  TrnmbuU,  died. 
Connecticut  lost  ninety  men. 

In  1710,  a  party  of  Indians,  or  French  and  Indians,  made  a 
visit  to  Simsbury  and  Waterbuiy.  In  the  south  part  of  what 
is  now  PlymouUi,  they  killed  a  man  named  Holt  (He  may 
have  been  a  transient  person,  or  a  hunter  from  another  town.) 
The  place  is  called  Mount  Holt,  from  the  cirenmstance  of  the 
massacre.  It  is  a  spur  of  Mount  Toby.  About  the  same  time, 
some  Indians  came  down  from  Canada,  on  their  customary 
errand,  and  ascended  a  hill,  or  mountain,  on  the  west  side  of 
the  river,  opposite  Mount  Taylor,  to  reconnoitre.  They  saw 
Jonathan  Scott  seated  under  a  large  oak  tree,  in  Hancock's 
Meadow,  eating  his  dinner,  with  his  two  sons,  aged  fourteen 
and  eleven,  at  a  little  distance.  The  Indians  approached 
stealthily,  keeping  in  a  line  wilih  the  tree  and  Mr.  Scott.  In 
this  way  they  reached  him  unperceived  and  made  him  pris- 
oner. The  boys  took  to  their  heels ;  hut  the  father,  in  order 
to  save  his  own  life,  which  he  was  given  to  understand  would 
be  taken  if  he  refused,  rrealled  his  sons.  Tlius  the  three  were 
captured.  The  Indians  then  retraced  their  steps  rapidly  Avith 
their  ])rizes,  having  taken  the  precaution  to  cut  otf  Scott's 
riglit  thumb,  iu  order  to  cripple  him  if  he  should  make  resist- 
ance. 

Tlie  wife  of  Jonathan  Scott  was  Hannah  Hawks,  the  daugh- 
ter of  John  Hawks  of  Decrlield.  Her  mother  was  killed  in 
the  Indian  attack  on  that  town  on  the  terrible  twenty-ninth  of 
February,  1704.  Her  only  sister,  Elizabeth,  was  taken  pris- 
oner and  put  to  deatli  on  her  way  to  Canada.  Her  only 
brother  John  and  his  wife  and  tliree  children,  were  also  slain. 
Poor  John  Hawks  was  thus  bereft  of  all  his  family  except 
Hannah  of  Waterbuiy.  What  must  have  been  the  anguish  of 


Digitized  by  Google 


106 


UI1»T0£Y  OF  WATEKBUET. 


both  when  this  new  bereavement  became  known!  Hawks 
spent  his  latter  days  witli  liis  daii'^hter  in  Waterbury. 

The  following  vote  explains  itself: 

[July  20*''  niu]  the  town  by  vote  guue  jouuihau  Scott  his  town  rut  for  1709 
for  getUng  oat  of  town  wifiam  atanerds  wifo  [» transient  person  whom  the  select- 
men bad  warned  ont  of  town,]  and  in  eonaderation  of  hia  present  aurcumstaucs 
be  being  In  captiritj. 

The  General  Court,  also,  in  1711,  abated  the  colony  tax  of 
Hannah  Scott,  "in  consequence  of  her  husband  being  in  cap- 
tivity in  Ganada." 

After  the  peace,  Jonathan  Scott,  with  his  eldest  son,  Jona- 
than, returned  to  Waterbury.  The  younger  son,  John,  be- 
came accustomed  to  savage  life,  preferred  it,  and  never  return- 
ed. This  preference,  under  similar  circumstances,  is  not  a 
solitary  instance.  White  people  who  liave  been  a  long  time 
with  the  Indians,  particularly  if  their  acquaintance  began  in 
childhood,  very  generally  become  attached  to  thcni  and  their 
mode  of  living.  It  is  far  easier  to  make  a  bavage  out  of,  than 
into,  a  civilized  man.* 

At  the  May  seN>i<)n  of  1721,  Scott  a})i>lied  to  tlie  (icneral 
Assembly  for  pecuniary  assistance  on  account  of  the  e.\}»ensc8 
of  his  captivity  and  his  attempts  to  release  his  son.  lie  was 
allowed  ten  pounds.  In  October,  1725,  he  again  petitioned  ; 
this  time  for  aid  to  get  his  son  out  of  bondage,  and  obtained  a 
grant  of  £5. 

The  capture  of  Scott  and  his  sons,  of  course,  produced  great 
excitement  among  the  inhabitants  of  Waterbury.  The  alarm 
was  greater  from  their  not  knowing  the  extent  of  the  danger, 
or  the  time  an  impending  storm  might  break  over  them.  Their 
utmost  vigilance  might  fail  to  give  them  tlic  needed  warning. 
It  was  in  this  state  of  uncertainty  that  the  following  vote  was 
taken : 

July  26, 1710  tbe  town  by  note  mad  cboae  of  Hr.  jobn  Sotb  mad  de  Tbomas 
Jndd  Ifl  timothy  standly  sr  John  hopkios  a  comity  to  draw  up  in  writing  the  «nr- 
coni.«tanf«e8  of  the  town  in  tliistini  of  ware  and  roprosent  to  the  pom  ral  tort  to  be 
holdcn  in  New  haven  on  agst  4  1710  by  their  dubotys  to  be  by  them  presented 
to  liaid  cort 

The  General  Court  made  provision  for  tlie  safety  of  the 
town,  as  appears  from  the  colony  records : 

•  8e«  BittCbtaMOft^  Blitory  of  MaMadiaMtti,  II,  p.  Itt,  nets. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATEBBDBT. 


107 


In  coiuiideratiou  of  the  retaotoiie.s^  uf  the  towu  of  Waterbury  from  the  Cbunty 
town  «od  the  eommittee  of  mr  appoiuled  there,  by  reaeoo  whereof  they  cannot 
have  «o  speedy  relief  np  on  the  sadden  approach  of  the  cneniy  as  is  requisite — 
This  Assembly  do  conMitate  and  )ip{>oint  John  Ailing,  Zaq.y  Major  Samuel  Ells, 
Jcroniiali  Osborn,  and  dipt  John  munson  or  any  three  of  tin-in,  to  he  a 

committee  of  >vnr  with  full  power  up  on  the  applicatiou  of  llie  iuhubituuta  of  said 
town  of  Watcrbury,  and  in  case  of  danger  on  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  to  reiso 
and  send  men  thither  lh>m  New  Haven  County  for  their  reUef  hy  seouting  or  lybg 
in  garrison  there,  as  oocasion  mny  reqnire. 

The  next  yt'ar,  in  consequence  of  tlie  continued  tlireaten- 
ing  aspect  of  aHuirs,  tlie  town  appointed  a  committee  U6  fol- 
lows : 

At  a  town  meeting  hi  waterbnry  Aprill  9*^  1711  the  town  hy  note  mad  ehoe  of 
H r.  John  Southmad  Ift  Timothy  Standly  Thomas  Judd:  John  HopkliK  >r  Isao 
bninson  nr  8teuen  up-son  porg  scott  as  a  comniity  to  writ  to  the  comniity  of  tJafety 
at  new  haven  and  to  Keprt-scnt  our  ca«  to  said  coinniity  conxarninp  our  present 
fears  of  the  common  euymy  to  take  their  aduico  and  counsel  in  euid  ufar 

It  ia  difficult  to  picture  to  ourselves  the  condition  of  our 
forefisithers  at  the  time  of  which  I  have  been  Bpeaking.  They 
numbered  only  from  thirty  to  thirty-three  families  throughout 
the  whole  period,  there  being  one  family  less  in  1713,  accord- 
ing to  my  estimate,  than  in  1685.  Ihe  whole  population, 
doubtless,  did  not  amount  to  more  than  two  hundred  souls. 
They  were  far  removed  from  sympathizing  friends,  and  were 
destitute  of  many  of  tlie  comforts  and  all  the  luxuries  of  life. 
Tlioy  toiled  all  ilayto  wrin<x  a  livelihood  from  an  unwilling  soil, 
and  t<M)  fre(|UL'ntly  spent  the  night  in  watching.  Tlieir  dwellings 
at  this  day  would  hardly  he  called  tenantahle.  They  all  sl(.'i>t, 
during  periods  of  supposed  danger,  in  the  fortiticd  houses,  as 
before  etated.  Those  were  larger  than  the  others,  and  were 
selected  in  part  for  that  reason  ;  but  the  three,  or  the  two, 
when  but  two  existed,  could  not  have  i)roperly  accommodated 
so  many.  In  the  winter  season,  when  all  needed  shelter,  tliey 
mnst  have  been  crowded  to  an  inconvenient  and  unwliolesome 
degree.  Indian  warfare  is  of  a  kind  calculated  to  till  the 
breasts  of  a  peaceful  and  exposed  population  with  dreadful 
apjirclicnsions  and  to  chill  the  blood  of  the  most  courageous. 
The  Indian  prowls  about  by  night  and  conceals  himself  by 
day  and  delights  taiost  to  strike  his  victim  unseen.  The  se- 
crecy of  his  movements  is  only  equaled  by  his  fleetness.  He 


Digitized  by  Google 


108 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATSBBUBV 


disdains  the  arts  and  also  the  virtues  of  civilized  warfare, 
lie  tails  upon  the  weak  and  unprotected,  stauj^hter;^  <»ld  men, 
women  and  children,  waylays  the  traveler  and  tortinit.  the 
ca})tive.  Cunning,  treacherous,  l)loodthirs?ty,he  do*;^  the  t'oot- 
8tej)s  of  Ills  eneinv  and  waits  his  chance.  He  niav  he  heaten 
Lack,  but  lie  returns  to  tlie  attack  and  is  subdued  with  ditti- 
culty.  It  is  not  so  much  his  object  to  obtain  victory  as  to  de- 
stroy his  adversaiy  and  lay  waste  his  country.  Tliis  is  the  foe 
with  winch  the  early  settlers  of  Waterbuiy  were  threatened. 
It  does  not  appear  that  they  were  actually  assailed,  except  in 
the  instances  mentioned  ;  but  they  were  for  long  periods  in  a 
state  of  constant  apprehension,  expectbg  an  attack  and  fear- 
ing  surprise.  The  perplexing  uncertainty  and  frequent  alarms 
to  which  they  were  exposed,  doubtless  tried  their  fortitude, 
putting  it  to  a  severer  test  than  the  dangers  of  active  and  open 
war.  In  the  latter,  there  are  excitements  and  incentives  which 
keep  up  the  spirits.  The  idea  of  ^  glory  "  strengthens  the  arm 
and  mtd^es  the  heart  courageous.  But  Indian  warfare  has  few 
attractions.  The  laurels  won  in  an  Indian  fight  are  not  many. 
A  wound  received  in  some  great  cwUised  battle  is  deemed 
honorable,  but  there  is  little  glory  in  being  scalped. 

After  the  peace  of  1713,  there  was  but  little  trouble  or  ap- 
prehension fnmi  tiiie  natives  for  several  years.  In  1720,  how- 
ever, hostilities  were  begim,  on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  on 
tlie  eastern  frontier  of  New  England,  when  Canso,  an  English 
settlement  in  Nova  Scotia,  was  attacked  and  several  of  its  in- 
habitants killed.  This  outrage  and  others  which  followed  led 
to  a  declaration  of  war  by  Massachusetts,  in  1722.  Connecti- 
cut was  invited  to  join  in  the  contest,  but  dec  lined.  She,  how- 
ever, au^reed  to  sen<l  a  small  force  to  protect  the  county  of 
Hampshire  from  threatenetl  attacks  from  the  north  and  took 
vigorous  measure  to  put  her  own  frontier  towns  in  a  posture 
of  defense.  In  the  new  town  of  LitchtieM,  a  nuin  (Capt.  Jacob 
Griswold)  was  captured  by  a  party  of  Intlians  and  carried  otf, 
but  he  made  his  escape  the  first  night.  Soon  after,  (Aug. 
1722,)  one  Joseph  Harris  was  murdered  near  the  place  where 
Griswold  was  taken.*  In  1724,  the  Assembly  gave  Water- 
bury  authority  to  employ  six  men  *^to  guard  y*  men  in 

•  ll«ffrto*»  SifttMlMl  Aoomut  «f  UtMM. 


\  Digitized  by 


HI8TOEY  OF  WATEKBUBY. 


109 


their  outfields  at  the  discreflaion  of  y*  commiflrion  officers  of 
sd.  Town."  The  authority  thus  given  was  exercised  for  about 
one  month. 

Though  danger  was  sometimes  apprehended,  the  early  col- 
onists of  this  State  did  not  suffer  much  from  the  resident  tribes 
of  Indians  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  Colony.  The  lat- 
ter, few  in  number,  were  generally  peaceful  and  friendly. 
They  may  sometimes  have  regarded  the  progress  of  the  M  liitos 
witli  jealousy  and  seriously  contemplated  liostilities ;  but,  as 
a  common  thing,  they  courted  their  alliance  and  gave  tliem 
kindly  assistance  in  extremity.  For  a  time,  they  regarik'd 
witli  satisfaction  the  growth  among  them  of  a  new  ]»ower 
Nvhicli  promised  to  protect  them  from  tlieir  dreaded  enemies 
and  o{>pre8sor8,  the  Mohawks  of  tlie  west,  to  whom  they  paid 
tribute. 

Still,  our  fathers  were  essentially  a  martial  people.  They 
loved  and  honored  a  militarv  life.  No  race  of  men  ever  lield 
in  higher  esteem  individual  bravery  and  strategical  skill. 
The  circnmstanceB  of  their  position  influenced  their  opinions. 
Tlie  wjirlike  virtues  were  to  them  a  necessity.  Tliey  were 
obliged  to  cultivate  them  for  their  own  protection ;  and  what- 
ever such  men  seriously  undertake  tliey  excel  in.  This  conti- 
nent never  could  have  been  settled  and  subdued  by  a  timid  or 
even  by  an  unmilitary  people.  There  was  a  demand  for  war- 
riors and  warriors  of  a  superior  order  came  forth.  The  early 
colonists  attained  the  same  excellence  in  the  Indian  fight  tliat 
Cromwell's  men  did  in  the  pitched  battle.  They  soon  became 
an  overmatch  for  the  most  warlike  of  their  enemies.  They 
beat  them  in  their  own  mode  of  carrying  on  a  contest  They 
fbught  for  their  firesides  and  their  existence.  They  prayed 
for  aid  to  the  God  of  Battles;  but  they  did  not  despise  carnal 
weapons,  or  neglect  the  lessons  of  worldly  wisdom.  They  put 
their  trust  in  Providence ;  but  they  also  kept  their  powder 
dry. 

Militarv  titles  were  in  high  repute  among  the  colonists. 
Tliev  were  ])referred  to  civil  or  ecclesiastical  honors.  A  cor- 
poral was  on  till'  road  to  distinction.  His  office  was  occasion- 
ally, but  n<)t  usually,  attaclied  to  his  natne.  A  sergeant  had 
attained  distinctiou  and  his  title  was  never  omitted.    Au  eu- 


Digitized  by  Google 


110 


HI6T0KT  OF  WATERBURY. 


sign  or  a  lieutenant  was  lifted  quite  above  the  heads  of  his  fel- 
lows. A  captain  was  necessarily  a  man  of  great  influence, 
whose  opinion  was  taken  in  all  the  weighty  concerns  of  a 
town.  Few  aspired  to  the  exalted  rank  of  a  major.  It  was 
the  reward  of  the  most  distinguished  seryices.  Major  Talcott 
and  Major  Treat  were  rendered  illustrious  by  their  titles  as 
well  as  tlieir  achieyements. 

Tlie  drum  was  a  favorite  instniment  ainon*:;:  our  ancestors, 
and  Avas  put  to  many  uses.  It  answered  the  purpose  of  a 
town  1)L']1.  It  called  the  people  to  meeting  on  Sundays.  It 
siimnKined  them  to  the  fortified  lioiisos  at  nifrht.  It  «rave  tlie 
signal  tor  the  town  f^athorinf]^  on  public  business.  It  told  the 
people  when  to  turn  out  "to  burn  al)()Ut  the  comninu  fence.*' 

A  law  of  tbe  colony  at  the  time  of  and  after  the  settlement 
of  Mattatuck,  re([uired  that  "  all  white  male  persons,  from  the 
nc:o  of  sixteen  to  sixty  years,  exce})t  ma«i;istrates,  justices  of 
the  peace,  the  secretary,  church  oiticers,  allowed  physicians, 
chyrurgeons,  schoohiiastcrs,  representatives  or  deputies  for  the 
time  being,  one  miller  to  each  grist-mill,  constant  herdsmen 
and  mariners, sheriffs,  constables,  constant  ferrymen,  lame  per- 
sons, or  otherwise  disabled  in  Ijody,"  should  bear  arms  and  be 
subject  to  military  duty.  Six  days  yearly  were  deyoted  to 
martial  exercises,  and  a  guard  in  every  town,  in  no  case  of 
less  than  eight  soldiers,  was  required  to  be  maintained  on  the 
sabbath  and  other  days  of  public  worship.  This  guard,  how- 
ever, was  dispensed  with  in  1714,  there  no  longer  being  occa- 
sion for  it.*  The  law  also  provided,  that  eveiy  train  band  of 
sixty-four  soldiers  should  have  a  captain,  lieutenant,  ensign 
and  four  sei^ants — ^that  a  train  band  of  thirty-two  soldiers 
should  have  a  lieutenant,  ensign  and  two  sergeants,  and  that 
a  train  band  of  twenty-four  soldiers  should  "  have  but  two  ser- 
geants,'^ in  all  cases,  exclusive  of  officers. 

The  Mattatuck  settlers  probably  organized  themselves  into 
a  military  company  so  soon  as  tlicir  nundjers  warranted  this 
measm  e.  There  is  no  record  showing  this,  and  tliey  wore  not 
at  that  jtcriod  exjxised  to  the  attacks  of  an  enemy,  but  such 
was  the  custom  of  the  times.    As  early  as  16b2,they  had  two 


•  rield't  Middlesex  Count/. 


Digitized  by  Google 


UISTOBY  OF  WATEBBUBY. 


Ill 


sergeants  5n  the  persons  of  Tliomas  Jiidd,  Sen.  and  John  Stan- 
Icy.  (Those  individuals  at  that  date  were  so  denominated.) 
Tlicy  iinist  then  liave  numbered,  at  least,  twenty -four  soldiers 
besides  officers.  In  records  hearing  the  dates  of  1080,  1087, 
and  1088,  Judd  is,  in  a  few  instances,  called  ensign,  hut  these 
are  copied  records,  and  a  title  which  he  afterwards  boiv,  not 
found  in  the  original,  may  have  been  applied  to  him  negli- 
gently;  for,  it  will  he  observed,  he  is  repeatedly  st^'led  ser- 
geant during  the  years  mentioned. 

After  Andros'  usurpation  and  the  resumption  <»f  the  govern- 
ment under  the  charter  in  lOSD,  the  Waterhurv  train  bajid  was 
found  to  number,  at  least,  thirty-two  rank  and  tile  and  became 
entitled  to  a  higher  grade  of  officers.  It  was  then,  Oct.  1089, 
tliat  John  Stanley  was  appointed  and  confinned  by  the  Gene* 
ral  Court  as  lieutenant,  and  Thomas  Judd,  (Sen.,)  as  ensign. 
At  the  same  time,  Samuel  Hickox  (Sen.)  and  (probably)  Tim- 
othy Stanley  were  choeen  sergeants.  Isaac  Bronson  and  John 
Welton  were  the  corporals. 

After  Lieut.  Stanley's  removal  from  the  town  and  Sergeant 
Hickox^s  death,  both  about  1694-6,  Ensign  Judd  was  made 
lieutenant;  Sergeant  Timothy  Stanley,  ensign ;  Corporal  Isaac 
Bronson  and  (probably)  Dea.  Thomas  Judd,  sergeants.  Lieut. 
Judd  died  in  1702-3,  and  Ensign  Stanley  succeeded  him  in 
command  of  the  company,  while  Deacon  Thomas  Judd  was 
made  ensign.  These  continued  to  be  the  officers  till  1715, 
when  the  soldiers  of  the  company  numbered,  for  the  first 
time,  sixty-four,  and  from  this  circnmstance  were  allowed  to 
have  a  captain.  Lieut.  Thomas  Judd  (the  deacon)  was  pro> 
moted  to  this  high  position,  and  Ens.  John  Hopkins  was  ap- 
pointed lieutenant.  Tlie  next  captains  before  1732,  were,  suc- 
cessively, Dr.  Ephraim  Warner,  William  llicknxand  William 
Judtl.  In  1732,  the  company  was  divided  into  two  by  author- 
ity of  the  Assendjly.  William  Judd  and  Timothy  Hopkins 
appear  to  have  been  the  captains  in  that  year. 

But  <lurin«i^  the  period  to  which  the  precedini^  remar-ks  im- 
mediately reler,  Waterbury  suti'ered  severely  from  other  causes 
than  war.  In  Feb.,  1(101,  ha]>pened  the  (Jreat  Flood,  so 
calle<l.  ()\vin<T  to  rains  and  the  sudden  melting  of  the  snow;!, 
the  river  left  its  banks  and  covered  the  meadows,  rising  to  a 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


Google 


112 


BiaiOBT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


height  never  known  before  or  since.  Tlic  water  flowed  along 
the  low  ground  back  of  the  house  of  Mi-s.  Giles  Ives,  and  sub- 
mer/2jed  a  portion  of  tlie  Green  which  ig  in  front  of  the  Epis- 
copal Church.  Great  damage  was  done  to  the  river  lands 
and  sore  distress  was  tlic  consequence.  A  large  proportion 
had  been  recently  plowed,  while  the  surface  had  been  loosened 
and  softened  by  ^e  rains  and  the  coming  out  of  the  frost 
As  a  consequence,  the  soil  was  wholly  washed  away  in  many 
places,  while  that  which  remained  was  covered  with  sand  and 
stones,  l^us  the  suffering  inhabitants  saw  their  labors  come 
to  naught  Their  best  hmds  were  almost  mined  and  their 
hopes  for  the  present  blasted.  This  dreadful  calamity  was  the 
cause  of  great  discouragement  Many  forsook  the  place  in 
despair. 

We  have  recently  had  examples  of  what  the  Naugatuck  can 
do  in  freshet- time.  On  the  13th  day  of  November,  1853,  there 
came  down  the  valley,  on  short  notice,  such  a  body  of  water 
as  had  not  been  seen  by  the  oldest  persons  living'.  Those  not 
ac(piaiiited  witli  the  ancient  })ert'orniance6  of  our  usually  «piiet 
and  orderly  river,  were  astonished  and  in  some  instances  dis- 
mayed. Sonieof  the  manufacturin«^  coni]»anit's  sufiered  <xi'eatly 
from  the  wushin<)^  away  of  their  race-way  embankments. 
Bridi^es  were  carried  off,  and  in  Derby  (Ansonia)  some  persons 
were  drowned  who  happened  to  be  crossing  a  loot-bridge  at 
the  time  it  •;ave  way. 

On  the  thirteenth  of  April,  1S54,  there  was  another  great 
flood,  the  water  rising  in  Waterbury  within  eighteen  inches 
as  high  as  in  tlie  previous  November.  At  Derby,  owing  to  a 
greater  freshet  in  the  Housatonic,  the  water  was  highest  in 
April. 

The  most  recent  of  the  great  floods,  previous  to  the  two  last, 
occurred  in  1801. 

One  reason,  doubtless,  why  the  floods  of  the  Naugatuck  do 
less  damage  now-a-days  than  formerly  to  the  meadows  upon 
its  banlcs,  is  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  trees  and  bushes  which 
once  obstructed  ti^e  current,  forcing  the  water  out  of  its  natu- 
ral course  and  throwing  it  into  eddies,  have  been  removed.  It 
is  when  water  is  resisted  by  a  barrier,  or  is  fretted  continually 
by  obstacles,  that  it  becomes  such  a  terrific  physical  agent 


Digitized  by 


Digitized  by  Google 


UlbTOBY  UF  WATKRBUEY.  113 

In  October,  1712,  a  greftt  sickness,  mortal  bejond  example 
in  the  previons  history  of  the  town,  broke  ont   It  raged  until 

September,  1713,  carrying  off,  in  eleven  months,  more  than 
one  tenth  of  the  population.  It  was  known  afterwards,  for  a 
long  time, as  the  Great  Sickness.  TheM  ell  were  not  numerous 
enough  to  take  cure  of  the  sick  and  bury  the  dead.  Several 
families  lost  three  of  their  nund)er,  and  several  others  two. 
Of  the  twenty-one  victims,  (ten  of  them  heads  of  families,) 
seven  died  between  the  sixth  and  tweuty-lirst  of  March, 
1712-13. 


CHAPTER  X. 

BACHELOR  FROPBIETOR& 

By  reason  of  the  Indian  wars,  the  great  flood,  the  great  sick- 
ness and  other  causes  incident  to  a  new  and  feeble  settlement, 
in  want  of  almost  every  tlunix,  to  say  nothing  of  a  laborious  and 
niggardly  agriculture,  Waterbury  did  not  floorish  for  a  long 
time  after  its  settlement.  The  population  was  as  great  (if  not 
greater)  in  1685  or  1686,  eight  or  nine  years  after  the  planters 
left  their  Farmington  homes,  as  at  any  time  during  the  first 
Ihirty-fiye  years.  It  was  at  the  period  first  named  that  thepro- 
prietozs,  who  had  secured  their  rights,  began  to  remoye  from 
the  town.  Joseph  Hickox  led  the  way,  setting  a  veiy  bad  ex- 
ample. He  may  have  been  deficient  in  ^'backbone.''  He 
was  in  Woodbury  early  in  1686.  He  died  there  the  next  year, 
his  being  the  first  death  among  the  old  proprietors.  In  1687, 
Thomas  Haneox  sold  hJs  house  and  returned  to  Farmington. 
8oon  after,  Beojamin  Jones  removed  to  Kew  Haven  and  died 
in  1689.  Thomas  Newell  disappeared  in  1690,  going  back  to 

8 


Digitized  by  Google 


114 


UI0TOST  OF  WATEBBUBY. 


Farmington.  Samuel  Scott  followed  him  in  the  same  year,  or 
the  year  after.  John  Newell  and  Jolm  Stanley  turned  their 
footsteps  in  the  same  direction,  the  first  in  1C94,  the  last  early 
in  161)5.  Stanley  was  a  prominent  and  most  intlnential  man, 
but  not,  it  seems,  of  the  iron  moultl  re(|uirc'd  for  the  valley  of 
the  Naugatuck.  His  defection  was  much  regretted  John 
Scovill  went  off  in  and  brought  up  in  Iladdam.  John 
Warner  stuck  by  till  about  1703,  when  he  too  gave  uj)  and 
weut  back  to  Farmington.  Joseph  Gaylord's  courage  liehl  out 
till  1707,  when  he  followed  his  sons  to  Durham.  Thomas 
Judd,  Jr.,  town  clerk  and  school  master,  whom  the  j)eople  de- 
lighted to  honor,  persevered  in  a  course  of  well-doing  till  1709, 
when,  for  some  reason  unknown  to  the  writer,  he  removed  to 
Hartford,  (now  "West  Hartford.)  He  was  the  last  of  the  old 
proprietora  of  Waterbury  who  thought  it  their  duty  or  for 
their  interest  to  leave  their  brethren  in  the  hour  of  darkness 
and  peril.  They  numbered  eleven  in  all.  One  only,  Bichard 
Porter,  went  away  at  a  later  period.  All  the  others  continued 
at  their  poets  and  laid  their  hones  in  the  town  they  had 
founded. 

Daring  the  period  of  gloom  ahont  which  I  have  been  writ- 
ing, nianj  of  the  proprietors  who  remained  were  removed  by 
death.  The  first  who  died  was  Robert  Porter,  the  second, 
Philip  Jndd,  both  in  1689.  The  next  was  John  Carrington,  in 
1690.  Edmund  Scott,  Sen.,  died  in  1691 ;  Abraham  Andruss, 
(cooper,)  in  1693;  Samuel  Hickox,  a  leading  man,  in  1694; 
John  Bronson,  in  1696 ;  Jeremiah  Peck,  the  first  minister,  in 
1699 ;  Obadiah  Bichards,  late  in  1702  ;  Thomas  Judd,  Sen., 
second  to  none  as  a  man  of  character,  early  in  1708 ;  Thomas 
Richason,  in  1712.  There  were  ten  in  all,  which  number, 
added  to  the  eleven  that  removed,  makes  twenty-one  of  the 
original  proprietors  who  had  di.saj)i)eared  in  1713,  leaving  hf- 
tecn  who  were  still  living  in  Waterbur}'  at  that  time. 

It  has  been  often  remarked  that  sickness  and  mortality  are 
greater  in  the  tirst  years  of  a  settlement  than  at  a  later  period. 
AVliile  the  tirst  generation  is  short-lived,  the  second  or  third  is 
often  distinguished  by  unusual  longevity.  These  facts  arc 
illustrated  in  tlie  history  of  Waterbury.   Its  early  inhabitants. 


Digitized  by  Google 


UISTOEY  OF  WATEBBDBY. 


115 


in  too  manj  instaDcea,  died  jonng,  while  its  later  population 
is  Bomewhat  remarkable  for  instances  of  old  age.* 

Besides  the  losses  referred  to,  there  were  many  young  men, 
sons  of  proprietors,  who  either  died  or  removed  from  the  town 
during  the  period  in  question.  The  mortality  among  them 
■was  very  considerable.  Tlic  families  of  the  proprietors  who 
died,  in  many  cases,  left  the  i)lace.  This  was  the  fact  with 
the  entire  families  of  Philip  Judd,  John  Can  ington  and  Abra- 
ham Andruss,  2d,  and  parts  of  the  families  of  Samuel  lliekox, 
John  IJronson,  ()l)a(liah  Eichards  and  Thomas  llichason.  If 
aproj)rietor  removed,  lie,  as  a  general  rule,  took  all  his  near 
kindred  with  him ;  or  if  any  were  left,  they  did  not  stay  long. 
Tlius  the  names  of  Hancox,  Jones,  Newell,  Stanley,  and  Gay- 
lord,  became  extinct,  temporarily  or  pennanently. 

After  several  of  the  inhabitants  had  removed  from  the  town, 
and  the  young  men  had  manifested  an  inclination  to  follow 
tlie  example  on  account  of  the  gloomy  prospects  at  home,  the 
proprietors  began  to  inquire  what  the  emergency  demanded. 
Tliat  their  own  sons  should  threaten  to  leave  them  in  the 
m'uht  of  thei  r  tri  als,  was  the  sonrce  of  unaffected  grief.  Them , 
therefore,  they  thought  to  make  contented  by  more  liberal  of- 
fers of  certain  pecuniary  advantages.  They  resorted  to  the 
means  that  the  fathers  of  the  present  age  sometimes  employ, 
when  their  children  contract  roving  habits.  That  they  might 
stick  by  tlieir  sires  and  thus  manifest  their  attachment,  they 
gave  them  an  important  portion  of  their  estate.  In  a  proprie- 
tors' meeting  held  in  December,  1697,  the  proprietors  granted 
to  each  young  man  certain  lands  and  a  propriety  of  £40  in  the 
commons,  all  on  certain  conditions.  For  very  good  reasons, 
the  new  proprietors  were  not  to  have  a  voice  in  giving  away 
lands.  This  limitation  of  power  was  designed  to  prevent  them 
from  helping  themselves  too  liberally,  as  boys  are  wont  to  do, 
when  they  have  free  access  to  the  paternal  estate.  I  give  be- 
low an  exact  copy  of  the  record. 


*  The  oldat  p«raon  Uutt  hH  died  within  the  Umlte  of  andeot  Waterbary  «M  John  Bromon,  of 
Wotootl* vhe  deeewed  Ui  Nor.,  IMSi  afed  am  hnadred  ud  two  yeon  and  Oirce  oMBtlii.  Tho 
ll«rt«ld«it(who  died  to  present  Watorbwjr)  wu  Dsvid  Prichard,  who«e  death  toolc  place  Dec. 
S,  lISkAt  the  ife  of  one  hundred  and  OM  fwn  tkoA  aeren  aontha.  I  hnve  the  naoMa  of  alxty* 
tvoolbtnwtolutTodMwIIUBtlMltatfMortbooMlMraihIp  beimM  Ik*  afw  of  M  Md  Ida 


Digitized  by  Google 


IIG 


mSTOBY  OF  WATEEBUBT. 


Att  a  tnetting  of  y*  propriators  in  waferbary  december  2C*  ]69f. 

In  order  to  y*  getting  such  yong  men  y<  desire  to  settell  in  y*  town  y*  propri- 
ators frnint  to  each  one  y*  dcsircH  to  8»'tt«'ll  for  tlicir  iiiournpniont  or  accomada- 
tion  thirty  acn-H  of  upland  fiwain  [p]  and  hogoy  meadow  at*  uloliiu'ut  with  a  pro- 
priety in  y*  cuuiiuous  according  to  tbeyr  alotuient  with  a  lioug  lot  and  fouracrea 
for  n  putor  to  be  layd  out  to  them  by  y*  town  meeaorer  giuing  them  four  yeus 
to  build  a  tenantable  boos  not  len  than  ^teen  foota  equare  and  be  y*  takea  n|>  a 
lot  and  is  not  in  way  of  improuement  and  sliall  not  build  accordingly  shall  forfit 
his  lot  [;]  and  what  land  has  been  giuen  to  any  yonp  man  shall  be  accounted  as 
part  of  hia  lot  [;]  this  act  not  to  pregedes  former  grants  nor  highways  [;J  this  act 
to  bo  in  force  for  al  such  as  Hue  a  niongs  us  as  they  shall  com  of  age  and 
dedre  thispriuiledg  and  be  aeaepted  by  y*  propriatots  but  y«  priuiledg  of  acting  in 
giuing  away  land  we  do  not  give  them  [;]  this  alotment  to  be  deemed  a  forty 
pound  alotment  in  all  diuisions  and  so  to  have  theyr  propriety  in  y*  commons  and 
after  2  [altered  from  "4"]  years  each  alotment  to  be  deemed  ul  too  [altereil  from 
**4  "J  pounds  Estate  in  y*  bareing  town  charg:  for  4  years,  and  after  according  as 
they  improue  according  to  law  or  y*  appri»all  of  other  lands  in  j*  town  and  not 
to  make  sale  of  any  but  y*  improued  k  aubdned  but  if  any  dye  here  his  h^ 
to  poeee  hie  lands 

At  snbseqnent  meetiDgs,  certain  regnlations  were  establish- 
ed, designed  for  the  government  of  the  new  proprietors  in  the 
taking  up  of  their  lands,  6ic. 

Att  a  meeting  may  15:  1699  y*  propriators  granted  y«  vonp  men  liberty  to 
take  up  their  thirty  ucers  in  three  places  and  if  any  haue  perli(.  ulur  granti<  of  land 
to  haue  them  counted  in  y*  8t>  acres  and  not  to  hinder  tbcyr  pitches*  and  ho  y* 
has  had  8  pitches  to  haue  on  [one]  more. 

Deo  9S 1700  the  propriators  granted  tiiat  thos  yong  men  that  bdld  in  y  town 
plat  shall  haue  Ax  acera  for  a  pastor  not  takelng  it  where  it  would  do  for  a  houa 
lot  and  they  y*  go  out  ftirder  to  buiid  to  haue  four  aeers  for  a  hous  lot 

The  Toto  of  December,  1697,  laid  the  foundation  of  what 
were  afterwards  called  bachelor  rights  or  accommodations.  In 

order  the  more  effectnally  to  secure  its  objects,  and  to  constrain, 

if  possible,  those  wlio  took  advantage  of  it  to  remain  in  the 
town,  the  proprietors,  at  a  subsequent  period,  so  ahercd  its 
conditions  as  to  require  tlK'Sc  claiming  its  benefits  to  reside 
w  ith  tliem  iive  yeare  after  building  a  house.  This  is  the  sup- 
plementary act ; 

At  y«  same  meeting  [Feb.  22''.  1702-3]  y«  proprietors  look  up  y»  ohlifiation 
of  y*  yonp  men  for  £ubducing  and  clearing  as  in  y'  act  decenilx  r  ■Ji  *'  :  Itl'jT  :  and 
thos  y*  haue  now  built  according  to  sd  act  to  iu  habit  fiuc  yearii  from  thiri  day  and 


•  Tli«wordpils4ta  the  leeordMcowtobaatsd la  diaMOMor dMieaarlot.  Whcaapcr- 

943n  Belrcteft  bin  land  »n<l  brnipht  In  nn  ncroiint  of  It  to  thr  mca.'urer,  he  broupM  In  hlapMcll. 
Each  act  or  choke  by  which  he  •elected  a  ii-parate  tract  of  laod  was  a  dUtioct  pitch. 


Digitized  by  Google 


BSnOBT  OF  WATBBBUBT.  117 

thon  their  lands  bo  tlioir  own,  and  others  y'  arc  now  ar«epfod  on  hinlirMor^ 
accomoUutiooti,  and  hereaftor  shall  be  excepted  eball  build  acording  to  eaid  act 
Kiid  inbabit  live  yean  after  they  hauc  build  and  then  tbeir  binds  be  their  own. 

This  v(»te,  so  tar  juj  its  action  was  retrospective — so  lar  as  it 
atFected  those  '*  yong  men"  who  had  already  been  made  pro- 
prietors under  tlie  act  of  December,  1G07 — was  i)Uiinly  ille- 
gal ;  and  tlie  attempt  to  enforce  it  was  not  persisted  in. 

Hie  cufltom  of  giving  awaj  the  lands  of  the  town,  instead  of 
dispoeing  of  them  hy  division,  was  established  as  the  iixed 
policy  of  the  proprietors.  This  policy,  because,  probably,  of 
some  objection  made  to  it,  was  declared  in  a  vote,  as  follows: 

At  a  meeting  of  y«  proprietors  in  Waterbury  January  7lh  17o.V-<i  it  being 
Mated  whether  )-*  proprieton  would  dioido  theyr  commoni  according  to  parchase 
or  no  y  ooat  paat  in  j*  negitioe  7*  they  would  not  deuide  their  commons  but  in 
J*  second  uoatc  they  would  gie  away  their  land  to  perticobr  men  as  thej  see 
canse  or  as  tbejr  iudg  men  haae  need  of  it. 

But  notwithstanding  these  signal  proo6  of  liberality  and 
paternal  regard,  on  the  part  of  the  proprietors,  the  youngsters, 
in  too  many  cases,  would  not  remain  and  claim  their  lands  ;  or 
if  they  made  a  show  of  staying,  they  frequently  left  the  settle- 
ment when  they  had  resided  in  it  long  enough  to  make  sure  of 
their  bachelor  rights.  This  conduct  was  ungrateful,  nut  to  say 
provoking.  Considering  that  the  town  had  not,  at  this  time,  a 
single  able  bodied  man  to  spare,  one  is  tempted  to  call  it  cow- 
ardly. After  several  young  persons  had  removed,  under  the 
circumstances  named,  the  proprietors  in  meeting,  January, 
7th,  1705-6,  voted,  "  to  take  the  forfiture  of  all  the  lands  that 
was  given  to  Jos.  Gaylord,  Jun.,  Jnse]>h  Ilickox,  Abraliam 
Andruss,  Jr.  and  Benjamin  Warner  that  they  cant  hold  by  the 
records."  But  the  lands  given  to  these  persons  proved  to  be 
beyond  the  reach  of  the  givers,  for  their  names  were  continued 
as  proprietors. 

The  proprietors'  profuse  liberality  in  giving  away  their 
lands  and  their  marked  partiality  for  those  who  dwelt  among 
them,  caused  no  complaint  and  no  remark,  so  long  as  the 
lands  had  little  value— so  long  as  it  was  difficult  to  induce  men 
to  take  them  and  improre  them.  But  circumstances  changed. 
It  was  found,  in  process  of  time,  that  in  some  parts  of  the 
town,  there  were  richer  lands  than  those  first  taken  up.  After 


Digitized  by  Google 


118 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


the  peace  <>i'  1713,  the  population  began  to  increase.  The 
proepccts  for  real  estate"  materially  improved.  Then  it  was 
that  inquiries  began  to  Le  made  into  the  doings  of  proprietors. 
Self  interest  quickened  the  sense  of  right  and  justice.  Tliose 
that  had  not  participated  in  the  grants  niudc,  saw  distinctly 
the  grieyous  wrong  that  had  been  done.  Those  persons  that 
had  removed  from  the  town  found  that  the  proprietors  that 
remained  were  rapidly  stripping  them  of  their  estate^  passing 
it  over  to  others  without  consideration,  for  the  sole  purpose  of 
obtaining  permanent  settlers.  They  complained  as  men  would 
naturally  do.  They  disputed  the  legality  as  well  as  the  justice 
of  the  proceedings.  They  had  originally,  they  claimed,  an 
undivided  right  in  all  the  lands  of  Waterbury  which  they  had 
secured  by  purchase  and  deed,  which  right  had  been  put  be- 
yond a  doubt  by  the  town  patent.  What  they  had  fairly 
purchased  they  had  honestly  paid  for.  And  there  was  no 
equitable  or  lawful  mode,  they  contended,  by  which  this  com- 
mon proj)crty  could  be  disposed  of,  excei>t  by  divibion  among 
the  pro]jrietoi*s  according  to  ownership.  A  majority, they  said, 
had  no  power  to  bind  the  minority,  except  in  case  of  o<iual 
distribution.  Thev  furtliermore  conn)lained  that  thev  had  not 
been  warned  to  those  meetings  of  tlie  ])roprietors  wliich  liad 
made  the  extraordinary  grants  coin})hiinc'd  of.  I  copy  from  the 
records  Dca.  Stanley's  comnumication  j)rotesting  against  tlie 
obnoxious  grants.  There  is  i>ith  in  it,  when  the  crust  is  once 
penetrated  and  the  meaning  arrived  at : 

To  the  proprietor  Inhabitancc  of  Watcrburv  asseniblcfl  apiil  12-1715  hreth- 
rcn  andnatiours  I  the  subHoribcr  haucinp  to  prate  disatififuction  Obserucd  tlio  way 
of  your  giuitij;  or  granting  uway  of  laud  To  bring  in  iuhabitaucc  according  to  au 
act  made  for  that  purpos  upoa  record  desenibr,  20 — 1697  which  hath  a  detect 
tendeiuy  to  niaUte  and  destroy  and  conterary  to  right  ecquity  and  JiutiB  or  any 
wdl  digested  reion  to  iniudd  the  property  of  the  first  porchesars  i  soppose  it  to 
be  a  truth  not  to  be  gainsaycd  that  Those  that  were  the  first  purchesurs  of  the 
land  witliit)  the  township  did  thereby  nqacrc  a  right  according  to  the  proportion 
of  what  payineiit.s  they  made  l>y  order  of  the  Cotuity  for  the  setling  of  the  place 
and  the  uriicleti  tUcy  fuUlillcd  and  to  be  subdiuided  as  is  at  large  comprised  in  the 
pattin  [patent]  to  the  then  propriatwr  inbabitano  and  their  heirs.  I  hane  no 
where  seen  that  the  antient  propriators  did  Iropower  the  mager  part  by  uoat  to 
giue  the  land  at  their  plesuro— the  receiued  prinsipie  I  perceaue  if  I  mestalce  not 
is  that  the  inajer  parte  of  the  propriatorn  in  eomon  may  by  uoat  when  apot^ed  by 
the  iiiituT  frine  away  from  the  miner  when  and  aa  they  pleas — that  which  i.s  con- 
M'tjueni  upon  it  in  that  the  tuajer  may  combicn  and  giue  it  all  to  and  amongst  them 


Digitized  by  Google 


BIBIOXT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


119 


Bcives  so  that  the  miner  shall  haue  nither  land  nor  comonig  [commoniag]  *  * 
•  •  •  for  my  own  put  to  my  beat  remombnuiM  I  hftvo  nouer  booi  warned 
to  any  proprbtory  meeting  or'nt  the  making  a*  aet  In  1699  beanre  I  waa  not  there 

to  niy  knowUdgc — others  haue  not  been  warned  aa  they  haue  told  [me]  bnt  upon 
the  wholo  i  take  this  opertunity  to  declare  and  protest  apanst  the  propriatora 
prosodinp;  any  fiither  in  piuinp  [or]  pruntinir  any  more  in  [nccordunco]  with  sd 
act  to  any  purticolure  person  ur  per^ouis  and  altio  i  do  protest  aganst  all  the  grants 
that  haue  been  made  aoeordlng  to  ad  act  to  make  proprietor  inhaMtanee  I  bane 
here  unto  aett  my  hand  aa  one  of  the  patentese  and  one  of  the  llrat  propriatora 
and  wore  posesed  of  one  hundred  pound  right  of  my  own  and  by  distrbution  of 
John  [newel'H]  estate  all  hia  right  in  the  outlanda  fell  to  me  pray  let  there  be  no 
strife  between  us  [&cj. 

JoiiM  Sta>dley 

witneia 

Jeremiah  peck 
Thomaa  Clark. 

At  the  same  meeting  at  which  John  Stanley^e  protest  was 
presented,  the  proprietors,  as  if  to  fortify  themselves  in  what 
they  had  done,  and  to  make  sure  the  grants,  passed  a  vote 
wliich  U  recorded  as  follows : 

It  was  inactod  by  voat  that  the  land  formerly  piuen  to  the  bachcldors*  Khsill  l>o 
tlicr  one  [ownj  exticpting  thos  that  haue  not  fulUild  the  conditions  nor  like  to 
fulfill  them 

We  agree  that  all  the  granta  of  knd  formeriy  ginen  by  the  town  and  propria- 
tora ahall  atand  good 

At  the  same  time  tliat  this  confirmatory  act  was  passed, 
another,  quite  remarkable  in  some  of  its  j)articulars,  was 
voted.  It  appears  to  have  heon  aimed  at  the  bachehH-s.  It 
tattempted  to  break  faith  witli  them  by  cutting  them  off  from 
future  divisions  of  land;  and  must  have  been  without  any 
binding  force.  On  account  of  its  objectionable  features,  the 
act  was  repealed  in  tbe  following  December.  At  the  same 
time,  a  division  of  land  was  agreed  upon,  in  which  each  orig- 
inal proprietor  having  a  £100  right  was  to  have  eighty  acres 
and  others  in  proportion,  and  each  bachelor  proprietor  thirty 
acres.  Eight  acres  of  it  might  be  taken  np  in  the  sequester- 


*  Tlu-  reader  will  understand  that  the  bachelor  proprietors  were  not  all  literal  bachelors. 
Thejr  irer«  men  of  dUTermt  ages,  auirrlwl  and  anmarried,  who  applied  for  tbe  privileges  fraat- 
«4  In  th«  aeto  of  IMT  aad  ITDM  and  vara  accepted  b7  the  proprlHori .  Tbtj  were,  htm- 
ert>r,  all  what  may  ba  eallad  joang  men,  though  a  few  may  have  been  over  thirty.  In  a  few  In- 
•tancw,  persons  under  twaaty^ooa  jcara  of  aga  ware  admitted  aa  bachelor  proprietor*  with  tba 
oadaratandlog  that  they  waf«  to  ten  ftre  jeara  after  thay  cama  of  age  to  tetflU  the  aoadl- 
tlaaa. 


Digitized  by  Google 


120 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATKBBUBT. 


*  ed  land.  The  lot  appears  to  have  been  drawn  Bee.  ISth,  1715, 
and  as  a  pacifying  measure,  apparently,  "it  was  agreed  that 
Dea.  John  Stanley*  should  have  the  first  lot  for  John  NewePs 
lor,"  of  which  he  was  the  ^wiicr.  John  Southmayd,  ns  a  cmn- 
pliment,  was  to  have  the  second  lot.  There  are,  on  tlie  lij^t  of 
1715,  thirty-six  original  and  lifty-two  bachelor  proprietors. 

A  propritora  meting  in  Wnterbury  desmbr  the  20  1716  and  it  was  acted  by 
voat  that  the  yonp;  propriatorn  shiill  be  rcoordod  in  Uio  2  toud  book  of  rei-orda 
with  the  proutttiaiU  or  cuuditioua  that  the  propriatoris  laid  ou  the  6d  bachelldor  elot* 
ments 

Dotr  Dtaidl  porter  and  Bdnum  Scott  did  protest  egeinst  the  act  of  tiie  yong 
proprifttote  beaing  their  hinds  Becorded  In  the  book  of  records 

Dr.  Porter  was  soniewlmt  in  tlie  way  of  protesting  in  pro- 
prietor's meeting.  Tlie  ditiieulty  in  his  ease  seems  to  have 
arisen  from  his  haviiii:;  no  s<»ns  yet  old  enough  to  be  admitted 
as  bachelor  proprietors,  lie  had  therefore  not  been  benetited 
but  injured  by  the  proceedings  relating  to  tliem.  He  had 
afterwards,  however,  a  son  wlio  was  admitted. 

On  the  seventli  day  of  February,  17'2<>-1,  a  committee  was 
aj)pf)inted  "to  sarch  the  records  and  tinde  out  what  bachelui-s 
haue  fulliled  articles  and  whoo  haue  not  fulfiled  articles  and 
mackc  returns  to  the  propriators."  A  report  was  made  to  a 
meeting  held  the  next  day,  as  follows : 

We  being  apoiated  a  cornetj  to  niacke  sarch  to  finde  out  who  ware  aduiited  upon 
boehuMers  seomedstlons  and  who  have  folilled  the  condetions  to  maeke  the  land 
thelre  owne  and  who  have  not  fUIfiled  the  articles— febeuary  8  1721 

Those  that  haue  fiilfiled 


William  hikeoz 

John  Gaylard 
Jo.«eph  Gayliird 
John  worner  nor 
thomaa  Riubaflou 
Jdm  Branson  ser 


Stephen  weUton 

Joseph  hikcox 
Robert  Scott 
John  Htohiison 
thoiuaH  hikcox 
Richard  wdton 
Benjamin  woraer 


nathanid  Bichason 
thomas  Mchards 


dauid  K-utt 
John  welton 


tlioso  nn  a 

■10  IKUIII 

•  proprialy 
when  we 
deuided 


*  Two  of  Dw.  8taal«7'b  Mas,  Joha  Stanley,  Jr.  sad  t&mmA  Staalej,  appear  to  haT«bc«B  a«. 

niltteri  as  bachelor  proprietor*  this  year,  their  natnr^  iippenrinp  In  tlit>  rllvlAlon.  John  Ftnnley, 
Jr.,  lived  In  Farmlngtoo.  I  am  anable  to  Aod  that  he  ever  lived  ia  Waterbury  after  bis  fatben' 
raiBAral  ta  1615.  SaniMl  BtaDlej  reiMed  la  Waterbary,  Irat  went  away  before  1TIS.  8o  far  aa 
It  app<?arii,  neither  of  them  could  have  l>cen  admitted  projirti  ti  rn  In  ac rnriliinc  w  ifh  the  rotci 
of  169?  aud  1702-3,  and  neitber  coold  bare  complied  with  tbe  couditloo*  of  tbose  votes.  I  aos- 
peot  Ibe  M  proprietlaa  wars  ttreo  then  by  special  Toto  and  nnoondlUoaallr,  or  on  aaay  eon< 
dMoM,  far  tiM  paipoM  of  rsaoTinf  lbs  tbtbcr'adlaeootsatmaat. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HX8TOBT  OF  WATEBBUXT. 


121 


Inac  Bnuuon  Ebenczer  Kichaeoa 

Eprim  worner  be^janiiii  Biobarda 

samaell  Stanndlj  thomas  Baras 

Herijntnin  Iliirti.t  jur  Stephen  hopkins 

tlioiiui.H  wclton  ottediah  scott 

Jo;iepb  BruuttOD  ebonezer  brunsoa 

Stepen  xibson  jur  thonias  dark 


John  banui 
tbomas  broiMon 
Joaeph  kw«s 


obediah  richards 
abrahan  andnis  jnr 


Those  adiuitcd  that  haue  nut  I'ultiled  but  in  a  likely  way 


Jolin  scouell  timothy  standly  8cr 

JoualLan  scott  jur  timothy  hopkiiu 


thomas  andrus 
benjamin  worner  jur 
samucll  porU-r 
Ebeneaer  lUkcoz 


JonB  alandly  jur  gorg  aoott  jur 

wilBani  Judd  Jolm  hikooz 

daniaa  porter  jur  .  aamoall  acott 

John  Jndd  thomaa  abaon 

Thoaa  that  ham  not  fhUUed  as  we  Jndg 

wUliam  gaylord  atephen  hihcoz 

John  womar  taOer  mosea  bmnaon 


John  Biebardajor 
govg  velton 


daniel  porter  aon  of 
richard 


Tfanotb  J  atendly  \ 

John  Iloi'txin-^    V  comet  J 

Thomaa  Judd  ) 


Atamcatinp:  of  the  propriatora  of  waterbury  febeuary  S  1721  they  agre  by  note 
to  azaepte  y*  return  of  the  comety  and  order  it  to  be  entered  upon  record 

Thus,  thir^-eiglit  persons  were  reported  as  having  '*fal- 
filed**  the  articles,  eighteen  as  '*in  a  likely  way  to  fnlfil," 
and  five  as  having  <*not  fhlfiled.**  The  last,  of  coaise,  had 
forfeited  their  rights.  The  eighteen  who  were  in  a  likely 
way,"  were  yet,  I  conclude,  on  probation,  their  five  years  not 
having  expired.  They  all  finally  secured  their  rights. 

February  8th,  1720-1,  there  was  a  renewed  attempt  to  make 
a  considerablo  addition  to  the  propriety  rights  of  the  old 
proprietors,  and  to  increase  their  proportional  interest  in  the 
undivided  lands,  tlius  counteractiug,  as  far  as  miglit  be,  -what 
had  been  done  for  tlie  bachelors.  A  veto  was  passed  aui^- 
inenting  the  proprieties  of  the  oriiriiiul  propriet(»rs ;  but  they 
were  to  Bubinit  to  tlie  conditions  of  the  acts  of  U>1)7  and 
1702-3,  as  to  buildings  c^-c.  ;  and  what  their  eons  had  received 
was  to  go  towards  tlie  increase.  But  it  was  not  satisfactory 
on  account  of  the  restrictions,  aud  a  year  afterwards  a  modi- 
fied vote  was  carried : 

February  28* >>,  1721-2  It  was  agreed  upon  by  Tote  that  where  m  u  Act  la 
February  8*^,  1121  [altered  from  1720]  wae  grerious  to  loiiie  of  onr  propcieton 


Digitized  by  Google 


122 


HI8T0BY  OF  WATKfiBUAY. 


m  naw  Further  Agree  that  Every  original  proprietor  or  propriety  Shall  haT«  two 
baeheldor  Lota  npon  aa  baodred  pound  propriety  and  proportionally  upon  Greater 
and  lesser  proprietyes  with  what  was  Granted  Last  February  DOtwIthatanding 

what  their  sons  have  had  which  bacliddor  Lott  Is  Looked  upon  to  he  now  68 
Acres  And  a  forty  pound  propriety  And  Jlie  OhUfiation  upon  those  (Jraiited  In 
February  8'^  1721  [altered  trum  172uj  and  now  Granted  to  be  taken  oil'  And  be 
fipoe  from  Any  Incambemnee  of  building  and  cohatntiog.  And  tbe  Grant  to  the 
Bacbeldors  that  were  admlted  upon  a  forty  pound  propriety  that  they  Shall  hare 
as  a  Dividon  of  fifty  five  Acres  to  EtOIJ  baeheldor  that  has  fullfilled  Articles^  or 
In  Away  to  fiitlfitl  articles  aa  they  are  returned  by  A  Coniniitty  Ap{>uiiit(  <1  for 
February  and  Recorded  in  the  old  proprietors  Book,  and  for  the  future  <uir  Dc- 
viMOUH  tiliull  Ik;  utado  upon  Original  proprietors  with  the  udditiun  nuide  to  their 
propriety  and  upon  baeheldor  proprietors  According  to  their  propriety  And  It  ia 
tbe  true  Intent  and  meaning  of  tbe  proprletore  In  this  act  and  Shidl  be  so  taken 
and  Explained  that  Every  original  propriety  of  one  hundred  pound  Bhall  have  two 
baeheldor  proprietyes  and  no  more  and  so  proportionably  for  Greater  or  Lesser 
proprieties  and  that  ail  Deviwions  of  uU  tmr  Lands  after  this  shall  lie  made  upon  the 
present  original  proprietor!)  and  baeheldor  proprietors  that  are  already  made 

Each  original  proprietor  of  £100  obtained  by  this  act  an 
immediate  addition  to  his  propriety  of  two  bachdor  accommo- 
dations, amounting  to  £80,  carry  ing  with  them  the  divisions 
which  had  already  been  made  to  the  bachelors.  Others  were 
favorod,  in  like  manner,  according  to  their  existing  interests, 
the  addition  being  ahva)  b  eighty  per  cent  of  the  original  pro- 
priety. Thenceforth,  the  vote  declarod,  lands  should  be  dis- 
posed of  by  division  and  the  divisions  ehonld  be  according  to 
interest.  Thns  the  system  of  unequal  distribution  and  special 
grants,  with  its  abuses,  was  put  an  end  to. 

By  tar  the  largest  proportion  of  the  bachelor  proprietors 
were  sons  of  the  original  proprietors.  About  nine  were  grand- 
sons. Tlie  remainder,  two  only,  Josepli  Lewis  and  Thomas 
Clark,  came  from  other  towns.  The  last  was  the  adopted  son 
of  Timothy  Stanley.  Nearly  one  quarter  of  them  were  made 
proprietors,  in  KJlili ;  more  than  one  third  in  1715,  and  the  re- 
mainder, with  two  or  three  exceptions,  between  these  periods. 

The  proprietors  agreed,  Nov.  2Tth,  1722,  that  there  should 
be  reseryed,  for  the  nse  of  the  i)roprietor8,"  six  pi*opriety 
lots,  or  rights,  of  £40  each.  They  were  reseryed  to  meet  such 
contingencies  as  might  naturally  be  expected  to  arise.  It  was 
determined  that  they  should  have  all  the  divisions  which  had 
already  been  made  on  the  bachelor  lots,  except  the  eight  acres 
n  sequester,"  and  all  the  futnro  divisions.   On  the  28th  of 


Digitized  by  Google 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATBBBUET. 


128 


Nov.  1722,  one  of  these  lots  was  granted  to  Moses  Bronson. 
It  was  the  fifth  propriety  lot,  so  called,  and  had  been  formerlj 
given  to  Bronson  and  forft  itcd.  At  tlie  same  time,  the  fourth 
propriety  lot,  (which  had  belonged  to  Daniel  Porter,  the  son  of 
Richard,  and  been  forfeited  by  him,)  was  granted  to  John  War- 
ner, son  of  Ephraim,  and  William  Scott.  The  other  four  lots, 
the  first,  second,  third,  and  sixth,  were  ordered,  Nov.  29th,  17i6, 
to  be  sold,  and  the  money  reserved  for  bnilding  a  new  meeting 
bouse.  Tkej  brought  £262.  These  six  lots  were  always  en- 
tered, in  the  record,  by  their  numbers.  To  the  fourth  and  fifth 
were  added  the  names  of  the  grantees  or  owners — ^thus,  "6th 
Propriety  Lott,  Moses  Bronson,"  Ac. 

There  were  some  persons  who  were  accepted  as  bachelor 
proprietors,  who  did  not  comply  with  the  conditions  and  who 
therefore  forfeited  their  rights.  I  give  their  names.  William 
Gaylord,  John  Warner,  "  tailor,"*  Stephen  Hickox,  Daniel 
Porter,  son  of  Richard,  Zachariah  Baldwin,  Jr.,  of  Milford,t 
Obadiah  Sco  \  ill,  Saumel  Warner  and  Moses  Bronson,  (after- 
wards re-admitted.) 

There  were^in  the  end,  six  forfeited  propriety  lots  that  re- 
mained in  the  hands  of  the  projirietor-s.  These  wore  tlie  six 
that  were  reserved,  in  1622,  "  for  the  nse  of  the  proprietors." 

On  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  November,  1T22,  a  list  was 
made  out  for  the  })iirjjr»&e  of  a  land  division,  containing  tlie 
names  of  the  original  and  bachelor  proprietors.  It  is  the  tirst 
complete  list  to  be  found  on  record.  We  find  here  thirty-six 
original  and  tifty-seven  bachelor  proprietors,  the  lirst  having, 
unitedly,  £3,165,  and  the  bust,  £2,280,  propriety.  If  we  add 
to  these  the  six  propriety  lots  of  £40  each,  the  school  lot 
of  £150  and  tlie  ministry  lot  of  £150,  granted  in  1715,  we 


*  On  tbe  elcTcatli  of  March,  ItiS-^,  Eb«neser  Warner,  Sd,  and  George  Nlchola  petitioned  th« 
prapffMonflwIliebMlMtor  rl^t  of  John  Warner  (Ullor)  which  they  claimed  to  hare  par- 
chs»e<l.  The  petition  wai  addressed  "  To  the  worahlpfull  Moderator  and  Gentlemen  Proprie- 
tor*.*' The  petitlonera  laid  claim  to  ail  the  landa  laid  out  on  Warner'*  lot— the  thirty-eight 
MTMftldMdstevr  U»a«e«plMMOm)-Htothlrtyaflni«rim<-aMflf^-flr«  MrworiTll-t 

—the  forty  ft/rre*  of  1723— th<>  forty  ncros  of  ITiT— the  thWy  »crr^  of  17J<?-0— "  the  ilxteen 
Acre«  and  twenty  rodn  in  the  village  soon  after;  In  the  wkolt  amounting  to  two  hundred  and 
tortir>BlB«  aeret  and  tvan^  fvdi.**  Tb«  ■wttlaf  votod   not  to  d«  MylUoff.*' 

t  BaUvIn  yra'i  n.<-r,-\,tt-ii  In  1710,  but  in  1713,  he  sold  all  his  ri;jht  and  title  of  land*  In  Wa- 
tvttaXf  Vith  his  badulor proprMy  and  all  the  ImprovemeutJ  which  he  had  made  "  with  the 
talldtag  aa4«tlMrtbnb«r,*'t»0«of|a  Scott,  aodNtomad  to  mfavd. 


Digitized  by  Google 


12^ 


HISTORY  OF  WATERBUBT. 


have  a  total  of  £5,985.  To  this  snmmnstbe  addedtiiemereaBe 
of  the  old  proprietor  and  school  allotmoiitB,  amomitiDg  to 
eighty  per  eent  (The  new  ministry  lot  did  not  have  the 
bachelor  addition.)  Add  this  increase  (£2,652)  to  the  former 
total,  (£5,985,)  and  we  have  a  grand  total  of  £8,G37.  On  this 
amount,  all  the  divisions  of  land  were  made  in  1722  and 
al'torwards. 

If  we  compare  the  list  of  original  proprietors  of  1722  with 
that  of  16SvS,  we  shall  oL^Jorve  several  changes  of  names  and 
a  few  additions.  Cai)t.  Thomas  Judd,  Wm.  (meaning  the 
son  of  William)  stands  in  the  place  of  Smith  Judd,  as  he 
wjLs  at  first  called,  Tliomas  Judd,  Jones,  is  substituted  for 
Benjamin  Jones.  Jolin  Judd  occupies  tlie  place  of  Ensign 
Judd.  Joseph  Ilickox,  John  Richards  and  Jonathan  Scott  stand 
in  the  places  of  Mr.  Jj'rayser,  Robert  Porter  and  Samuel  Scott. 
Abraham  Andruss,  cooper,  is  written  for  Abraham  Andruss, 
Jr.,  the  elder  Andmss  now  having  a  son  who  was  a  bachelor 
proprietor.  Mr.  Jeremiah  Peck  and  John  Southmayd  are  new 
names.  "  Timothy  Stanley,  original,"  is  thus  written  to  dis- 
tinguish his  original  from  his  bachelor  propriety.  With  these 
exceptions,  the  names  are  the  same  as  in  1688. 

Of  tlio  fifty-seven  bachelor  proprietors  on  the  catalogne  of 
1722,  the  name  of  one,  that  of  John  Stanley,  Jr.,*  is  sometimes 
omitted.  The  whole  number  of  proprietors,  original  and  bach- 
elor, counting  Stanley,  Jr.,  is  ninety-three.  Adding  the  six 
propriety  lots,  the  school  lot  and  the  ministry  lot  of  1715,  and 
we  have  one  hundred  and  one  proprieties  entitled  to  land 
divisions. 

I  copy  below  the  list  of  Nov.,  1722,  adding  to  the  name  of 
each  proprietor  the  amount  of  his  propriety  before  and  after 
the  bachelor  addition. 


*"£Hftrcb  111780-81]  IIwm  by  rote  Agreed  sod  Concluded  Uuit  thejr  [the  proprietor*] 
Look  upon  John  BtoadUei  Jar  Right  to  be  Oood  to  s  BadieldorLoaandlM  oogbt  to  hare  ft  noto 
for  hii  Lund  to  be  laid  out  and  he  Eagafced  that  the  Proprieten  tolgbtluttrolho  BgMacrw  Ib  Iht 
Sequeetor  to  be  Oiaposed  bj  them  a*  Du-y  8c«  CftUM." 

Ib  llMroh,  1757,  the  proprieton  again  passed  ft  ?«tote  flmr  9t  John  Stonlcy,  Jr'a  right  and 
dinetod  his  aasM  to  bo  added  to  tht  liet  of  proprioton. 


Digitized  by  Google 


UI6TOKT  OF  WAIBSBU&Y. 


125 


OBIOIVAL  PB0PBIST0B8. 


f 

& 

Abrabui  Andraas,  Sen.,  £  80 

AbnliminABAiiaa,Oooper,  100 

Benjamin  Barns,  Sen.,  100 

I^oac  BronsoD,  Sou.,  100 

John  BronsoD,  Sou.,  80 

John  Carrington,  60 

Joseph  Oaylord,  Sen.,  80 

Thomu  Biincox,  100 

Joseph  Hiekox,  Sen.,  60 

Samuel  Hukox,  S<  ii.,  Kk) 

Lieut.  John  iiupkiu^,  lUO 

John  Judd,  Sen.,  100 

Phittp  Jndd,  80 

CApt.  Thomaa  Jadd,  Wbl,  100 

Thomas  Judd,  Jonct,  100 

Tlioniiirt  Judd,  Jr.,  100 

John  Newell,  lOO 

Thomafl  Newell,  00 

Mr.  Jeremiah  Peck,  150 

Daniel  Porter,  Sen.,  96 

Ba 


£144 
180 

180 
18(t 
144 
108 
144 
180 
108 
180 
180 
180 
144 
180 
180 
180 
180 
162 
270 
111 


Richard  Porter,  60 

John  Richards,  Sen.,  80 

Obadiuh  Richards,  Sen.,  80 

Thoiima  RichiiHon,  50 

Edmund  Scott,  Son.,  100 

Edmund  Scott,  Jr.,  70 

Jonathan  Scott,  Sen.,  60 

Sohn  ScoTill,  Sen.,  80 

John  Southmayd,  160 

John  Stanley,  Son.,  loo 

Timothy  Stanlfv,  original,  loO 

Stephen  Upson,  Sea.,  50 

Daniel  Warner,  60 

Jolm  Warner,  Sen.,  90 

Thomas  Warner,  100 

John  Welton,  Sen.,  80 

A  Great  Lot  for  Schools,  1 50 
AGreatLottforthe]lfaiistr7,160 


HIIMRE 


B  Pbopbietors,  each  having  £40  propriety : 


.\hrahara  Andnua,  Jr. 
Thomas  Andrii'js, 
Betyamln  Barnes,  Jr., 
John  Baraea, 
Thomas  Bamee, 
Ebeneier  Bronaon, 
Isaac  Broneon,  Jr., 
John  Rroneon,  800  of  laaac, 
Joseph  Broufon, 
Thomas  Bronsoo, 
Thomas  darlt, 
Jolm  Gaylord, 
Joseph  Oaylord,  Jr., 
Ebonozer  Hickox, 
John  llickox, 
Joseph  Hiekox, 
Thomas  Hiekox, 


x:  a 

"  S 

js  2 

St  "O 

^1 

90 
144 

144 
90 
180 
126 
90 
144 
270 
180 
180 
90 
180 
168 
180 
144 

270 


William  llickox, 
Timothy  Hopkins, 
Stephen  Hopkins, 
John  Judd,  Jr., 
WilUam  Jadd,* 
Ju-'cph  Lewis, 

Daniel  Porter,  son  of  Daniel, 
Samuel  Porter, 
Benjamin  Ricliards, 
John  Richard«<,  Jr., 
Obadiah  Rioharda,  Jr., 
Thomas  Richards,  Sen., 
Ebcnezcr  Richason, 
Israel  Richason, 
Jolm  Richoson, 
Kfttluudel  Richaaon, 
Thomas  Richaaon,  Jr., 


•  Wnuam  ^odd,  aflw  int,  b  gMwatlj  «  Winiam  Judd,  tech.  loll,**  to  dMIagatah  hiai  prote' 
Mr,  flroM  tte  orlglaal  soteeriter    ttiat  aaaN  who  forTdted  aod  who  was  bis  iraadfyiMr^ 


Digitized  by  Google 


126 


mSTOKY  OF  WATKRBUBY. 


DaTid  Boott,  Samoel  Warner,  son  of  Thomas, 

George  Scott,  Son.,  George  Wclton, 

George  Scott,  Jr.,  John  Welton,  Jr., 

Joutithan  Scott,  Jr.,  Richard  Welton, 

Obadiah  Scott,  Stephen  Wclton, 

Robert  Scott,  Thomas  Welton, 
Bamnel  Seott, 

John  Scovill,  Jr.,  !•*  Ptroprlety  Lot, 

John  Stanley,  Jr.,  2^  Propriety  Lot, 

Samuel  Stanley,  8'  Propriety  Lot, 
Lieut.  Timothy  Stanley,  bachelor  lot,      4*^  Propriety  Lot,  \ 
Stephen  Upson,  Jr.,  John  Warner,  > 

Thomas  Upran,  WUliam  Scott,  ) 

Benjamin  Warner,  Sen.,  6'*"  Propriety  Lot,  > 
Benjamin  Warner,  Jr.,  Moses  Bronson,f  J 

Epliraim  Warner,  6     Proprietj  Lot. 
John  AVarner,  Sen.,*  bachelor  lot, 

In  the  early  liistory  of  Wiiterbury,  tlie  town,  for  cunven- 
ienco,  was  divided  in  four  sections.  Tiiat  part  of  it  lyinsr 
east  of  the  Naugutiick  Kiver  and  north  of  tlie  Farniington 
road  was  the  northeast  quartor.  That  part  situated  east  of 
the  river  and  sontli  of  said  road  was  the  south  east  quarter. 
Of  the  territory  west  of  tlie  river,  that  wliich  lay  north  of  the 
Woodbury  road  was  the  nortliwest  quarter,  and  that  south 
of  said  road  was  the  southwest  quarter.  When  deeds  were 
given,  the  quarter  in  which  the  land  lay  was  usually  named. 
There  was  a  land  measurer  for  each  quarter,  wliose  duty  it 
was  to  lay  out  the  land  within  his  territory.  Wlien  a  lot  was 
drawn  for  a  division,  a  certificate  or  note  was  given  by  the 
town  clerk  to  each  proprietor  or  claimant,  directed  to  the 
town  measurer,  authorizing  him  to  lay  out  on  a  certain  pro- 
priety right  and  to  the  person  to  whom  it  was  given,  the 
agreed  number  of  acres.  These  notes"  were  written  on 
small  pieces  of  paper  from  three  to  four  inches  square,  several 
of  which  are  now  in  my  possession ;  some  of  them  dating  as 
far  back  as  1723.  When  a  piece  of  land  was  found  which 
suited  the  holder,  which  was  often  not  till  the  lapse  of  many 
years,  he  got  it  measnred  and  indorsed  upon  the  paper.  There 

•  John  Warner,  Fen.  bachelor  Ir>t— The  Son.  \»  IntendH  to  c!l»tlnpil-<ih  him  from  "  John  War- 
ner, tailor,"  (aoD  of  Thomas,)  who  bad  been  made  a  bachelor  and  forfeited.  The  bachelor  lot 
clwnM««riiMUi*loiHdlittnotfr«aMorlcliMl  ptvprtolf  of  bto  tetlnr,  vhMi  !•  tlM  wrltt«tt 

John  Warin  r,  S-n. 

tTliU  name  U  omtUcd  In  the  subaequent  lists. 


4 


Digitized  by  Google 


III8TOEY  OF  WATEKBUUY. 


127 


must  be  many  af  tliese  eertificates,  given  for  the  later  land  di- 
YiBions,  still  outstanding  and  still  unsatisfied. 

After  1722,  the  land  diWsions  were  freqnent  In  1723,  one 
acre  on  £1  was  distributed,  (or  a  "  note  "  given  for  it ;)  in 
1727,  one  acre  ;  in  1730,  forty  acres,  one  rood,  and  ten  rods 
on  £100,  in  the  ^  iiortli  west  (Quarter;"  in  1738-1),  one  <|uai'ter 
of  one  acre  on  £1 ;  in  1747-S,  one  quarter  of  an  acre;  in  1751, 
one  half  an  acre  ;  in  17c)'J,  one  lialf  an  acre  on  £1,  and  five 
acres  "in  sc<|ueKter"  on  £100;  in  1780,  one  quarter  of  an 
acre  on  £1,  and  two  and  a  half  acres  on  £100  "  in  se(iue8ter  ;** 
in  171>2,  one  half  an  acre  on  £1,  and  two  and  a  half  acres  on 
£100;  ill  1802,  one  quarter  of  an  acre  on  £1.  Up  to  1745, 
there  liacl  been  two  hundred  and  forty-nine  acres  and  twenty 
rods  distributed  on  each  bachelor  propriety.  In  1780,  the 
number  liad  been  increased  to  four  hundred  and  eleven  acres 
and  twenty  rods.  From  this,  an  approximate  estimate  may  be 
made  of  the  quantity  of  land  received,  in  the  same  time,  by 
each  original  proprietor,  or  his  representatives. 

Before  the  incorporation  of  tlie  town,  the  land  grants  made 
'  by  tlie  proprietors  appear  to  have  been  ratified  by  the  grand 
committee.  Any  want  of  formality  on  the  part  of  the  pro- 
prietors would,  I  suppose,  have  been  corrected  by  this  subse- 
quent ratification.  But  after  Mattatnck  was  made  a  town, 
tilings  were  changed.  The  forms  of  law  must  be  observed,  in 
order  that  the  tities  to  lands  obtained  by  grant  or  division 
should  be  valid.  These  lands  were  parceled  out  at  public 
meetings.  These  meetings  are  called,  in  the  records,  some- 
times town  meetings,  at  other  times  proprietors'  meetings, 
^as  will  be  observed  from  the  record-extracts  which  have 
been  made  from  time  to  time.)  All  the  inhabitants  of  the 
place  took  part  in  them.  So  long  as  all  who  were  of  a  proper 
age  to  act  were  ]>roprietor8,  as  they  were  for  a  considerable 
time  after  the  settlement  was  begun,  the  evil  might  not  ho  se- 
rious of  a  town  meeting,  so  called,  undertaking  to  transact 
proprietors'  business.  But,  after  a  time,  the  case  was  ditier- 
ent.  Individuals  began  to  nuiko  their  appearance  who  owned 
no  right  in  the  undivided  lands.  At  first,  these  were  the 
grown  up  sons  of  projtrietors.  Tliey  all  met  in  town  meetings 
and  voted,  not  only  on  the  (questions  which  concerned  the 


Digitized  by  Google 


I 


128  HI8T0KY  OF  WATEIiBUBT. 

the  town  alone,  bnt  on  those  which  related  to  the  [>r(  >prietoi« 
alone.  Snch  questions  were  determined  by  a  major  yote. 
No  regard  was  had  to  the  inequality  of  rights.  He  who 
owned  £50  propriety  lm<l  one  vote,  he  wlio  owned  £100  had 
but  one,  and  he  who  owned  nothin^:^  liad  one.  After  the  with- 
dn\wal  of  tlie  committer,  there  was  no  power  at  hand  to  ratify 
proceedings  aiul  correct  mistakes.  How  h>ng  these  irregulari- 
ties were  continued,  1  am  not  quite  sure  ;  l)ut  tliere  ajtpears 
to  have  heen  no  be]»arate  record  of  town  meetings  ke])t  till 
December,  1008.  And  for  many  years  afterwards,  down  cer- 
tainly to  1713,  these  meetings  occasionally  granted  lands,  c^c. 
At  length,  the  error  became  manifest,  and  evil  results  were 
apprehended.  Men  perceived  tluit  tliey  held  their  lands  by 
an  insecure  tenure.  The  validity  of  claims  based  on  town 
grantg  and  town  action  was  denied.  Tlie  best  interests  of  so- 
ciety— those  interests  connected  with  the  security  of  landed 
property — ^were  put  in  jeopardy.  The  people  of  Waterbury 
were  not  alone  in  their  embarrassment.  Other  towns  had  un- 
consciously fallen  into  the  same  error.  In  gome  instanccB, 
proprietors  attempted  to  correct  the  mistake  by  ratifying  what  * 
the  towns  had  done.  It  would  not  do,  however,  and  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  was  at  length  called  on  to  interpose.  At  the 
May  session,  1723,  an  act  was  passed  validating  all  grants, 
divisions,  or  dispoeitionB  of  common  lands  made  according  to 
ancient  custom  in  town  meetings,"  whether  made  before,  or 
after,  the  towns  were  incorporated.  It  was,  at  the  same  time, 
enacted,  *'that  no  person  whatsoever  by  becoming  an  inhabit- 
ant of  a  town,  or  by  any  other  means  against  or  without  the 
consent  of  such  luopHetors,  shall  betaken  or  esteemed  to  have 
any  estate,  title,  right,  or  interest"  in  the  common  or  undi* 
vided  lands  of  any  towns.  It  was  also  enacted,  that  the  pro- 
prietors, in  their  meetings,  should  "have  full  power,  by  their 
major  votes,  to  be  reconed  according  to  their  interest  in  tho 
common  land,  to  regulate,  ijn|trove.  manage,  and  divide  sucli 
common  land,  in  such  manner  and  proportion  as  they  shall  see 
good." 


Digitized  by  Google 


1 


^  a  V 


■  / 


Digitized  by  Google 


■   


I 

Digitized  by  Google 


^7 


Digitized  by  Google 


* 


HIBTOSY  OF  WATEBCftY.  129 


CHAPTER  XL 

TERSONAL  NOTICES  OF  TUE  FIRST  SETTLERS  OF  WATBBBURT. 

Of  the  thirty-four  proprietors  of  Waterbury,  who  became 
settlers  before  16S8,  all,  except  four,  were  from  Faniiington. 
Abraham  Andnis^s,  Sen.,  was  fn^ii  Fairfield,  Joseph  Gnylord 
was  originally  from  AVindsor,  John  llopkins  from  Hartford 

and  Benjamin  Jones  from   .    Tliey  were  all  t'aiiners. 

Some  of  them  liad  trades — such  as  are  in  most  demand  in  new 
eettlement.s — to  which  they  devoted  a  part  of  tlieir  time,  par- 
ticularly wlien  the  weather  was  unfavorable  for  farm  work. 
There  were  among  them  a  few  men  of  substance  ;  but  gener- 
ally they  Avere  in  moderate  circumstances.  I^one  was  rich, 
none  yery  poor.  All  labored  with  their  hands.  As  to  family 
and  station,  they  were  from  the  great  middle  class  — that 
which  lies  at  the  foundation  of  society  and  which  per^ietuates 
the  race.*  Several  were  honorably,  or  rather  respectably^ 
connected,  but  there  were  no  patrician  families.  Kot  <.iic  of 
them  bore  a  name  which  was  particularly  distinguished  in  the 
early  history  of  the  colonics,  with  the  exception  of  Hopkins, 
the  town  miller;  and  he  is  not  known  to  liare  been  a  relation 
of  Gov.  Hopkins.  I  have  not  succeeded  very  well  in  tracing 
their  origin.  Farther  investigations  will  discover  more  facts, 
undoubtedly;  but  I  have  rarely  been  able  to  track  thera,  in  the 
aseending  line,  beyond  Hartford,  or  the  old  towns  of  Connec- 
ticut We  may  rest  assured,  however,  that  they  had  an  anti- 

•  Mr.  Hollifter,  in  his  History  of  Connecticut,  (Vol,  T,  Chapter  XX,)  ha»  tnken  some  pains 
to  abow  th*t  the  early  planters  of  the  Colonj  were  of  good  descent  end  belonged  to  the  better 
elMMSof  the  Bngllili  people.  In  a  certain  icbm  I  admit  thb.  Bat  HiheaM  be  remembered  that 
no  other  cluaes  leave  a  pcrmanrnt  posterity.  The  vile,  the  iliMolute,  the  Infirm,  the  thrift. 
IcM,  tboee  of  meaa  eodovments,  mental  and  bodiljr,  die  out  bjr  a  natmral  law,  leaving  few  im« 
mediate  and  no  remol*  daMMdanli.  They  perleb  tnm  want,  vloleiMa  and  liiteraal  rottenneM. 
Their  numbera  are  kept  good  only  by  accessions  from  without.  Comlnft  In  contact  with  a 
itroBger  and  better  race»  thn  are  orerron  and  disappear.  And  it  is  well  for  bumanlty  that 
Itli ao.  Thai, hf  as  tavliMlktolavflf  aaliire^'*llMbett«rclaaNa,*^ettt«"laBded  gentry  "ne. 
cwarBy^-bat  tlioM  of  mhumI  manUl,  aioral  and  bedliy  eonntitution— become  the  true  aad  ooly 
progeidton  «f  a  peopla.  That,  Ttrtat  oonqaeva  wi99,  aad  strength  oTeroomce  weakaeee. 

9 


Digitized  by  Google 


130 


HmOBT  OiF  WATKKBDBTi 


qnitj,  and  a  very  hoary  one  too.  I  have  not  consulted  books 
of  heraldry,  partly,  if  you  please,  becanse  I  expected  to  make 
no  discoveries  in  that  quarter.  I  do  not  suppose  the  ancestors 
of  the  Judds,  the  Hickozes,  the  Bronsons  and  the  Weltons 
ever  '*hore  arms;"  and  if  the  fact  were  otherwise,  it  would  not 
make  an  unworthy  descendant  respectable.  It  would  not  save 
him  from  the  pillory,  or  the  halter.  Those  who  are  ambitious 
for  coats  of  arms,  may  find  them  in  New  York,  on  sale,  cheaper 
than  broadcloth.* 

At  an  early  period,  there  was  a  law  of  the  colony  requiring 
marriages,  births  and  deaths  to  be  recorded  by  the  town  clerk, 
with  penalties  for  neglect  or  delay.  This  law,  however,  seems 
to  have  been  very  imperfectly  observed  in  Waterbnry.  Dur- 
ing John  Stanley's  clerkship,  no  record  of  these  things  was 
kept,  or  at  least,  none  has  been  preserved.  The  only  item  of 
the  kind  entered  by  him,  is  the  birth  of  his  son  Timothy,  in 

1689.  Tlionuis  Jiidd,  Jr.,  was  made  register  in  1696,  and  in 

1690,  he  appears  to  have  commenced  a  record  of  niarriiii^es, 
births  and  deatlis,  and  made  it  retrospective  to  some  extent. 
If  the  male  head  of  a  family  was  tiicn  living  in  Waterlmry,  he, 
in  some  cases,  gave  an  account  of  his  children  born  in  tlie 
town,  with  the  date,  and  in  a  few  instances  of  those  born  be- 
fore he  joined  the  settlement.  Thus,  in  tlie  case  of  Abraham 
Andrnss,  Sen's  children,  the  record  begins  with  tlie  birth 
(place  not  mentioned)  of  the  first  child,  in  1672;  while  in  the 
instance  of  Isaac  Bronson's  children,  it  commences  with  the 
fourth  child,  being  the  first  bom  in  Waterbury,  in  1680.  It  is 
impossible  to  discover  from  written  evidence,  the  date  of  the 
first  birth  from  European  parents  that  occurred  in  the  town; 
but  the  first  registered  birdi  was  that  of  Rebecca,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  Bichason,  April  27,  1679.  She  m.  John 
Warner,  son  of  John,  afterwards  a  deacon  of  the  Westbury 
church.  Richard,  son  of  John  and  Mary  Welton,  registered  by 


•  fliae*  til*  tbore  wai  wrlttm,  I  hxn  looM  tato  Biirk«*i  ■neyetop«41«  of  H«rSUrx,  (X<oad., 

1844.)  I  flml  tlirrc  t)i<-  rollowing  names,  (to  wit :)  Andrews,  Barnes,  Dranaon,  or  Braunson, 
C*nrington,  CUrk,  Hancock,  Uiccox,  Hopklna,  Jones,  Ju4d,  Levto,  MewcU,  Peek,  Porter,  &lch> 
•fde,  UdMrtMn,  Seoti,  Bottthnctd,  Stanley.  Upton,  Walton,  Waraer. 

lay  eoe  wlio  li  lotereated  in  thin  InforniHtlon  and  la  ont at  the  elbova  can  porsue  the  inqairf . 
It  may  be  he  wfD  find  aomctblng  ttiat  will  fit  him— a  **eoat"  en  wUch  are  MaaoBed  bla  for* 
gotten,  and  wMi  vUdi  he  aajr  coTer  kli  dlahonored,  *•  anoa.** 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0SY  OF  WATflBBUST. 


131 


Mr.  Southmavd,  was  born  "  svjitietime  in  March,  1G80."  If  this 
date  is  inteiuU'd  tor  1C8(»,  7\ew  tstyle^  as  it  probably  is,  Richard 
Weltoii  may  be  retrarded,  till  evidence  to  tlie  contrary  is 
shown,  as  the  first  male  child  born  in  the  Nan^atuck  Valley, 
above  j)i  rby.  Pamiljr  traditiou  concurs  with  the  iudicutious 
of  the  record. 

^larriagcs  in  olden  times  were  celebrated  by  the  governor, 
deputy  governor,  assistants,  or  commissioners.  Clergymen 
rarely  performed  the  ceremony  before  1700.  Baptisms  took 
place  a  few  days  after  birtli;  sometimes,  when  a  magistrate  or 
minister  lived  in  the  village,  ^immediately  after,'' as  the  old 
record  saith. 

Until  lOtin,  wills  were  probated  and  estates  settled  in  the 
Court  of  Magistrates.  At  this  date,  the  several  counties,  four 
in  number,  were  established,  and  this  business  was  given  to  the 
Ck>nnty  courts.  It  was  continued  in  these  courts  till  the  coun- 
ties were  divided  into  probate  districts.  Waterbuiy  at  first 
belonged  to  Hartford  County,  and  its  probate  businees  was 
done  in  the  County  Court  of  Hartford  till  1719.  At  this 
period  the  town  was  anzexed  to  the  district  of  Woodbury.  It 
.  thus  continued  till  1779,  when  theWaterbuiy  District  was  es- 
tablished. On  the  probate  record  of  Hartford,  Woodbury 
and  Waterbury,  I  have  been  obliged  to  rely  for  many  facts 
relating  to  the  early  settlers  of  Waterbury. 

ABRAHAX  ANDRUSS,  Snr. 

The  name  is  usually  spelled  Andrews,  though  rarely  or  never 
on  our  record,  lie  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Andrews,  who  re- 
moved tVom  II  art  lord  to  Bankside,  in  rairhcld,  and  who  liad 
four  sons — .John,  Abraham,  Jci'eniiah  and  Thomas — and  six 
daujihtcrs.    llis  will  bore  the  date  (»f  U)()2. 

Abraham  Andruss,  Sen.,  was  one  of  the  thirty  who  signed 
the  articles  of  1074.  lie  had  an  .i;SU  propriety,  and  was  among 
the  earliest  settlers  of  Mattatuck.  llis  name  is  on  all  tlie  lists 
of  those  who  had  early  divisions  of  fence.  He  and  Timothy 
Stanley  were  the  first  townsmen,  or  selectmen  of  the  town, 
they  being  spoken  of  as  holding  this  oftice  in  1681.  He  sub- 
sequently occupied  the  same  position  in  1690, 1692,1706,  1707, 
1711, 1716.  He  was  town  surveyor  in  1700  and  afterwards; 


Digitized  by  Google 


132 


UISTO&Y  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


a  deputy  to  the  General  Court  at  the  May  session,  in  1712; 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  agreement  to  pay  Mr.  Peck  £00  per 
year,  in  10S9,  and  a  fre(|uent  member  of  important  committees 
appointed  by  tlie  town  and  proprietors.  On  the  wli(»lejie  was 
a  man  of  considerable  note  among  the  first  settlers  of  Water- 
bury. 

Andrnss  had  a  *'  lionse  lot''  Nov.,  1(!87,  at  the  west  end  of 
tlie  vilhi«xo,  near  where  the  lute  Dr.  Jiueklev  lived.  It  wiis 
bounded  east  <>ii  JdIih  Welton,  west  on  '"a  great  lot,"  (the  cor- 
ner lot.)  Nothing  is  said  of  a  house.  The  lot  was  conveyed, 
April  18th,  1696,  to  David  Scott,  and  afterwards  to  Robert 
Scott,  Thomas  Judd,  Jr.  and  John  Southmayd.  There  is  no 
houae  mentioned  in  any  of  the  conveyances. 

January  SS*  168o  [?]  the  town  granted  to  abrabam  andnia  tenor  a  pete  of  land 
buting  on  y*  voSH  Bluer  and  on  eonunon  fenc  agansi  a*  andrwea  three  acre  loft 
prouided  it  do  not  pregedle  blgb  wayetand  he  build  a  honi  or  eet  op  a  tan  yard.* 

Tliis  lot  was  recorded  in  1687,  as  four  acres,  and  is  described 
aij  butting  north  on  the  common,  easterly  on  the  river,  south- 
erly on  the  common,  westerly  oti  the  tt>j>  ttf  the  hill.  "March 
10,  1704,"  it  was  again  recorded,  and  is  mentioned  as  contain- 
ing 8^  acres,  with  a  dwelling  house,  "  butting  south  on  the  com- 
mon fence,  north  and  west  on  the  liighway,  east  at  the  soutlieast 
corner  coming  to  the  river,  and  at  the  northeast  corner  falling 
four  rods  and  a  half  from  the  mill  river,  so  cattle  may  pass 
safely  over  the  river."  It  was  situated  below  the  mill,  imme- 
diately below  the  present  bridge,  on  the  west  side  of  the  river, 
bounding  on  the  river  at  the  lower  corner,  and  falling  four  and 
a  lialf  rods  from  it,  next  the  road  which  came  from  the  village. 
From  the  fact  that  a  tan-yard  is  mentioned  in  the  original  grant, 
it  is  probable  tliat  Andruss  was  a  tanner. 

In  1717-S,  when  it  became  necessary  to  provide  for  declin- 
ing years,  Andniss  conveyed  to  his  youngest  son,  Tliomas, 
lands,  &c.,  as  follows — (the  deed  is  signed  bj  a  mark,  and  bears 
the  date  of  January  4th,  1717)  : 


*  But  few  of  the  land  i\l\n  of  the  flrct  propflrton  of  Watcrbury,  acqnired  in  the  flrat  ycurs  of 
Ibe  tettleuMDi,  cut  be  traced  to  apeclflc  granli  froaa  tbe  Oolooj'a  comBlttMi  or  the  propdeton, 
ortolaoddtTMoaa,or  toanjoMMTTalld  Moret.  Thto  to  paitMlaitr  OM  flMt  vttfi  tba  houa 
lota.  Tho»e  of  the  pretcnt  genpratlon  who  hold  the  landl  niWfd  lO  ■MMt  nljrtertlM  |00d- 
MM  o(  Uielr  UtUa  oo  tbe  T»Udatlag  acU  of  tbe  AmmMj, 


Digitized  by  (^pgle 


HinOBT  OV  WATKBBUBT. 


133 


For  and  in  concediration  of  my  son  thumaa  andrus  who  now  Uvea  with  me 
tacking  the  care  of  my  eelf  and  my  wife  while  wt  ftn  iibIm  my  wife  should  be 
left  by  me  and  mary  agidn  and  flndinf  of  nawilh  a  ratable  and  comfortable  main- 
tenance and  tacking  the  whole  care  of  U8  both  while  we  live  both  In  dzDCS  and  in 
lielth  nnd  for  the  loue  and  good  will  whii  h  I  do  hare  townrd-^  my  son  thoniJiH  •  • 
•  I  fjiuo  him  the  whole  of  tiiy  toamo  and  all  the  tiickliiig  tlu  rc  unto  btloiigiiif; 
both  uf  Iron  and  wood  and  all  tools  that  I  have  that  in  uetMiry  to  currjr  on  hus- 
bandry wolic  •  *  •  •  I  give  onto  my  son  thomaa  all  the  landa  I  stand 
poeett  of  within  the  bovnda  of  Waterbnry  with  the  balding  fencfaig  orcharding 
tbare  to  belonging  and  the  whole  of  mj  propriety  in  the  undeuided  lond  he  to 
tacke  poMsion  of  the  one  half  now  and  the  other  half  at  my  deceas  [&c.J 

When  the  new  meeting  house  was  seated,  in  1729,  "  Good- 
man Androfls  and  his  wife"  were  placed  in  the  seat  next  the 
pulpit,  on  the  west  side,  opposite  the  minister,  this  high  posi- 
tion being  due  to  their  age  and  worth.  But  the  poor  man 
died  soon  after,  or  before  December  of  the  Fame  year,  lie  being 
the  kust  (who  settled  in  Waterbnry)  of  the  original  thirty  sub- 
scribers. His  inventory,  taken  in  Dec.,  1731,  amounted  to 
£30,  158. 

Abraham  Andruts  married  licbecca,  a  daughter  of  John 
Carriugton,  also  an  original  proprietor.  Their  children  were : — 

1.  Rebecca;  born  Dec.  16,  1672;  nmrricd  about  169C,  Wiinam  Hickox. 

2.  M;iry  ;  b.  March  10, 1674-6;  m.  April,  1693,  Daniel  Wanier,  aon  of  Daniel 

Warner  of  Fariiiington. 

3.  llaunuh  ;  b.  Sep.  8,  1678;  ni.  ''Zopher  Xorthrup." 

4.  Abraham ;  b.  Oet  14,  16S0.  He  wai  admitted  aa  a  bachelor  proprietor 
March  IS,  1701 ;  m*  Not.  6, 1702,  Hannah,  daaghter  of  Thomaa  Stephens  of  Mid- 

dletown,  by  wlumi  he  had  a  son  born  in  Watorbury,  Sep.  6, 1708.  He  had  a  house 
and  half  an  acre  and  twelve  rods  of  ground  in  Fel).  17('2-!^,  butted  on  all  «ides  on 
highway,  and  situated,  apparently,  west  and  in  front  of  the  old  mill,  between 
**  Union  Sijuare  "  and  the  ScoviU  Mauuf'g  Co'h  rolling  mill.  He  remained,  how- 
ever, only  long  enough  to  seenre  his  propriety  right.  March  IS,  170S-S,  he  sold 
his  place  to  Ma  fiither,  and  received  in  payment  eertidn  lands  in  flannington,  to 
which  town  he  had  already  removed.  He  had  five  children  born  there  between 
170,'S  and  1712.  Afterwards  he  turned  up  in  Sajbrook,  where  he  was  denominated 
"doctor."    He  wa«  there  in  1733. 

5.  Sarah ;  b.  March  16,  1683-4  ;  m.  Joseph  Lewiij,  and  d.  March  6,  1773. 
0.  Bacfael;  b.  July  11,  168S;  m.  Samoel  Orrice. 

7.  John;  b.  Jnly  IS,  1S8S.  He  m.  Martha  Warner  and  removed  eariy  to  Far* 

minpton,  where  he  had  several  children.  Ho  was  there  in  1710,  1715,  1728,  and 
hml  returned  to  Watorbury  in  1724,  where  hU  seventh  nnd  eij^hth  children  were 
born — the  last  in  1728.  lie  lived  in  the  f-outheaj^t  quarter,  in  113U,  near  Judd's 
Meadow.    In  1748-9  be  wad  an  iububitant  of  Woodbury. 

S.  Thomas;  b.  **Mareh  S,  1694."  He  became  a  bachelor  proprietor  In  171S, 
and  married  Mary,  d.  of  John  Tomer  of  Hartford,  Kov.  2, 172S,  by  whom  he  had 


Digitized  by  Google 


131 


BinOBT  OF  WATBRBUST. 


three  daughters  bom  in  Waterbury,  the  la«t  in  1734.  In  17S1,  he  exchanged  with 
Stephen  Kelaey  bia  house  and  Unda  for  a  house  and  sixty -nine  acres  on  the  Wood- 
bur  j  road,  near  the  Woodbury  line.  These  last  ho  eold,  in  1785,  to  Thomas 
Mathewa,  Jr.  of  WalUngford,  to  wliieh  place  he  remoTed  mmhi  after. 

ABRAHAM  AXDRLSS.  Jr.,  oa  Coofkr. 

He  was  caWedjuntor  because  be  was  younger  than  bis  name- 
sake, the  term  in  those  days  having  no  reference  to  family 
relationship,  llie  term  cooper  designated  bis  occupation.  He 
was  a  son  of  John  (and  Mary)  Andrews.  The  father  was  an 
early  settler  of  Farmington,  and  one  of  the  first  (and  non 
fulfilling  ")  signers  of  the  articles  for  the  settlement  of  Wa- 
terbury. He  had  seven  sons,  John,  Abraham,  Samuel,  Dan- 
iel, Joseph,  (who  signed  the  articles,  but  never  came  to  Waters 
bury,)  Stephen,  Benjamin,  and  three  daughters,  Mary,  (the 
modier  of  Benjamin  Barnes,)  Hannah,  (who  nuuried  Obadiah 
Richards,)  and  Rachel.  He  died  in  1681,  (his  wife  in  May, 
1694,)  leaving  legacies  to  several  of  his  grandchildren,  includ- 
ing John  and  Abraham  Andruss  and  John  Richards. 

Abraham  Andruss,  Jr.,  or  cooper  Andruss,  (bom  Oct  31, 
1648,  baptized,  April  2d,  1654,)  had  a  £100  propriety  and 
subscribed  the  ai  tirles  'Mn  the  room  of  John  Judd."  Ilis 
name  is  lirst  mentioned  in  tlie  aUotmcnt  of  the  fourth  division 
of  fence.  He  was  one  of  those  who  were  dechired,  Feb.  6th, 
1682,  to  have  forfeited  tlioir  rights.  On  promise  of  "  6nl)mis- 
sion  and  refornuition,"  liowever,  lie  was  again  put  in  j)i»^c'>.-ion 
of  his  allutnients.  Ilis  name  is  on  tlie  list  of  pr(»])netors  in 
1G8S,  and  on  all  subsequent  lists.  Nothing  in  particular  is 
known  of  liis  standing.  Ilis  house  and  a  house  lot  of  two 
acres  were  on  the  north  comer  of  West  Main  and  Bank  streets, 
butting  west  on  Daniel  Porter  and  soutli  on  common  land. 
He  married  Sarah,  a  daughter  of  Robert  Porter.  They  both 
joined  the  churcli  in  Fannington,  Jan.  Sd,  1080.  He  died 
May  dd,  1693,  leaving  bis  widow  pregnant.  His  inventory 
amounted  to £177, 17s. 3d.;  andthee6tatewnsdistributed,March 
20th,  1694-5,  according  to  law — one  third  of  the  movables 
and  the  use  of  the  real  estate  during  life,  to  the  widow,  a 
double  portion  of  the  remainder  to  the  oldest  son,  Abraham, 
and  equal  shares  to  the  other  children.  The  family  all  remov- 
ed to  Danbury,  the  widow  having  married  James  Benedict  of 


Digitized  by  Google 

I 


UISTOKY  OF  WATEEBUBY 


135 


that  place.  Li  March,  1707,  she  relinquished  her  right  to  the 
real  estate  in  Waterburj,  and  the  homestead  was  taken  by  the 
eldest  son,  Abraham. 

Andniss  clnldren,  all  mentioned  in  the  settlement  of  the 
estate  in  1707-8,  were,  as  far  as  known: 

1.  Sarah ;  baptised  in  Farmington  March  9th,  168S-4,aiid  n.  ThomM  Baymond 

of  Norwalk,  where  thoy  wore  both  living  in  1723. 

2.  Abraham;  baptized  July  17,  ir»87,(?)  in  Farmineton. 

3.  Mary ;  baptized  in  Farmiugton  in  1689;  m.  Jamcd  iitiucdict  of  Danbury. 

4.  Beqjainui. 
6.  Robert* 

Andruss  propriety  was  owned  by  William  Judd,  in  1721, 
and,  in  J iine  of  tlie  same  year,  was  sold  to  Samuel  Whittlesey 
of  Wallingford,  for  £42. 

BSyJAMIN  BARNES. 

His  father,  Tliomas  JJarnes,  was  an  orifjinal  proprietor  and 
settler  of  Hartford  and  a  soldier  in  the  l*e<|iiot  war  of  1037. 
For  liis  services  in  that  war,  he  received,  in  1071,  from  the 
colonial  Assembly,  a  grant  of  land  of  fifty  acres.  When  the 
settlement  of  Farmington  was  commenced,  bo  became  a  pro- 
prietor and  settled  in  that  place.  He  was  appointed  a  ser- 
geant of  the  train-band  in  1651,  and  became  a  member  of  the 
church  in  1653.  His  wife  was  ^fary,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Andrews.    He  died  in  1688.    Ilis  children  were  : — 

1.  Benjamin;  b.  1653.  2.  Joseph;  baptized  1655;  m. 
July  8, 1 684,  Abigail  Gibbs,  and  d.  Jan.  28, 1740-1 .  3.  Sarah  ; 
m.  John  Scoyill.  4.  Thomas ;  m.  June,  1690,  Hary  Jones, 
and  became  a  deacon.  5.  Ebenezer;  m.  April  8, 1690,  Debo- 
rah Orris  or  Oryice,  and  died  1756. 

Benjamin  Barnes  was  accepted  as  a  proprietor  of  Water- 
bnry,  Jan.  15,  1677,  (1677-8,)  taking  the  place  of  Richard 
Seymour.  He  was  an  early  settler,  but  probably  was  not  of 
the  first  company.  He  had  no  allotment  of  fence  in  the  first 


*  Mary  Benedict  and  Abraham,  Kobcrt  mad  John  AodruM,  "heirs of  Abraham  AndroM,  coop> 
irart  M  UTiog  la  Dutary  in  17B4.  (Wat.  L.      ToU  TUI,  p.  Sll.)  WhellMr  Ihlt  Jote 
Andrun  waa  a  MQ  sf  eooptr  AnArm,  '«r  ft  grudMB  tad  rtpNNBtod  Btt^&almh  Islwwt,  I 
am  unable  to  aajr* 


Digitized  by  Google 


136 


HI8TOBY  OF  WATEHBUBY 


division;  but  Lis  name  is  found  in  the  other  divisionB.  He 
signed  the  agreement  with  Mr.  Peek,  in  ld89 ;  was  moderator 

of  proprietors'  meetings,  in  1694r-5 ;  "grave  digger  "  in  1699; 
townsman^  school  committee,  lister,  hayward,  collector  and 
grand  juror,  at  different  times;  deputy  to  the  General  Court, 
in  1703.  His  house  and  home  lot  of  two  acres  were  on  the 
corner  of  West  and  North  Main  streets,  the  h>t  being  hounded, 
in  lf)S7,  easterly  and  south  un  liighway,  north  on  coinnion  and 
westerly  on  Samuel  Jliekox.  The  homestead  and  i^onie  out- 
laiuls  lie  eoiiveyed,  in  1714,  to  his  son  Thomas,  in  considera- 
tion of  the  said  Thonuis  takin«;  care  of  him  while  he  lived  and 
paying  his  just  debts,  "  and  taking  the  eare  of  his  father's  wife, 
if  he  should  haue  one,  with  a  comfortable  mantainance,  and 
the  whole  term  of  her  being  his  widow."  Afterwards,  in  172S, 
the  homestead,  now  two  and  a  half  acres,  was  conveyed  to 
Joseph  Smith,  father  and  son  uniting  in  the  deed.  When  the 
new  meeting  house  came  to  be  seated,  Goodman  Barnes," 
(still  a  widower,  apparently,)  along  with  other  aged  wortlnes, 
was  voted  into  the  first  pew  at  the  west  end  of  the  pulpit. 

Benjamin  Barnes  was  married  to  Sarah  .    He  joined 

the  Farmington  church  March  22d,  1690-1.  He  died  April 
24, 1731,  being  the  last  of  the  original  proprietors  who  be- 
came settlers  as  early  as  he.  His  idfe  died  in  the  great  sick- 
ness, Bee  Slst,  1712.  Their  children  were : — 

1.  Beiyamiu;  b.  Sep.  1684  and  d.  in  Majr,  1709.  He  was  a  bachelor  proprietor, 
and  his  estate,  bdng  thirty  eight  seres  sad  «  £40  propriety,  was  distributed  to  liis 
brothers  and  sisters. 

S.  John;  b.  Aug.  12,  1686,  and  wuf  liaptlaed  in  Farmington,  (together  with  Us 
brother,  Benjamin,)  Dec.  1,  1G89.  lie  became  a  baclu'lor  proprietor  at  the  ago 
of  21  ;  ni.  March  28,  1728,  Mary,  widow  of  Samuel  Porter  and  d.  of  John  Bron- 
8on,  and  died  March  21,  1763.  His  widow  died  Jan.  27,  1774.  lie  had  five  child- 
ren, the  fonr  youngest  of  whom  died  hi  the  great  siekness  of  1149.  His  oeeupa- 
tion  was  that  of  a  **  hoibandman."  He  UTed  alJadd^  Headow,  west  of  the  rirer. 

8.  A  son;  b.  May  10,  1689  ;  d.  the  same  month. 

4.  Thomas;  b.  May  11,  16'.M>;  baptized  in  Farmington,  Juno  8,  l^VJO.  lie  liad 
a  bachelor  lot,  and  v>as  at  different  times  selectman,  school  committi-e,  con.*«table, 
kc.  Ho  was  a  shoemaker  and  is  called,  also,  *' cordwinder.*'  In  Feb.  1718-19, 
his  £itlier  gave  to  liim,  In  tlie  language  of  the  deed,  **flft7  acres  of  land  belong- 
ing to  me  whieh  was  gircn  to  my  father  by  the  generall  court  for  pequot  war 
serus.**  After  the  sale  of  his  father's  homestead,  he  lived,  for  a  time,  on  the  south* 
west  corner  of  Cook  and  Grove  Ptrccti?.  This  place  he  sold,  in  1735,  to  Jonathan 
(larosey,  and  in  1762,  lived  on  the  west  side  of  Willow  Btrect,  a  little  north  of 


Digitized  by  G 


UISTOBY  OF  WATERBCBY. 


137 


OroTe,  mahouae  which  li itill  atandiog.  Be  was  ft  wngnat  in  the  tnin-tmnd,  and 
n.   Jan.  4, 1781,**  Soaanna,  the  d.  of  Edward  SeoviU  of  Haddam.  They  had 

tax  children.  He  died  Not.  29,  1772.   His  will,  dated  Dec.  1768,  mentiona  hia 
wife,  Sn-iaiiiia,  fi  niatTit-d  d.iuphtcr,  SuKuuua  Teriel,  and  one  pon,  DanieL 
6.  KIk  -h  /.,t;  I».  "Muroh  15,  Ifi'.Ki,"  and  d.  "Marcli  lo,  1713." 

6.  Saiuli  ;  b.  Aug.  15,  loy5,  and  lu.  Tbomas  Day,  Jr.  They  lived  in  Colchc«> 
ter  hi  1723,  and  then  aoU  all  their  righta  of  land  hi  Wnterbwy  to  Thomas 
BamM» 

7.  Samuel ;  b.  "  March  16, 1697 m.  June  4|  1728,  Mary,  d.  of  John  Johnaon 
of  Deri>7,  and  had  nine  children. 

BRONSON. 

The  name  is  usually  spelled  Brownson  on  the  Hartfoid  and 
Branson  on  the  Parmington  records.  John  Bronson,  the  father 

of  the  Waterbury  Bronsons,  was  early  in  Hartford,  lie  is  be- 
lieved, though  not  certainly  known,  to  have  been  one  of  tlie 
company  wlio  came  with  Mr.  Hooker,  in  1030,  of  whose 
chnrch  he  was  a  member.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  bloody 
Peqnot  battle  of  1637.  He  is  not  named  among  tlie  proprie- 
tors of  Hartford  in  the  land  division  of  1639;  but  is  mention- 
ed in  the  same  year  in  the  list  of  settlors,  who,  by  the  "towne'e 
courtesie"  liad  liberty  "to  fetch  woode  and  keepe  swine  or 
cowes  on  the  common.'^  His  house  lot  was  in  the  "soldiers 
field,"  so  called,  in  the  north  part  of  tlie  old  village  of  Hartford, 
on  the  "Xeck  Koad,"  (supposed  to  have  been  given  for  service 
in  the  Peqnot  war,)  where  he  lived  in  1640.    Hininan,  in  his 

First  Puritan  Settlers,'^  thinks  that  his  father,  then  an  aged 
man,  owning  no  land,  Richard  by  name,  was  with  him.  Nov. 
9th,  1640,  he  (John  Bronson)  and  Andrew  Warner  were  fined 
five  shillings  "for  patting  their  hogs  over  the  Great  Kiver, 
and  five  shillings  for  every  day  they  left  them  there." 

After  the  purchase  of  Tnnzis  (Farmington)  by  the  Hart- 
ford people,  John  Bronson,  about  1641,  removed  to  tiiat  place. 
His  house  lot  was  on  a  road  running  out  of  the  village  in  an 
easterly  direction  and  half  a  mile  distant.  (Richard  Bronson, 
supposed  to  have  been  his  brother,  also  an  original  proprietor 
and  from  Hartford,  lived  near  by.)  He  was  one  of  the  seven 
pillars  at  the  organization  of  the  Farmington  church,  in  1652. 
He  was  a  deputy  to  the  General  Court,  in  May,  1651,  and  at 
several  subsequent  sessions,  and    the  constable  of  Farming- 


Digitized  by  Google 


138 


UISTOKY  OF  WATSBBU&Y, 


ton,''  m1h>  collected  tlie  rate  for  "y"  Fort  at  Seabroolc,"  in 
105:^.  May  10th,  1070,  Clierry  and  will  the  indian  with 
three  of  the  miltord  indiaiis  were  adjudi^ed  to  pay  to  liim  for 
sider  they  stole  from  him  twenty  shillings."  His  name  is  on 
the  list  of  freemen  of  Farmington  in  lOOi).  II©  died  2sov,  28, 
1680.— Estate  £312.    His  children  were  :— 

1.  Jacob  ;  h.  Jan.  1G41,  m.  Mary  ;  left  posterity,  and  d. 

1708.  lie  lived  in  Farmington,  in  the  society  of  Kensington. 
2.  Jnliu  ;  b.  Jan.  lG4i.  3.  Isaac;  b.  Nov.  1645,  baptized 
Dec.  7,  1645,  in  Hartford,  by  Mr.  Hooker.  4.  Mary ;  m.  an 
Ellis  or  Allie.  5.  Abraham ;  baptized  Nov.  28,  1647.  He 
signed  the  Mattatuck  articles,  but  declined  the  responeibilities 
of  a  planter.  lie  removed  to  Lyme,  and  m.  Hannah,  d.  of 
Mathew  Griswold,  and  d.  at  an  advanced  age,  (Ilinman  sajB 
in  1647,  which  is  probably  a  mistake,)  leaving  descendants. 
6.  Dorcas;  m.  Stephen  Hopkins  of  Hartford,  father  of  John  of 
Waterburj,  and  d.  May  18,  1697.  7.  Sarah;  m.  Ebenezer 
Kilboom  of  Wethersfield. 

JOHN  BROXSON. 

He  was  one  of  the  thirty  original  subscribers,  in  1674.  Tlie 
name  is  written  ^*John  Bronson,  Jr."  The  "Jr."  on  the 
Farmington  records  was  usually  applied  to  the  son  of  Kich- 
ard;  which  fact  has  led  to  the  conclusion  that  the  settler  in 
Mattatuck  was  the  son  of  Eichard,  and  not  of  John.  I  believe, 
however,  but  am  not  entirely  confident,  that  John  of  Water- 
bury  was  the  son  of  John  of  Farmington.  I  find  this  language 
used  on  the  Farmington  records,  under  date  of  March  28, 
1695 — *<Land  in  Farmington  belonging  to  John  Brownson: 
son  of  John  Brownson,  at  Watterbnry."  John,  the  son  of 
the  Waterbury  John,  lived  in  Farmington.  But  John,  the  son 
of  Bichard,  appears  also  have  had  a  son  John. 

John  Bronson  was  an  early  settler  of  Mattatuck.  He  is  not, 
however,  named  in  the  second  division  of  fence,  which  fact  in- 
dicates that  he  vacillated  for  a  time.  He  lived  on  the  north 
Bide  of  West  Main  street,  where  William  K.  Hitchcock  now 
resides,  having  a  lot  of  two  acres;  hounded  north  and  south  on 
highway,  cast  on  JJcut.  Judd,  west  on  Thomas  liichason.  He 
m.  Sarah  Veutris  and  d.  17U6.    His  widow  d.  Jan.  6,  1711- 


Digitized  by  G( 


IIISTOSY  OF  WATEKBUSY. 


139 


19.  The  inventory  of  his  estate,  amounting  to  £141, 68. 6d.,  wiUi 
£22,  38.  de))t8,  was  taken  Nov.  7,  1696.   The  estate  was  d»- 

tributc'd  by  Isaac  Bnnison  and  I)ea.  Tliomas  Judd,  according 
to  an  order  of  tlie  Court.  The  widow  was  to  have  a  double 
l)art  and  the  children  to  share  e(jually,  leaving  out  the  eldest 
sou  John: — 

It  Appeuliig  to  this  eoorC  7*  y  eldeit  aooo  bw  ■Imdj  raeaiued  fate  Ml  pwtbj 
deed  of  gift  from  his  father  iu  his  life  time  and  by  Ufl  own  acknowledgment  in 
court — it  i-;  t(»  1m'  nmli  r-itood  y'  y»  widow  U  to  have  one  third  part  of  J*  rale 
estate  during  her  Daturall  life  Aud  a  double  part  of  y*  personal  estate. 

Children: 

1.  Jobn;  b.  1670;  d.  June  IB,  11U,  He  remoTed  to  Fkimington  (the  pert 

which  is  now  Southingtoo)  Mud  bedaevenl  chOdreu. 

•2.  Sarsih  ;  h.  ir.7'2. 

Dorothy;  b.  1675;  m.  Stephon  Kilsey  of  Wcthcrfifiild.  Tlioy  were  both 
living  iu  1723,  and  deeded  their  right  in  their  father  Bron-^on  a  estate  to  their 
•on  Stephen  Keliey  of  Wetbenfield,  (afterwerde  of  Weterbury.) 

4.  Sbeneier ;  b.  1677 ;  m.  Harj  Munn,  Aug.  18, 170S,  end  d.  Hoy  28,  1727, 
koring  daughters,  Elizaln  th  Knon1e.<),  Bethiah,  wife  of  Lemuel  Wheeler,  ond 
Others.    He  lived  and  died  in  Woodbury.    (Sec  Cothrcii's  Woodbury.) 

6.  William  ;  b.  ItJS'i  ;  ni.  in  1707,  Ewther  Barncj* ;  and  d.  in  1761,  having  had 
several  eons  and  daughters.  Ho  removed  to  Farutiugton  at  an  eerly  dote.  To 
him  his  &ther^e  homerteod  wu  ^atribnted  liie  wholo  portton,"  Tolned  at 
£14,  16s  4d. 

6.  Hoses;  b.  1686;  m.  Jane  Wait  of  Stratford,  and  d.  Aug.  12,  1754.  His 
widow  and  all  hi.'*  children,  thirteen  in  number,  are  named  on  the  Probate  record 
ad  living  at  his  decease.  Ho  wa.s  admitted  as  a  bachelor  proprietor  Jan.  7,  1706— 
7,  end  again  in  Nov.  1722,  having  the  "fifth  propriety  lot,"  so  called,  which  was 
formerly  liIs  own.  It  seems  tliat  be  lefl  Waterbory  and  was  absent  seroral  years. 
His  IHends  hsTing  no  Intelligence  from  bfan  supposed  him  dead,  and  the  Court,  in 
1712,  ordered  his  brother  William  to  take  all  needful  care  of  hi."  e.«tatc.  (FTinman's 
Puritan>».)  He  was  discovered,  however,  the  next  year,  in  Stratford,  where  he  re- 
mained some  time  ailerwardM,  having  several  children  born  there.  I  find  no  men- 
tiimmade  of  him,  as  an  inhabitant  of  Waterbury,  from  Feb.  1709-10,  till  after  Not. 
28, 1722,  when  his  bachdor  lot  was  granted  him  a  second  tfano.  Thomss  Sherwood 
of  Stratford  asristod  Um  in  obtaining  this  grant,  for  which  assistance,  and  for  fab 
journey,  Bronson  conveyed  to  him,  by  a  quit  claim  deed,  "one  half  of  the  ono 
hundred  and  twenty  three  acron"  of  land-di visions  then  to  be  taken  u[),  on  tho 
said  bachelor's  right.  Bronson  returned  to  Waterbury  about  172U.  lie  lived  up 
the  river  on  the  west  side. 

7.  Onwo;  b.  1689. 


Digitized  by  Google 


140 


BI8T0BT  OF  WATEEBU&Y, 


ISAAC  BRONSO!!. 

He  was  one  of  the  original  thirty  subscribere,  and  is  be- 
lieved to  have  been  one  of  the  first  company  who  came  to 
Watcrbury,  having  a  meadow  allotment  in  the  beginning  and 
being  named  in  all  the  divisions  of  coinnion  fence.  He  ap- 
pears  to  have  complied  promptly  with  all  the  conditions  of  the 
articles  of  settlement  He  lived  on  North  Main  etreet,  a  lit* 
tie  north  of  the  house  of  Angostns  Brown,  having  a  lot  of  fonr 
acres,  bounded,  in  1687,  westerly  on  highway,  southerly  on 
John  Stanley,  northerly  on  John  Newell  and  easterly  on  com- 
mon land.  March  81,  1694,  he  purchased  John  NewelUs 
house  and  lot  of  five  acres  next  adjoining  him  on  the  north. 

Isaac  Bronson  was  one  of  the  patentees  named  in  the  first 
town  patent  He  joined  the  Farmington  church,  Hay  15th, 
1684,  and  was  active  in  establishing  a  church  in  Waterbuiy. 
He  was  a  petitioner  with  Mr.  Peck  to  the  (General  Court  for 
liberty  "  to  gather  a  church,  and  was  one  of  its  seven  pillars 
at  its  final  organization,  in  1691.  When  the  train-band  was 
re-organized,  after  the  town  was  incoi-porated,  in  16S9,  he  was 
appointed  corporal.  About  1G05,  he  hecamc  bcrgeant,  and 
ever  afterwards  was  known  as  Sergeant  Bronson.  He  was 
deputy  in  May,  1097,  and  Oct.  1701,  and  townsman,  school 
committee,  town  survey  or,  vfec,  at  different  times.  He  seems 
t(^  luive  l)(jen  one  of  the  most  respected  of  the  early  settlere. 
AVlieii  it  l)ecanie  necessary  to  provide  for  his  declining  years, 
he  deeded  half  Ids  homestead,  tfcc,  to  h'lfi  youngest  son  K])e- 
nezer,  on  condition  as  follows: — The  instrument  is  dated  June 
23d,  1714,  and  is  signed  hy  a  mark,  in  consequence,  doubtless, 
of  feeble  health.  Tlie  grantor  wrote,  in  his  better  days,  a  fair 
hand,  for  the  times.  Specimens  of  his  writing  may  be  seen  in 
the  old  proprietors'  book,  (pamphlet  form,)  he  having  some- 
times acted  as  temporaiy  clerk. 

Know  yd  that  i  Isack  brounson  &cnr  [&c.]  in  coniudcratioa  of  my  ion  ebcnczer 
bromuoohoo  now  ttues  wHh  mo  llndlag  of  mo  and  my  wifb  mary  broanMn  with  » 
sotoblo  and  comfortable  mantenanoo  and  taldngthe  wholo  care  of  na  both  while  we 
Bne  both  in  riknes  and  in  belth  I  my  for  and  in  consideration  hero  of  I  do  giuo  and 

prnnt  to  my  well  be  louced  fhinezor  lirotm.aon  \kc.]  the  onp  half  of  niy  hom  lot  upon 
which  my  dwelling  hous  now  stands  whicii  land  is  esteemed  two  acres  and  a  half  be 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8IOST  OF  WAISBBUBT. 


141 


it  mora  or  leas  as  it  lie8  buted  and  bounded  south  on  samucll  standlj  cast  on  John 
bronnson  west  on  highway  north  on  the  ramafaidor  of  mj  homsted.  Then  mj 
whole  light  in  the  lot  he  bought  of  John  Wamer— Item,  half  mj  team  two 

youBf^  hcfTers  and  a  young  mare  and  One  half  of  aU  my  t^^Mfag  and  Implements 
belonging  to  a  team  To  bane  and  to  hold  [AcJ 

Several  years  aflterwards,  or  Dec.  2, 1718,  EliciR-zer  relin- 
quished his  interest  in  liis  father's  homestead,  and  liis  Lrother 
and  brotlier-in-law,  Thonias  Bronson  and  Thomas  Ilickox,  in 
consideration  of  live  acres  of  land  on  the  Farminirton  road, 
beini^  the  Tailor  lot,  so  called;  valued  at  £8,  receive<l  of  Iibe- 
nezcr,  assumed  the  care  of  their  father  and  mother.  On  the 
same  day,  the  father  deeded  to  El)enezer,  "  that  he  maybe 
sntaljly  rewarded  and  incouraged  for  what  he  haa  done  for 
us,"  one  acre  of  his  home  lot. 

Isaac  Bronson  m.  about  1609,  Mary,  daughter  of  John 
Root  of  Farmington,  a  non-fiiltilling  subscriber  of  the  articles. 
He  d.  about  1719,  and  his  widow  soon  atltcr.  An  inventory 
of  his  estate  was  presented  to  court,  Feb.  29,  1719-20,  by 
"  Mr.  Isaac  Bronson,"  his  son,  with  an  agreement  among  the 
heirs  as  to  its  settlement,  they  giving  bonds  for  the  support  of 
the  widow.  The  oldest  son  was  to  have  £7  more  than  tlie 
other  sons,  and  the  latter  £7  more  than  the  daughters,  eight 
in  all.  The  amount  distributed  was  £886.  Thomas  Clark  and 
John  Btchards  were  appraisers  of  the  estate. 

Children : 

1.  Isaac ;  b.  1G70,  and  died  June  18|  Am  eartf  ae  March,  1694-5,  he 

(^th  others)  had  a  grant  of  land  ont  Baat»  on  the  aouth  dde  of  the  Farmington 

road,  near  Carrington  Pond,  (floutb  of  Timothy  Porter's,)  where  he  proposed  to 

eetile  ;  but  the  enterprise  was  given  up.  After  his  marriage,  he  purchaned  (April 
24,  1704)  of  Ephraim  Warner  a  houae  and  lot  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Cook  and 
Grove  streeU,  where  ho  pcrliap^  lived  for  a  time.  He  owued  loud  at  Breakneck 
HiQ  at  an  earlj  date.  In  Jime,  ItOl,  ho  pitrcfaaeed  of  Thomas  Warner  twelre 
acres  on  the  south  side  of  the  Woodbury  road.  He  went  there  to  live  before 
Ibrch,  I7o7,  (N.  S.,)  and  is  conmdered  a.4  the  first  permanent  settler  of  what  is 
now  Middlebury.  According  to  a  tradition  of  the  family,  hi^  eldest  son,  Isaac, 
was  the  <ir-t  child  born  (March  27,  1707)  within  the  limits  of  that  town.  His  lioiu-e 
stood  wiiere  Leonard  Bronson  now  lives.  He  was  a  bachelor  proprietor ;  a  deputy 
to  the  General  Gonrt  in  172S  and  17SS,  and  one  of  the  meet  respectable  and  fai. 
floeatial  men  of  the  town  for  many  jcars. 

S.  John;  b.  1673,  and  died  abwl the  close  of  the  year  1746.  His  inventory 
amounted  to  £1,181,  48.  8d.  He  i^  suppojsod  to  have  lived  firatat  Breukneck.  llij 
father  owned  a  bouse  there  as  early  as  April  6,  17U2,  and  it  is  probable  that  John 


Digitized  by  Google 


142 


BI8T0EY  OF  WATlt^UBUSY, 


occupied  it  The  latAer  bftd  a  honae  of  Us  own  at  Breakneek  and  tventj^wo 
acrea  of  land,  Feb.  Sftli,  which  he  booghti  by  exdiange,  of  Joseph  Gay- 

lor4t  S<>n.  Afierwiirds,  with  his  father's  help,  he  built  a  house  on  the  east  end  of 
hiH  fiitlu-r's  lot,  on  Chorry,  near  the  juiu  tioii  of  Walnut  Btreot.  Huh  father  gave 
him  the  land,  (on  which  tlie  house  had  already  been  built,  Jan.  liU,  17(i7-S,)  two 
acres,  butting  cost  on  highway,  (which  at  this  point  was  six  rods  wide,)  west  on 
Us  fiitber's  land,  north  m  Beqjandn  Barnes*  and  south  on  Thomas  Bickox*s  land. 
In  A|»ii,  1748,  he  bought  the  old  HopUna*  place ;  but  whether  he  liTcd  on  it,  I 
am  unable  to  say.  He  became  a  lieutenant  of  the  militia  and  was,  two  or  three 
times,  selectman.  He  was  licensed  as  a  tnvern-l<ooiM*r  by  the  New  Ilaveu  t'ounty 
foiiit  in  and  afterward."^.  It  appears  to  have  been  his  son  .John,  who  was  also 
a  lieutcnuut,  who  removed  to  Northbury  about  1737,  and  afterwards  to  Amenia, 

N.  Y. 

8.  Samuel ;  bom  about  1676.  He  was  a  cooper,  and  lived  in  Kendqgton. 

4.  Usry;  b.  Oct  16, 1680;  n.  Den.  Thomas  Hickox  and  died  in  1766.  She  . 

seems  to  have  been  a  woman  of  ^roat  efficiency,  and  while  a  widow,  managed  her 
own  buj^itiesy  anri  property,  dealing  much  in  real  estate. 

6.  Joseph  ;  b.  1682,  and  d.  May  10, 17u7.  liis  estate  was  distributed  among  his 
brothem  and  sisters  in  17S1,  amounting  to  £S4 — a  140  propriety  being  estimated 
at  £6  and  sizty-dght  acres  of  hud,  (bdng  dividends  on  it,)  at  £19. 

6.  Thomas;  b.  Jan.  16,  1686,  and  d.  May  6,  1777.  lie  was  the  fifth  deacon 
(appointed  175i))  of  the  Waterbury  first  clnnch,  his  son  Thomas  being  the  sixth, 
lie  h  id  a  house  and  four  acres  of  land  on  the  corner  of  Cook  and  (Jrovo  strectsi 
which  he  sold  to  Joseph  Smith  of  Derby,  Dec.  80tb,  1726,  for  £146 ;  butted  west 
on  hdrs  «tf  Oeoige  Scott  sad  Thomss  Barnes,  all  other  sides  mt  highway. 
The  knd  he  bought  hi  1717  of  his  brother  John  for  £8.  After  the  death  of  Us 
fitther,  he  bought  of  his  brother  Bbeneser,  (in  1726,)  the  family  homestead,  which 
he  afterwards  occupied.    He  was  a  lieutenant,  and  is  so  called  on  his  pravostonc. 

7.  Ebenezer  ;  b.  Dec.  lt)H8.  He  was  baptized  in  Farniington,  as  were  his  oliler 
brothers  and  his  sister  Mary.  lie  was  a  bachelor  proprietor,  and  so  were  his 
brotheiB  Isaac,  John,  Joseph  and  Thomas.  He  improved  the  old  homestead  for 
several  years  after  the  death  of  his  fikther.  In  April,  1786,  he  bought  of  William 
Judd  the  place  on  the  southwest  corner  of  West  Main  and  Willow  streets,  where  he 
jived  in  1744,  and  1  suppose  till  his  death,  and  where  his  son  Andrew  lived  after  him. 
In  his  will,  he  speaks  of  having  already  given  his  oldest  son  Andrew,  "by  way  of 
acknowledgement  of  him  as  my  eldest  son,  a  yoak  of  steers,  with  £20  old  tenor 
money,  and  some  other  small  matters.**  He  bequeathed  to  the  first  church  in 
Waterbury,  **  forty  sUlttngs,  lawfbl  money,  to  lye  in  bank  for  the  nse  and  benefit 
of  the  church,  the  interest  to  be  improved,"  so  long  as  the  church  continue  **in 
the  present  form  and  method,*'  kc.  lie  d.  July  20,  1775.  The  amount  of  hia  in- 
ventory was  £868,  lis.  4d.    lie  is  called  in  deeds,  **yeoman.** 

8.  Sarah;  b.  Nov.  15,  ir,91,  and  d.  1748. 

9.  Mercy;  b.Sept.  28,  lom,  andm.  BiehardBronson  of  Woodbury. 


Digitized  by  Google 


BIBTOET  OF  WATBBBDBT. 


U3 


JOHN  CARRINGTON. 

lie  was  an  early  settler  of  Farmiiigton  and  one  of  the 
"  eighty-four  proprietors  "  of  1672.  lie  signed  the  articles  for 
tlie  settlement  of  Mattatuck,  in  1674,  and  appears  to  have 
joiiKHl  the  new  plantation  early;  for  be  is  named  in  all  the 
divisions  of  fence.  He,  however,  neglected  full  compliance 
with  the  conditions  of  the  article^  and  was  declared  to  have 
forfeited  his  rights,  Feb.  6, 1683,  (1682-8.)  But  little  is  known 
of  him.  He  died  in  the  early  part  of  1690,  leaving  a  widow 
who  deceased  before  the  inventory  was  rendered,  (June  30, 
1 600.)  His  son  John  was  administrator  and  the  estate  amount- 
ed to  £130,  lis.  John  had  £23,  each  of  the  other  children 
£12.  Benjamin  Barnes  and  Thomas  Jndd,  the  smith,  were 
appointed  guardians  of  the  three  }  oungest  children,  with  in- 
structions to  pnt  them  out,  and  not  to  be  overruled  by  John, 
tlie  administrator. 

John  Carrington's  house  lot  of  two  acres  was  on  West  Main 
street,  the  south  side,  about  where  Leavenworth  street  now 
runs.  It  was  bounded  north  and  south  on  higliway,  east  on 
Timothy  Stanley,  west  on  George  Scott.  It  was  sold,  in  1710, 
by  the  heii-8,  to  Timothy  Stanley  and  George  Scott,  for  £12, 

Children : 

1.  John;  b.  1667,  and  d.  1692,  in  Waterbury.  Benjamin  Barnes  and  Tlioniaa 
Judd.  Jr.  wi^rp  administnitorH.  The  estiite.  amounting  to  £5^•,  17«.  'id,  wn>' (li.«-tnbu« 
ted,  tuH  debto  being  firnt  paid,  to  \i'ui  brothers  and  tii^ttcrt^.    lie  vr&s  a  cuo|h.t. 

2.  Mary;  b.  1672;  m.  Joshua  Holcoinb(?)  of  Simsbory.  She  was  tho  wife  of 
William  Ptesons  of  Farmington  In  1721  and  1784-55. 

S.  Hannah ;  b.  1676 ;  m.  William  Par^ions  of  Farmington,  according  to  Mr.  W. 
8.  Porter.    Should  not  the  name  he  Jo^huu  HoU-omh  uf  Sirn.Hhiirv  ? 

4.  Clarlc ;  b.  1678 ;  m.  Sarah  Higason,  and  lived  m  Faruiingtou.  He  was  there 
in  1721-2. 

5.  Elizabeth ;  b.  1688 :  n.  John  HoaUnt  of  Windsor. 

6.  Ebeneier ;  b.  1687 ;  remoTed  to  Kuiford,  and  died  in  Waterbttry*  adminb- 
tration  being  taken  out,  (In  1711,)  by  his  brolher»in*law,  WilHam  Panons  of  Hart- 
ford. He  left  no  family. 

THOMAS  CLARK. 

Ilis  grandfather,  "William  C  lark,  came  from  England  and 
settled  in  Dorchester,  Mass.,  about  1637.  Tliencche  r(Mnf)ved 
to  Northampton,  in  1659,  and  d.  in  1690.   Ills  son  William, 


Digitized  by  Google 


144 


niSTOBY  OF  WATERBUBT. 


the  father  of  Thomas  of  Waterbury,  after  the  birth  of  his 
children,  removed  to  Lebanon,  Conn. 

Thomas  Clark  was  bom  (in  Northampton)  April  14, 1690. 
His  mother  Sarah  (Strong)  was  the  sister  of  Timothj  Stan- 
ley's wife*  When  a  mere  child,  as  tradition  runs,  his  nncle 
Stonley  visited  his  father's  house  in  Lebanon  and  inquired,  at 
first  in  a  sportive  way,  which  of  his  youti<^  nephews  would  go 
and  live  with  liini  and  be  bis  boy,  as  be  bad  none  of  bis  own. 
Tlionias  spoke  np  promptly  and  Miid  that  he  would  go.  Hut 
as  be  was  so  young,  it  was  finally  arranged  that  liis  elder  l)roth- 
er,  Tiniotliv,  sliouUl  acccdiipany  liis  uncle  to  Waterburv.  l>ut 
Timothy  soon  became  home  sick  and  returned  to  Lebanon  and 
Tliomas  was  allowed  to  take  his  i>lace,  to  become,  afterwards, 
tlie  adopted  son  and  principal  lieir  of  Stanley.  Tie  was  accejit- 
ed  as  a  £40  proju  ictor,  Dec.  12,  1711.  lie  became  a  "  cloth- 
weaver,"  learning  his  trade  of  his  uncle,  with  whom  he  con- 
tinued to  live  after  nmrriage,  managing  the  farm,  and  taking 
care  of  tlie  "  old  folks."  In  June,  1713,  his  father,  by  adop- 
tion, deeded  to  him  a  jiart  of  his  property,  and  at  his  death 
gave  him  a  larLre  projxirtion  of  the  remainder,  by  will.  After 
the  decease  of  IStanley,  Clark  occupied  tlie  old  homestead. 
Ilere  he  wove  "  plain  cloth  at  ls-3d  pr.  yard,"*  '*  checkerd 
shirtin  at  Is  3d  per  yard  "  druged  [drugget]  at  12d.  a 
yard strii)ed  flannel,  *fec.,  &c.  He  probably  occupied 
himself  at  his  loom  during  the  winter  season  and  in  bad  weath- 
er. He  continued  to  cultivate  his  farm  and  exchanged  its  sur- 
plus products  for  the  spare  products  of  his  neighbors'  in- 
dnstry.  He  had  a  slave,  named  Mingo,t  who,  wlien  not  need- 
ed at  home,  worked  for  those  who  waiited  him,  for  hire. 
When  his  sons  became  old  enough — Timothy,  Tliomas,  David 
— they  occasionally  labored  at  farm  work,  for  others,  frequent- 
ly wiUi  the  team,  and  their  wages  were  charged  to  the  debt- 
ors by  their  &ther.  The  girls,  too— Mary,  Sarah,  Hannah, 
Hepaibah — though  belonging  to  one  of  the    first  families  ^ 

*  The  book  In  which  hf  kppt  his  "accounts,"  cnrnmonrtni*  In  1  HT.  !■  nnw  In  IIIJ  Jlim— inn, 
having  been  loaned  mc  bjr  his  granddaughter,  Mrs.  Aureita  Clark, 
til  DM.Otart%dMtli,  Ming*  «u  tolMptnBlttodtodMaMvhldi  of  litiaMt«r*taeBS  h* 

would  llvewlth.  D«'!np  attached  to  M»  oM  home,  he  resldctl  for  a  tlnu- with  Ttioma*  ;  hut  after 
the  latter  commenced  keeping  tavern,  he  did  not  like  hit  occupatirn  and  went  to  live  with 
TlfMthy,  on  Tova  PM.  Bt  41od,  worth  ooiwMorftMe  proporty,  in  18N. 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


ft<-i.L  '<1  Lj^' 

'■'''>  ''5' 


,  .ft' 


Digitized  by  Google 


,  Google 


HI8T0BY  OF  WATERBUBT. 


145 


of  the  town,  and  having  more  than  the  nsnal  accomplish- 
ments of  that  time,  frequently  went  out  to  work"  hj  the 
day,  or  the  week,  thnB  contributing  to  the  support  of  a  numer- 
ous family.  Honest  labor  was  in  those  days  respectable,  and 
none  was  too  good  to  engage  in  it  In  addition  to  his  other 
business,  Mr.  Clark  seems  to  have  kept  for  sale  some  of  the 
common  goods  which  are  found  in  a  retail  store,8uch  as  **  shng- 
ger,"  molasses,  salt,  wine,  rumb,**  tobacco,  nails.  He  ap- 
pears to  have  bought  his  goods  sometimes  in  Derby  and  some- 
times in  New  Haven.  He  also  occasionally  t6ok  boarders, 
and  has  several  charges  against  die  Colony  for  ^Mcteling"  sol- 
diers that  were  passing  through  the  town.  Being  aj)|>ointed 
a  justice  of  the  peace  in  173G,  (which  office  he  held  twenty- 
five  out  of  the  twenty-nine  years  of  his  remaining  life,)  he  be- 
came somewhat  acquainted  with  legal  forms,  and  was  often 
a{>|)lied  to  to  draw  deeds,  bonds,  agreements  and  such  simple 
writings  as  are  most  called  for  among  a  niral  population. 

No  man  in  his  day  succeeded  more  completely  in  securing 
the  good  opinion  and  entire  confidence  of  his  fellow  towns- 
men, than  Thomas  Clark.  lie  occupied  positions  of  trust  and 
responsibility.  Ho  was  a  selectman  in  1834,  1736  and  1737; 
a  town  deputy  in  Oct.  1727,  1728  and  1730;  town  treasurer 
from  17.').>  to  1700  an<l  a  ju^tiee  of  the  peace,  as  has  been  men- 
tioned. On  Mr.  Soiitliniayd's  death  in  1755,  he  was  cliosea 
town  and  pntprietur's  elerl^,  and  was  continued  in  ofBce  till  his 
decease.  He  wrote  not  an  ele«rant,  but  a  very  legible  hand. 
He  was  tlie  tliird  deacon  of  tlie  eliureli,  being  appointed  in 
17*-'^  to  sueeeed  Doa.  Hiekox,  wlio  died  in  tliat  year. 

Thomas  ('lark's  son  Tlionias  succeeded  Ins  father  in  the  oc- 
cui)ancy  of  the  homestead,  and  ke[)t  a  tavern  till  his  decease, 
Oct.  25,  177!>.  Tlie  house  was  the  scene  of  some  interesting 
events  during  tlic  Kevolutionary  War.  (\ij>t.  Lemuel  Har- 
rison's dwelling  was  built,  for  the  mofitpurt,  uu  the  same  foun- 
dations as  the   old  Clark  house." 

JOSEIMI  (JAYLORD. 

He  was  the  son  of  Walter  (Javlord  ami  the  irraiidson  of 
Dea.  William  Gavlord  of  Wimlsnr;  tlie  latter  a  leading  man. 
of  that  town,   lie  was  bom  May  13,  lU4i^,  and  m.  July  14, 

10 


Digitized  by  Google 


146 


UlSTOEY  OF  WATERBUUY. 


1670,  Sarah,  d.  of  John  Stanley  of  Farmmgton.  Whether  he 
remoYed  from  Windsor  first  to  Farmington  and  then  to  Mat- 
tatnck,  or  directlj  from  Windsor  to  Mattatnck,  is  nncertain. 
He  was  not  one  of  the  first  snhscribers  of  the  articles ;  bnt  was 
accepted  Jan.  15, 16Y7,  (1677-8.)  He  came  to  Mattatnck  early, 
probably  in  the  spring  of  1678,  and  is  named  in  the  four  divis- 
ions of  fence.  Still,  he  did  not  keep  his  engagements,  and  his 
right  was  declared  foi-foitcd,  Feb.  1682-3.  But  he  "submit- 
ted," and  by  better  performance,  regained  and  perfected  his  title 
to  an  £80  propriety.  lie  is  mentioned  in  ull  tla*  lists  of  proprie- 
tors, lie  was  collector  of  ministers  rates  in  1698,  1090  and 
ITOO.  In  lf)S7,  his  lot  of  three  acres  was  on  the  corner  of  East 
and  North  Main  streets — south  and  west  on  hiij^lnvay,  north 
on  John  Stanley  and  east  on  coninion.  This  place,  with  the 
house  and  barn,  he  sold,  Feb.  2,  170.*],  (1703-4,)  to  Stephen 
Welton,  s<in  of  Jolm,  reserving  a  (juarter  of  an  acre  at  the 
east  end  on  which  his  son  Joseph  had  erected  a  dwelling. 
After  this,  he  built  a  house  at  l^reakneck,  (or  at  any  rate  he 
owned  one  there  with  twenty-two  acres  of  land,)  which  he  sold 
and  deeded,  Feb.  20,  1705-0,  to  John  Bronson, '••  son  of  Isaac,'' 
as  already  stated.  AVhetlier  he  lived  for  a  time  at  IJieakneck,  I 
Imve  no  means  of  ascertaining  with  certainty,  though  it  is 
probal)le  he  did.  Most  likely  he  sold  out  as  a  preparation  for 
removing  from  the  tow^n.  Several  members  of  his  family  had 
already  gone  to  Durham,  and  he  soon  followed,  there  being 
no  traces  of  him  in  Waterbury  after  the  sale  referred  to.  I 
find  him  in  Durham  in  the  early  part  of  1708,  where  he  died 
before  1713. 
Children : 

1.  Sanb;  b.  July  11, 1671 ;  m.  fhouM  Judd,  known  u  Thomas  Judd,  Jr. 

2.  Jo!»opli ;  b.  April  22,  1678;  m.  Feb.  8,  1699-17rK>,  Mary,  d.  of  Joseph 
Ilii  kdx,  (UhmI.,  of  Woodbury,  and  had  three  children,  Eli/Jiheth,  Joseph  («lied  in 
infancy)  and  Thankful,  all  born  in  Waterbury.  He  was  chosen  fence  viewer  in 
1698  and  1703,  and  admitted  to  bachelor  priTilegea  In  16M.  Se  btdlt  a  house 
on  Bast  Main  street,  on  the  east  end  of  Us  fkther's  lot.  In  April,  1908,  the  propri- 
etors granted  him  and  his  brothers  John  and  WUUaitt,  and  Richard  Porter,  **  eight 
acres  apiece,  nt  the  place  they  talk  of  poiTitr  tn  live  at  on  the  west  side  [the  river], 
provided  tlu-y  go  and  live  IIhtc  with  thrir  f.uniHe«.*'  To  tliis  place,  pn  .-;n!in>d  to 
be  Ureakneciv,  where  his  father  built  a  house,  he  (and  the  others)  did  not  go. 
Afterwards,  probably  in  170S  or  1704,  be  and  bis  bro^ier  John  erected  houses  on 
Buduhill  and  remored  thither.  Thej  were,  bowerer,  not  contented ;  but  soon 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBSBUBT. 


147 


pulled  up  and  wont  to  PiirlKiin.  .lonepli  had  l«'ft  iis  early  as  Jan.  7,  170r)-t>.  The 
names  of  both  aud  that  ol'  tlieir  father,  and  ahK)  of  their  brothers-in-law,  Jo{«epb 
•nd  Stephen  Hlckox,  are  mentioned  in  the  petent  of  Dnrfaam,  in  1708.  In  Oct. 
1708,  for  "eleven  pounds  in  building  end  four  ponnde  teen  ahlllinge  to  be  dun 
^n  worck  at  s.*  durrum,"  Gaylord  deeded  to  Richard  Welton  his  howt>  and  lot  of 
pevon  a«Tr«  at  Kui-kxliill — "cast  on  hi^'hway,  we:«t  on  Paid  Gayland's land, eouth 
on  John  Gayland's  hou.se  lot,  north  on  John  Warner's  house  lot." 

Joseph  Gavknd,  2d,  after  having  lived  in  Durham  many  years,  removed  to 
WaWngford.  He  and  Us  brothen,  John  and  Bei^aniin,  and  his  sister,  Joanna 
Royce,  were  in  the  latter  place  in  1722.  **  Joseph  Oaylord,  Jr.,**  was  in  Water- 
bury  in  ITUO,  apparently  from  Wallinpford. 

3.  John  ;  h.  April  21,  1677  ;  was  one  of  the  fir.st  nine  bachelor  proprietors,  ad- 
mitted .March  26,  Ue  lived  by  the  side  of  his  brother  Joseph  on  itucksiuU, 
having  a  lot  of  six  and  three  qnarter  aeres,  bvtUng  north  on  Joseph  Oaylord,  Jr's 
hoose  lot,  east  and  south  on  liighwaj,  west  on  common,  which  he  bought  of  "John 
Warner  i  f  Ilnckahill."  He  removed  with  his  elder  brother  to  Durham,  and  finally 
to  Walliii^Mord,  where  he  d.  about  1758.  1 1  i.n  will  was  presented  to  the  Probate 
Court  in  New  Haven  the  first  Monday  in  January,  1754,  in  which  he  names  six 
sons  and  live  daughters.  His  estate  in  WaUingford  amounted  to  £1,995,  and  in 
Familngton  to  about  £660. 

Sarah,  Joseph  and  John  Oajlord,  children  of  Joseph,  Sen.,  were  bom  in  Windsor. 

4.  William.  He  was  accepted  as  a  £10  proprietor,  March,  17»"1,  but  forfeited  his 
right,  removed  to  Woodbury  and  joined  the  church  there,  Jan.  17ot',.  He 
was  among  those  taxed  for  the  "North  I'urchase  '  in  1712,  (Cothren,  Vol  1,  p.  83.) 
Afterwards  he  removed  to  New  MQIbrd,*  where  he  d.  about  1758.  Hb  will  was 
approved  Kov.  28,  1768,  In  which  is  mentioned  his  wifti  M ercj  and  rix  children. 
He  was  an  eni^ign,  and  his  first  wife's  name  was  Joanna,  who  joined  the  church  in 
WooiliHiry,  Dec.  7  th,  1712.  His  SOU  Nathan,  of  Mew  Milford,  m.  Hannah,  d.  of 
John  iironson,  son  of  Isaac. 

5.  Benjamin.   He  lived  in  Durham. 

6.  Eliabeth;  b.  1680;  m.  (the  same  day  as  her  brother  Joseph)  Joseph 
Hickox,  son  of  Sergt  Samuel,  deceased. 

7.  Mary ;  m.  March  4, 1701-8,  Stephen,  son  of  John  Welton,  1st,  and  d.  July 

18,  I7t»y. 

8.  Abagail;  b.  in  Waterbury,  and  bap.  in  Farmington,  Not.  7,  1686,  and  m. 
James  Williams.  They  both  Hved  In  Hartford  in  March,  1722. 

9.  Joanna ;  m.  Bobert  Royce.  They  were  both  of  WalUngford,  Nov.  1722. 

10.  Ruth ;  m.  Stephen  Hickox,  and  lived  In  Durham. 

THOMAS  HANCOX. 

He  was  an  early  settler  of  Farmington  and  one  of  the 
eighty-four  proprietors  of  1672.  He  was  one  of  tlie  first  thirty 
who  signed  the  Mattatnck  articles ;  but  was  dilatory  in  his 
movements,  and  is  not  mentioned  in  the  first  three  divisions  of 


*  He  !->  j>tat(.<l,  erroneooslr.ln  the  extracU  from  Mr.  OrtovoM^  StnaOBtta  Barkst**  OoB. 
Historical  CoUMttons,  to  bav«  cobm  flron  Windsor. 


Digitized  by  Google 


us 


HIBTOKY  OF  WATEKBUBY. 


fence.  lie  was  among  the  delinquents  wliose  allotments  were 
condemned  bv  the  act  of  Feh.  ;  but  he  subscribed  f  June 

4,  1083)  to  the  new  conditions  imjiosed  hy  that  act,  "retnrni- 
ed,"  and  was  restored  to  his  rights,  having  a  £100  propriety. 
I  cannot  find  that  he  did  anything  to  preserve  his  memory  in 
Mattatuck  ;  but  he  left  his  name  to  the  brook  and  meadows 
at  AVaterville.  liis  house  and  liome  lot  of  one  and  three  (quar- 
ter acres  were  on  the  north  side  of  West  Main  street.  Tlie  lot 
was  bounded  north  and  south  on  hitchwav,  east  on  Thomas 
Newell  and  west  on  Robert  Porter.  These  llancox  sold,  to- 
gether with  other  lands  and  his  propriety  right,  in  Feb. 
lCST-8,  to  Lieut.  Judd,  and  quit  the  town,  shaking  the  dust 
from  his  feet,  perhaps.  He  probably  left  about  the  time  of 
the  above  sale,  lie  was  in  Farmington  Dec.  22d,  1G8S,  in 
Hartford  June,  1695,  and  iu  FarmingtOD,  (KeneingtoD,)  again, 
Jan. 1720-21. 

Thomas  Hanoox  m.  March  17, 1684-^,  Rachel  Leonard  of 

Springfield. 
Children : 

1.  Thomas;  b.  March  18,  1685-n,  and  lived  in  ITartford and  Boston. 

2.  .lohn;  b.  Aup.  1,  IfiRR,  and  lived  in  Springfield. 

3.  William;  b.  March  1,  1690-91,  and  d.  1721. 

4.  Rachel ;  b.  Feb.  7,  1692-8,  and  d.  1787. 

5.  Daniel;  b.  Jan.  1, 1694-^,  and  m.  June  4, 1784,  Rachel  PoHer. 

6.  Hehitabel ;  b.  Deo.  4,  1698,  and  m.  Ebeneier  Barnea. 

HICKOX. 

The  planters  of  "Waterbury  bearing  this  name,  Samuel  and 
Josei>]i,  are  supposed  to  have  l>een  brothei>,  and  8ons  of  Wil- 
liam Iliekox  of  Farmington,  one  of  the  original  jiroprietors 
and  first  settlei's  of  that  town.  The  latter  died  early.  Tlie 
names  of  w^amuel  and  Joseph  are  on  the  list  of  the  proprietors 
of  Farmington,  iu  1672. 

SAMUEL  HICKOX. 

He  was  one  of  the  original  thirty,  and  is  helieved  to  have 
been  a  member  of  the  first  company  tliat  came  to  our  town. 
He  was  one  of  tlic  assignees  of  the  first  Indian  deed,  and  is 
named  in  all  the  fence  divisions  and  proprietoi*s'  lists.  So  far 
as  appears,  he  never  once  halted  in  the  work  he  had  underta* 
ken.   He  lived  where  C.  B.  Merriman  now  resides,  having  a 


Digitized  by  Google 


HIBIOBr  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


149 


home  lot  of  two  acres,  houiuli'd,  in  March,  1G90-91,  south  on 
lii«;]nvav,  iiortli  on  lii«rhhin<l,"  west  on  Joseph  Ilickox's 
lieirg,  and  ca.-t  on  l>enjaniin  J^arnes.  lie  was  called  sergeant 
as  early  as  IflSO.  AVhen  the  train-hand  was  organized,  or  re- 
orrranized,  after  the  resinnption  of  the  colonial  government 
under  the  cliarter,  he  was  api)ointed  sergeant  and  was  ever  af- 
terwards known  a^  J>erg.  Samuel  llickox.  lie  held  difTcrent 
offices  by  appointment  of  the  grand  committee  and  j>roprie- 
tors — was  townsman  in  t\:c.    He  was  one  of  the  leading 

men  of  the  settlement,  and  died  at  his  post,  at  a  critical  time, 
when  mea  of  tlio  right  stamp  could  be  poorly  spared.  Ilis 
inventory  waa  taken  Feb.  28, 1694-5,  amountiDg  to  £434. 
Cliildreii: 

1.  SuBiwl ;  b.  1M9 ;  m.  April  16^  1690,  EBttbeth,  d.  of  John  Plumb  of  Milford. 

He  had  a  grant  of  land  from  the  proprietors  when  he  was  l)Ut  eightoon  years  old, 
"three  arros  at  Pine  swamp  hy  the  path  that  leads  to  tho  a.iw-niill."  Jan.  2<», 
1692,  be  bad  two  acrea  granted  "  on  the  side  of  che«)uut  hill  near  to  his  boggy 
mMdow  conTenient  for  a  yard/'  (for  drying  cloth  *)  He'Hvod  on  the  oorner  of 
East  Main  and  Cherry  atreeta,  where  he  had  bdlk  a  hooae  before  Sept  1708. 
Thu  place,  bounded  west  on  Stephen  Welton  and  Samutd  Stanley,  north  on 
John  Dronson,  south  and  east  on  liiL'liway,  he  emi veycii,  .Jan.  'jn.  17n5-fi,  to  liis 
brother  Thoiii:is.  the  latter  1ki\  in;:  Imilt  hiui  a  liarn  and  cliiniiiey  and  deeded  to 
him  tiixteeu  acres  of  laud  at  Judd'd  Meadow.  The  baru  and  cbiuiuey  were  proba- 
bly at  Jndd*a  Meadow,  where  Samoel  *'had  set  his  hoaae"  aa  eariy  aa  Dee.  21, 
1703,  and  where  he  was  certainly  fivh^;  before  December,  1705.  Ho  wat*  probably 
the  first  settler  of  Naugatuck.  lie  erected  a  fulling-mill  on  FulHng-Mill  Hrook  (so 
callfd  from  the  mill)  ul)oiit  ITno,  and  his  hon>e  was  by  the  broolt.  Some  of  his 
land.s  "  ran  acroM  the  road  that  led  to  New  iiaveu.'^ 

Samuel  Hickox  died  in  the  great  siclwess,  June  3, 1713,  and  his  widow,  Oct  17, 
1749.  They  had  ten  children,  ris  of  whom  lived  to  be  married.  Ebeneaer  and 
John  were  bachelor  proprietors.  The  first,  after  1741,  femoTOd  to  Danbury  and 
Norwalk,  and  tlie  last,  before  July,  1720,  to  Durham. 

2.  Hannah;  l».  lt">71  ;  m.  John  Judd  of  Waterbury. 

8.  William;  b.  Iti73  ;  m.  about  1G*J6,  Rebecca,  d.  of  Abraham  .\ndru8s  (1st,) 
and  d.  XoT.  4, 1787.  He  was  a  bachelor  proprietor  and  man  of  note — grand  juror, 
school  committee,  mrreyor,  constable,  townsman,  (many  times,)  moderator  of 
town  meeting,  captain  iu  1727,  and  deputy  in  1728.  He  was  always  known  by 
h\-*  military  title.  lie  lived  where  the  church  of  the  First  Conpregational  Society 
now  titands.  Tho  place  he  bought  of  Jo^^eph  llickox  (son  of  Joseph,  deed.)  of 
Woodbury,  May  17,  1699.  The  lot,  contiuning  two  acres,  was  boimded,  March 
la,  1704-6,  north  on  eommon  land,  sooth  tm  highway,  east  on  a  house  lot  of  the 
heirs  of  Serg.  Hickox,  deed.,  west  on  a  houM  lot  of  the  heirs  of  Philip  Judd, 
deed.  The  house  lot  which  was  I'hilip  Judd's  he  afterwards  purchased.  Still 
1  ater,  be  came  into  possesi^ion  of  three  ciuarters  of  his  fatlu'r's  homestead.  In  Sept. 
1782,  for  £800,  be  deeded  all  to  Samuel  Camp,  sou  of  Edward,  of  Milford,  seven 


Digitized  by  Google 


150 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBRBDBT. 


acres,  with  the  bouse,  bam,  and  mill-house,  butted  cast  oo  land  of  Jo.<<e|ih  Siuitb, 
north  on  Samuel  SeoU,  ton  of  George,  west  on  Dea.  Clarit,  aoath  on  highway,  re* 
aenring  one  quarter  part  of  his  father^s  lot  belonging  to  the  hdis  of  Thomas 
nickox,  deed.,  and  reserving  also  *'  twenty  foot  square  of  land  down  the  hill  near 
the  mill  house  as  it  is  stoned  out."  This  property,  with  the  snnic  reservations, 
Camp  (who  then  improved  it)  couvcycd^  in  1786,  for  £185,  to  Dea.  Thomas  Judd. 

CapL  William  BMcoz  lost  three  sons  In  the  great  sickness  of  1718.  One  son 
only,  O^it.  Samuel,  surriTecl  him  and  had  a  ftmlly.  His  wUl  bean  date  Jan.  4, 
1782-3.  Among  Us  efbcts  were  Lewis,  a  negro  man    £140,  and  **  flllis  a  mgeo 

woman  "  @  £100. 

4.  Thomas;  b.  1675  ;  m.  Mary,  (hiuphtt'r  of  Serf?.  I-iaac  Uronson,  and  d.  June  '28, 
1728.  Ui^  widow  married  Dea.  Samuel  liuU  of  Woodbury,  and  died  a  widow. 
March  88, 1694,  he  had  a  grant  of  land,  four  acres  for  a  house  lot,  on  the  west  tMm 
of  Carrington  Brook,  on  the  south  dde  of  the  Ughwaj  to  Farmlngton ;  but  he  does 
not  appear  to  have  built  on  it.  He  was  made  a  bachelor  proprietor  in  1899 ;  was 
grand  juror,  school  committee,  and  townsman,  at  diflerent  times  ;  reprcstMited  the 
town  in  the  Legislature  two  sessions,  in  1722  and  1723,  and  was  appointed  a  deacon 
in  1724,  being  the  second  who  had  held  thia  oiBce  in  the  church.  He  is  called 
i*  husbandman  **  in  a  deed.  His  residmice  was  on  the  oomer  of  East  Main  and 
Cherry  streets,  being  the  place  he  bought  of  hia  brother  Samuel  in  1706-6.  He 
died  in  the  prime  of  life,  much  regretted.  His  estate  was  valued  at  £1,851,  and  his 

homestead  at  £140. 

5.  Joseph  ;  b.  1678,  aud  ui.  Elizabeth  Gaylord.  lie  was  accepted  as  a  bachelor 
proprietor,  March  26, 1609,  and  in  the  same  month  reoelTed  a  grant  of  land  on 
y*  east  dde  of  y*  Uttle  brook  buting  on  gorg  seott  hom  lot  bdng  a  triangle  peace 
betwein  y*  highways  for  a  hons  lot  on  condition  y'  he  fence  and  improue  it  four 

yoirs  not  to  prepedis  y«  liifrh  wayes  nor  hinder  y*  town  coming  to  y*  claypits." 
On  this  lot,  which  lay  between  North  Ualn  and  Grove  streets,  east  of  Andrew 
Bryan  s  house,  Ilickox  built  a  house,  which  he  deeded,  with  three  and  a  half  acres 
of  land,  to  John  Judd,  (let,)  Nov.  6, 17]4,*bounded  east,  west,  north  and  south,  on 
hij^way.  He  obtained  the  office  of  "chimney  viewer  in  1701  and  1708,  and 
begat  two  children,  Joseph  and  Hannah,  Uoth  of  whom  (and  also  a  sister,  Ruth) 
were  living  in  1725-6.  Being  satisfied  «ith  what  he  had  done  for  Waterbury,  and 
having  made  fast  his  propriety  right,  be  quit  the  place,  going  to  Durham  with  the 
Gaylords,  where  he  died  in  1726.  He  wu  a  cm  pcuter. 

6.  Mary ;  b.  1681 ;  m.  John  Branson,  son  of  Isaac,  and  died  **  March  21, 1718.** 
.   7.  Elizabeth  ;  bap^  KoT.  13, 1682 ;  m.  Dec.  1724,  John  Norton,  (of  Durham, 

previously  of  Saybrook  ?) 

8.  Stephen;  bap.  April  12,  Itisri.  and  m.  Knth  Gayloni.  He  was  admitted  a 
bachelor  proprietor,  Jan.  7,  1706-0  ;  but  soon  caught  the  run-away  fever  and 
followed  his  brother  and  &ther-in4aw  to  Durham,  thus  losing  his  bachdor  right. 
He  was  one  of  those  whose  fiwlings  were  hurt  that  the  proprietors  should  give 
away  their  lands  so  liberally,  he  having  a  small  interest  after  the  decease  of  his 
father.  His  death  took  place  before  17:n-H.  lie  had  sons  and  daughters,  Sam- 
uel, Stephen,  Ruth  Johnson  and  Sarah  Spclman. 

9.  Benjamin ;  b.  1686.  He  was  '*  of  Stamford  **  in  1716,  and  had  a  suit  in  the 
Superior  Court  at  Vsirfield^  about  a  negro  boy,  Dunboy,  whom  ho  chdmed  and 
had  attached.  He  was  UtU^^  hi  Norwalk  in  May,  1786. 


Digitized  by  Google 


BI8T0BT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


151 


10.  Mercy  ;  hap.  April  8,  lfi89. 

11.  Ebcnezer;  b.  ltiU3.  He  chose,  in  1707,  bis  brother  William  his  guardian. 
He  wu  in  Danbury  la  June,  17S3. 

JOSEPH  HICKOX. 

I  fiappose  him  to  have  been  yonnger  than  his  brother  Bam- 
nel.  He  subscribed  the  articles  in  1674,  and  had  a  $60  allot- 
ment He  was  early  in  Mattatuck,  but  was  not  there  in  a 
steady  way,"  I  conclude;  for  though  his  name  is  in  die  first, 
second  and  fourth  fence  divisions,  it  is  not  in  the  third.  He 
lived  next  west  of  his  brother  Samuel,  between  the  latter  and 
Philip  Judd,  having  a  lot  of  two  acres.  This  lot,  bounded 
north  on  common  land,  his  son  Joseph  sold  and  conveyed, 
May  17,  1690,  to  his  cousin  William  Hickox,  as  before  stated. 

Only  the  scantiest  memorials  remain  of  Joseph  Hickox, 
first.  lie  was  the  first  proprietor  that  left  the  settlement,  (and 
the  first  tliat  died.)  lie  reniovoil  to  Woodhury,  (Soiithbury,) 
in  the  early  jiart  of  lG8t> ;  joined  the  church  there  May  2d, 
168G,  and  died  in  1687.  IHs  estate  amounted  to  £107  in  Wa- 
terbury  and  i;  100  in  Woodbury. 

JOHN  HOPKIK& 

His  grandfather,  Jnlm  Hopkins,  settled  at  Cand)rid<j^e,Mass., 
in  16o4;  was  made  a  freeman  in  liui5,  and  removed  to  Hartford, 
in  16S(J,  where  he  became  a  juror,  in  164^^.  It  U  not  known 
what  relation,  if  any,  he  bore  to  Stephen  Hopkins,  wlio  came 
to  Plymouth,  ^fass.,  in  1G20,  or  to  Edward  Hopkins,  who  ar- 
rived at  Boston  in  1637,  afterwards  govern<irof  Connecticut. 
He  could  not,  liowever,  have  been  a  near  relative  of  the  last. 
His  will  was  dated  in  1648,  and  the  inventorv  of  his  estate 
taken  April  14,  1654.  He  left  a  widow  Jane,  who  after- 
wards married  Natlianiel  Ward,  and  two  children,  Stephen 
and  Betliiah.  The  last  mt^ried  ^amucl  Stockiw?-of*  Middle- 
town.  \i  ii A      ^  (  Af 

Stephen  Hopkins,  the  father  of  John  of  Waterbury,  made 
a  freeman  1656,  married  Dorcas,  daughter  of  John  Bronson, 
Ist,  of  Farmington.  lie  died  about  1689,  and  his  widow, 
May  10, 1697.  His  will  bore  date  Sept.  28,  1680,  and  his  in- 
ventory, (amounting  to  £591,)  Nov.  6,  16S9.  His  children 
named  in  his  will,  were : 


HIBTOSY  OF  ^VATi::KBUBY, 


1.  John ;  2.  Stephen ;  h.  Id65 ;  m.  Sarah,  d.  of  Lieut.  Thomas 

J udd  and  Hannah  ^   He  had  children,  Thomas,  Sarah  and 

Bachel,  and  d.  1704.  3.  Ebenezer ;  b.  1669,  and  m.  Haiy 
Bntler,  d.  of  Samuel  of  "Wethersfield,  Jan.  21,  1691.  4.  Jo- 
seph ;  111.  Hannah,  d.  of  Paul  Peck  of  Hartford,  April  27, 
1693.  5.  Dorcas;  m.  Jonathan  Webbter,  May  11,  1681.  6. 
Mary ;  m.  Samuel  Sedgwick. 

John  Hopkins,  the  son  of  Stei>lien  ut"  Hartford,  came  to 
Mattatufk  tu  tend  liis  fatlier's  mill.  The  mill  was  built  ap- 
parently in  lOSO,  and  John  probably  took  eliar<j;e  of  it  at  that 
time.  He  did  not  however  become  a  ]»roi>rii"tor  immediately. 
Perhaps  he  was  not  then  of  age.  His  name  is  not  on  either 
of  tlie  fence-division  lists,  so  frequently  referred  to.  The  fath- 
er had  a  house  lot  granted  him,  Feb.  5,  1680-81,  which  was 
probably  intended  for  the  son.  llie  latter  is  fii-st  mentioneil, 
Feb.  6,  1G82,  (1682-3,)  when  Dea.  Lankton's  forfeited  allot- 
ments were  confirmed  to  him  by  the  committee.  He  was  then 
called  "  the  present  miller."' 

John  Hopkins  was  one  of  the  most  respected  and  influen- 
tial of  the  early  settlers  of  Waterlnirv.  He  irnmnd  the  i)e^>- 
pie's  corn,  "  corn  being  suitable  to  grind,"  and  was  one  of  the 
youngest  of  the  original  proprietors.  He  subscribed  to  the  £60 
settlement  of  the  lii-st  minister ;  was  townsman  in  1692,  and 
several  times  afterwards ;  constable  in  1702 ;  grand  juror  for 
two  years;  depntyin  1704,  and  many  times  from  1708  to  1720; 
justice  of  the  peace  from  1725  to  1729,  inclusive.  He  held 
the  office  of  town  clerk  in  1713.  He  wrote  his  own  signature 
in  a  fair  hand ;  but  his  chirograpliy  was  generally  bad  and  his 
ink  poor,  making  the  records,  as  kept  by  him,  difficult  to  deci- 
pher. He  was  also  tavern  keeper  from  1712  to  1718,  inclusive, 
and  probably  earlier,  and  ordinary  keeper"  in  1714  and 
1715.  He  obtained,  too,  military  honors  so  much  sought  for 
in  his  day,  being  sergeant  in  1714,  ensign  in  1715,  and  lieu- 
tenant in  1716.  After  the  latter  date,  he  was  known  as  Left. 
Hopkins.  When  the  new  meeting  house  came  to  be  seated 
in  1729,  he  was  one  of  the  revered  dignitaries  who  were  voted 
into  the  first  pew  at  the  west  end  of  the  pulpit." 

John  Hopkins'  house  lot  was  situated  on  the  corner  of  East 
Main  and  Bank  streets.    It  contained  two  acres,  and  was 


Digitized  by  Google 


UI8T0KY  OF  WATEBBUKY. 


153 


bounded,  Dec.  26,  1G91,  north  and  west  on  highway,  south  on 
ThomaR  Warner,  and  east  on  common  land.    The  house  stood 

on  Main  street  a  little  eaat  of  the  lane  put  down  on  the  map  as 
Brook  street. 

John  Hopkins  wa^  a  large  laiKiliMMcr.  He  gave  away 
jiiucli  land  during  his  life  time  to  liis  children,  by  deed  ;  still, 
lie  left  a  considerable  estate.  He  died  Xov.  ]032,  bis  inven- 
tory amounting  to  £l,2r.l,  15s.  Hib  wife's  name  was  Hannah 
 ,  and  theii*  children  were; 

1.  A  daii<rht«  r;  b.  D«e.  S2d,  1684,  and  d.  Jui.  4, 1684-ft— (he  death  bdng  the 

first  roi-ordod  in  the  town. 

2.  John;  b.  March  29,  Ifibti;  bap.  in  liartford  aad  dit'd  in  Hartford,  Dec.  5, 
1709. 

8.  Couider;  b.  Not.  10, 1887;  n.  Elisabeth  Graham,  "relict  of  George  Gra- 
ham of  Hartford,"  and  died  in  Hartford  in  1728. 

4.  Stephen;  b.  Nov.  19,  1689,  andiBed  17^9.  lie  received  "bachelor  accom* 
liKulHtiotjs,"  In  1712;  was  townsninn  In  1724  and  afterwards;  d«'puty  many 
ttuieMallvr  1732;  i^pcciul  ageut  to  the  General  Court,  iii  1737  aud  1738,  &c.  He 
was  a  promlMnft  man  in  hia  day.  His  house  waa  near  the  vest  comer  of  East 
Main  and  Mill  streeta.  The  lot  his  &ther  bought  of  Richard  Porter  in  Maj,  1711, 
described  as  "  before  Thomas  nickox*^  house,  two  acres,  east,  west  and  north  on 
highway,  south  on  common  land."  In  Oct.  1713,  the  "town"  prantrd  to  Slt  phc-n 
Hopkins  one  and  a  half  aoroM,  (laid  out  as  two  ac  res/)  smitli  (if  the  aliovc  land,  and 
at^joining  to  it.  lu  June,  1718,  the  father  deeded  to  the  t$uu  Liij  two  acre:;,  on 
which  a  houae  had  been  bidlt,  Taluing  both  to  him  at  £85.  Afterwarda,  (Dec  11, 
17S8,)  the  fattter  aold  the  honae  and  lot  of  four  acrea,  bounded  north,  aouth,  eaat 
and  west  on  highway,  to  Jonathan  Gamaej,  and  Gamaey  oonTeyed  tt,  Maroh 

19,  ITMa,  to  Thomas  Harnes. 

bftepheu  Hopkins  I  suppose  to  have  as!>isted  hi.s  father  in  the  care  of  the  mill. 
After  the  death  of  the  Utter,  Stephen  and  Timotbj,  executors  of  the  will  of  the 
deceased,  sold  oot  the  mill  and  mill  hmda,  the  deed  beating  date  Jan.  1788-8.  About 
this  time,  probably,  (certainly  before  Oct.  7,  1734,)  Stephen  removed  to  Judd'a 
Meadow,  locating  bimaelf  on,  or  near,  the  New  HaTon  road  and  Fulling  Mill 
Brook. 

.•i.  Timothy;  b.  Nov.  16,  1691,  and  d.  Feb.  5,  1748-9.*  He  had  a  bachelor 
right  granted  hbn  in  1716^  He  waa  a  fioiner ;  waa  called  **7eoman"  and  '*  hua* 
bendman,"  in  deeda,  and  had  much  to  do  with  pnbUo  bnrineea    He  waa  on  oere- 

ral  occasions,  constable,  aeclectman,  grand  juror  and  moderator  of  town  meeting. 

He  wa.""  justice  of  the  peace  from  1734  to  1742  iuclu.'-ivi',  uiul,  for  many  years, 
A  representative  to  the  Genoral  Court.  He  obtained  military  (listim  tiou,  and  hu.h 
made  a  captain  in  1782.    No  man  of  ttte  town  sceuis  to  have  tiad,  in  u  greater  de- 

gree,  the  oonfldenoe  of  the  pnbUe. 

*  Ob  Us  tenMeat^  now  staadloff,  ii  thu  not  -nfniiff'ar  vwse : 

When  this  jroa  ws, 
Th«a  think  on  me. 


Digitized  by  Google 


15^ 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATESBU&Y. 


Tbnotliy  Hopkins,  ai\er  his  BMrrioge,  UT«d  iHth  Kb  &therf  the  latter  having 
conveyed  to  him,  in  June,  1719,  by  deed,  one  halfof  the  house  and  homestead  of  two 

acres,  valuing  them  to  him  at  £  I0  advaiwrnnent.  After  the  decease  of  the  father, 
the  son  became  the  owner  of  the  whole  ;  and  in  Ainil,  lT4o,  added  to  it  the  lot  (with 
a  house)  adjoining  on  the  south,  two  and  three  quarter  acres,  bought  of  John  I'un- 
derson  of  New  Ilavea,  and  which  Punderson  purchased  of  James  Johnson,  bound- 
ed west  on  highway,  Ae.  The  entire  lot,  then  celled  four  and  a  half  acrea,  the 
eon  conveyed  "with  the  buildings,  fencings,  orcharding,^'  &c.,  April  ith,  1743, 
to  Lieut.  Julin  Bronfon,  for  £540  old  tenor,  bounded  southerly  on  Stephen  Upson, 
easterly  on  Jonathan  lialdwin's  home  lot,  kv. 

Aflcr  the  sale  of  Iuh  homestead,  Cupt.  Hopkins  a{)pcars  to  have  owned  a  house 
and  other  bufldings  beyond  the  ymits  <»f  the  villsge,  out  Esst,  whither  he,  per^ 
hape,  removed. 

Samuel;  b.  Dec.  27,  1093.    He  settled  in  West  Springfield. 

7.  Mary;  h.  Jan.  27,  lt>«J0-7;  ni.  Samuel  llickox. 

8.  llauuah;  b.  April  23,  \em,  and  m.  Daniel  I'ortcr,  2d. 

9.  ■         ;  b.  at  same  date  as  the  loat,  and  d.  an  infimt. 

10.  Dorcas;  b.  Feb.  12, 1705-6,  and  m.  James  Porter. 

HENJAMIN"  JONES. 

He  was  accepted  in  tlie  place  of  Jolui  Andruss,  and  was  not 
one  of  the  iirst  company  of  settlers.  His  name  is  first  mention- 
ed among  those  who  had  allotments  in  the  fourth  division  of 
fence,  about  1680-81.  But  little  is  known  of  liiin.  His  house 
and  lot  of  two  acres  were  on  the  west  side  of  Willow  strei  t. 
Boutb  of  William  Brown's  dwelling.  The  land  was  bounded, 
in  IfiST,  southwest  on  "a  great  lot,"  northeast  on  Tliomas 
Judd's  land  and  highway,  westwardly  on  Ensign  Thomas 
Judd's  land  and  eastwardlj  on  highway.  He  removed  to  ]t^ew 
Haven  about  1689,  where  he  bought  of  William  Johnson  of 
N.  H.,  for  £50,  sisty-six  and  a  half  acres  of  land  at  a  place  on 

West  Side,"  (West  Haven,)  called  Shepherd's  Hill,  ^  running 
to  a  highway  next  the  sea."  His  propriety  right  of  £100  was 
sold  by  his  son  Benjamin,  in  1715,  to  Dea.  Thomas  Judd,  for 
forty  shillings,  and  was  conveyed  by  the  latter,  in  April,  1717, 
to  his  son  William. 

Whence  Benjamin  Jones  came,  and  from  whom  he  de- 
scended, I  am  not  informed.  He  was  married  to  Hannah 
Spencer,  at  Milford,  May  2d,  1661,  and  had  a  son  Benjamin 
bom  there,  in  June,  1662.  (S.  Judd.)  He  died  iuKew  Haven, 
Dec.  30, 1690,  and  hts  estate  was  settled  in  the  County  Court  of 
N.  ir.  Ilis  widow,  Hannah,  was  administratrix,  and  guardian 
of  the  only  child,  Benjamin.   This  minor  son  was  not,  of  coui*se, 


Digitized  by  Google 


HSnOBT  OF  WATBBBUST. 


155 


the  one  boni  in  Milfurd,  in  1002.  Tlic  latter  imint  liave  died,  and 
anotlier  been  born  luiviiiix  the  same  name.  Isaac  Brouboii  an<l 
Thomas  Jndd,  smith,  took  au  inventory  of  tlie  deceased  man's 
C8tate  in  Waterbnry. 

Benjamin  Jones,  2d,  liad  born  in  Now  Haven,  between 
1700  and  1722,  Benjamin,  Hannah,  liuth,  Yinsou,  Martha  and 
Ebenezer. 

JUDD. 

Thomas  Jiidil,  aiieestor  ot'  the  Jn<hlsot'New  England,  came 
from  England  in  1033  or  1034,  and  settled  first  in  Cambridge, 
near  Boston,  where  lands  were  granted  hitn  in  103-i.  lie  re- 
moved to  Hartford  in  1030  and  to  ]''armitigtt)n  about  1044, 
where  lie  lived  till  1070,  and  buried  his  wife.  He  then  went 
to  Northampton  and  marrie<l  a  widow  Mason,  who  was  child- 
less and  had  a  good  estate.  There  he  died  Nov.  10>b.  He 
was  the  second  deacon  of  the  chnrch  of  Farmington  and  a 
deputy  from  that  town  iu  16u7,  and  afterwards. 

His  childrea  were : 

1.  William,  and  2.  Elizabeth.  BoUi  of  them  were  bom 
between  1633  and  1030,  but  it  is  uncertain  whicli  was  the  oldest. 
8.  Thomas;  b.  about  1738.  4.  John;  b.  about  1740.  He 
was  a  non-fulfilling  subscriber.  5.  Benjamin;  b.  about  1(>42 
— a  non-ful tilling  subscriber.  0.  ^Fary;  b.  about  1044;  m. 
June  1,  160>2,  Thomas  Loomis  of  Windsor.  7.  liuth  ;  b. 
1C46-7,  m.  John,  son  of  John  Steele.  8.  Philip;  b.  1041)  and 
baptized  Sept.  2, 1649.  0.  Sanuicl ;  b.  about  1653.  His  fath- 
er subscribed  the  articles  for  him  in  1G74.  lie  proposed  join- 
ing t)ie  settlement  in  ICattatnck  and  had  allotments  of  fence 
in  the  first  and  fonith  divisions ;  bnt  lie  failed  at  the  critical 
time,  and  joined  bis  father  in  Northampton,  where  he  died 
in  1721. 

William  Jndd,  the  eldest  son  of  Dea.  Thomas  of  Farming- 
ton  and  the  father  of  Dea.  Thomas  of  Waterbnry,  married 
Hary,  daughter  of  John  Steele,  March  80, 1658,  and  died  late 
in  1690,  leaving  an  ample  estate  of  £698.  Uis  inventory  was 
presented  to  Court,  Nov.  5,  1690.*  His  widow,  Mary,  died 

•  1  cannot  reconcile  these  dktee,  taken  from  Mr.  Pylv*>«t.T  JinMV  Ocnpslopy  of  ThomM 
Juild,  with  an  entry  on  the  Fannlogton  record,  which,  uatlcr  datv  of  March  20,  rvfets 
to  "  Tiioinas  Jndd  MMi  of  WUUuB,  both  Mridtati  of  WoMrbMiy."  fitbopi  I  havo  mmU  •  mta- 
take  Is  copjrlBff. 


Digitized  by  Google 


156 


BISTOBY  OF  WATEBfiUliY. 


Oct.  27, 1718,  aged  about  eighty.  The  children's  births  are 
inferred  from  the  baptisms,  and  the  ago  given  hy  the  probate 
record.    Their  names  were  : 

1.  J\Iary  ;  b.  1G58  ;  m.  Al>el  Janes  of  Northampton.  2. 
Thonius  ;  'b.  16G2,  (baptized  Oct.  13,  W&2.)  3.  Jolin  ;  b.  1GC7. 
and  d.  in  Furmiugton,  1710,  k'aving  three  chiklren.  4.  Ka- 
chel ;  1>.  1770;  d.  unmarried,  1703.  5.  Samiu'l ;  1).  1'>T3;  m. 
Ann  Hiirt,  in  1710  and  Abigail  Phelps  of  We>ltieUl,  in  1725. 
lie  lived  in  Farmington,  had  children  and  died  1728.  0.  Dan- 
iel ;  b.  1075  ;  lived  in  Farmington  ;  m.  in  1705,  Mercy  ^litcli- 
ell  of  AVoodhnry  ;  d.  April  29,  174S,  liaving  had  eiglit  chihl- 
ren.    7.  EHzabeth  ;  b.  1078  ;  was  living  in  1718  nnn.arried. 

All  the  sons  of  Dea.  Judd  nf  Farmington,  six  in  mnnber, 
signed  the  articles,  first  and  last;  but  only  two  became  per- 
manent settlers  of  Waterbury. 

LIEUT.  THOMAS  JLDD. 

Tliomas  Judd,  the  second  son  of  Deacon  Thomas  of  Farm- 
ington, was  one  of  the  original  thirty.  He  subscribed  as 
Thomas  J  udd,  Jr.  Afterwards,  when  his  son  Tliomas  became 
proprietor,  he  was  known  as  Thomas  Judd,  Sen.,  and  finally  as 
Lieut.  Tliomas  Judd.  He  was  one  of  the  first  company  of 
settlers,  and  discharged  promptly  all  his  obligations  as  a  plant* 
er.  He  shirked  no  responsibility,  and  exposed  himself  to 
no  censure  or  rebuke.  He  was  one  of  tlie  assignees  to  whom 
the  first  Indian  deed  was  made  over,  in  Sept.  1G77,  and  was  a 
grantee  in  the  other  and  later  Indian  deeds.  He  is  named  in 
the  first  division  of  fence,  and  was  one  of  the  committee  to 
lay  it  out,  Jan.  1677-8.  He  had  a  like  interest  and  a  like 
agency  in  the  other  divisions.  After  his  brother  William 
abandoned  the  settlement,  he  was  more  than  any  other  single 
person  the  leading  man  of  the  infant  town.  He  was  general- 
ly named  by  the  grand  committee  as  one  of  the  persons  who 
were  to  act  in  their  absence,  in  certain  emeigencies.  In  the 
discharge  of  his  dnties  as  committee,  John  Stanley  was  usu- 
ally associated  with  him.  Jndd^s  name  was  nearly  always  men- 
tioned first,  in  part,  perhaps,  because  he  was  older  than  Stanley. 

Thomas  Judd  lived  on  the  north  side  of  West  Main  street, 
next  east  of  John  Bronson,  his  lot  of  two  and  one  quarter 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


167 


acre^J,  extending  t]in>ii<^li  to  the  back  street,  boniHU'd,  in  Nov. 
16S7,  e{i.sterly  on  Daniel  Warner,  westerly  on  Jnlm  Bronson, 
&c.  After  his  death,  his  sou  Thomas  took  the  old  home- 
stead. 

Hiomas  Judd  was  f»iie  of  tln'  pati-ntees  in  the  first  town 
patent,  lie  was  called  .-ergeajit  in  1G82  and  afterwards,  and 
occasionally  ensign,  (in  e«t]>ied  re  cords,)  in  lOSO,  1687  and  1(>SS. 
After  AndroH  had  abandoned  tlie  government,  and  the  AVater- 
bury  train-band  became  entitled  to  a  lieutenant,  John  Stanley 
received  the  commission  of  lieutenant,  and  Judd  that  of 
ensign.  Why  this  precedence  was  given  to  Stanley,  the  junior 
in  age,  I  am  unable  to  say,  unless  he  had  some  important  ad- 
vantage over  his  friend  in  military  l)caring.  Ilowevcr,  Judd 
was  compensated.  lie  was  the  iirst  deputy  to  the  General 
Court,  (in  May,  1680,)  and  was  often  reelected  to  the 
office.  Ke  was  the  first  commiflaioner  of  tbe  town,  and  was 
continued  in  office  till  a  law  was  passed  requiring  at  least 
three  or  four  justices  of  the  peace  in  each  county.  He  was 
then,  (in  1699,  or  earlier,)  appointed  the- first  justice  of  tlie 
peace — a  great  honor ;  and  was  annually  reappointed  till  his 
death.  In  1696,  after  Lieut  Stanley  had  removed  to  F arm- 
ington,  be  was  promoted  to  a  lieutenancy,  the  liighest  military 
office  allowed  in  the  town,  till  1716.  No  doubt  be  bore  him* 
self  gallantly. 

Lieut  Judd  died  Jan.  10, 1703-3,  in  tbe  sixty-fifth  year 
of  bis  age,"  at  a  time  when  bis  assistance  and  counsel  were 
much  needed.  His  sons  John  and  Thomas  were  administra- 
tors, and  tbe  inventory  of  bis  estate,  amounting  to  £407,  bore 
date  Jan.  80,  1702-3.  His  wife,  Sarab,  daughter  of  John 
Steel  of  Farmington,  died  May  23, 1695,  in  tbe  fifty-seventh 
year  of  ber  aj^e."  They  were  both  members  of  Mr.  Hooker's 
church  in  Farmington,  in  1680. 

Children: 

1.  Thomas;  born  probftbly  in  IMS. 

%.  John.  He  reoeiTod  «  grant  of  Und  as  early  as  1689-90— four  acreo  to  bo 

his  on  condition  that  he  remained  four  jears  in  the  town ;  but  hU  name  is  rarely 
ni«'iitioiuMl  till  nflor  17' >0.  He  wiis  not  a  lun'lu'lor  proprietor,  it  not  heing  the 
prat  tire  to  admit  jis  such  any  person  who  had  come  into  jwsitesisiou  of  uuothcr'ti 
right,  by  inheriunco  or  otherwbM; ;  but  io  rirtne  of  the  tight  of  bis  Ikther  which 
was  difltribttted  to  him,  he  had  an  addition  of  two  forty  poond  rights.   He  was 


Digitized  by  Google 


158 


UISTOBY  OF  WATIiiliBU&T. 


•nnrejor  In  1708 ;  grand  jnror  in  1905;  townmnu  in  1706 ;  town  eoOector  in  170^ ; 

town  trcastiror  in  1712,  kc.  In  Doc.  1713,  he  w«a  appointed  tow  n  clerk,  which 
ofTuo  he  held  till  his  death.  His  cliiroi^raphy  is  atrociously  bad — worse  even 
thun  that  of  hi<  immediate  prodfce-sors  in  oflice.  His  last  nnord  was  a  part  of 
a  deed  froui  hiiUiitiU' to  John  Wciton,  dated  and  acknow  ledged  May  0th,  1717. 
The  record  was  flniabed  by  his  soceessor,  William  Jadd.  Hb  decease  toolc  place 
in  the  latter  part  ot  1717,  (X.  B.)  The  inventory  of  his  estate,  amoundng  to  £305, 
was  taken  Jan.    1 7 17-18.   Gapt.  Thomas  Judd  was  gmirdlan  of  the  four  yoang< 

est  children,  in  17'J<>. 

John  Judd  hud  a  hous(>  and  house  lot  of  one  acre  and  a  hull'  which  he  obtained 
by  exchange,  March  1,  17(»1,  of  John  Warner,  bounded  east  on  Jonathan  Scott's 
house  lot,  north,  south  and  west  on  highway.  This  he  exchanged.  Not.  5, 1714, 
with  Joseph  Hickox  of  Darbam,  said  Iliekox  conveying  to  him  a  house  and  lot  of 
three  and  a  half  acres,  lying  between  Cook,  Grove  and  North  Main  streets,  butted 
north,  south,  ea-^t  and  west  on  hi;.'hw  ays,  w  here  I  suppose  Judd  artcrwurds  lived. 

8.  Sarah  ;  m.  Nov.  17,  1680,  Stephen  Hopkins,  Jr.,  of  Hartford.  Uer  death  L* 
recorded  in  Waterbury  as  hsTing  taken  place  May  11,  1693,  in  the  twenty-eighth 
year  of  her  age.  She  left  a  son,  Thomas,  and  two  daughters. 

FHILIP  JI  DD. 

lie  was  tlio  sixth  son  <>t'  Dea.  Thomas  Judd,  and  nt.  Ilau* 
nah,  d.  of  Thomas  Loomis  of  Win<ls(»r.  Not  much  is  known 
of  hiiu.  He  subscribed  the  articles  June  18,  1687,  (having  al- 
read}- — in  1686 — received  some  land  grants,)  being  accepted 
in  the  place  of  his  brother  Samuel.  lie  signed  the  agreement 
with  Mr.  Peck,  in  1689^  and  died  soon  after.  Ilis  death  oc- 
curred before  the  expiration  of  the  four  years  required  hj  the 
articles  of  settlement,  tlius  securing  his  right  to  his  family. 
He  was  the  first  of  the  original  proprietors  who  died  in  Wa- 
terbury. Ensign  Thomas  Judd  and  Thomas  Judd,  smith,  ad- 
ministered on  his  estate.  His  inventory,  taken  Nov.  2, 1689, 
amounted  to  £237  in  Waterbury,  and  £92  in  Farmington- 
He  was  much  in  debt.  Tlie  family  removed  from  Waterbury, 
and  the  children  all  settled  in  Danbury. 

Philip  Judd's  house  lot  of  two  acres  (*'y*  fell  to  him  by  alot' 
ment'')  was  on  the  north  side  of  West  Main  street,  next  west 
of  Joseph  Hickox's  home  lot,  and  was  bounded,  March  27, 
1708,  west  on  Obadiah  Richards,  deed.,  east  on  William  Hick- 
ox,  north  on  common,  south  on  highway,  (no  house  mentioned 
at  this  date.)  The  lot  was  sold,  Nov.  1711,  by  Benjamin  Judd, 
son  of  Philip,  to  William  Iliekox,  for  £8,  lOs.,  butted  north  on 
George  Scott's  land,  and  on  the  other  sides  us  described  above. 


Digitized  by  Google 


BI8T0KT  OF  WATEKllLliY. 


159 


Children : 

1.  PhQii^;  baptised  in  Fftnnington,  March  18,  1080-81.  He  settled  in  Danbury 

(Bothcl  Society.)  and  died  between  1760  and  17t>5,  leaving  children. 

'J.  Tlionm.s  ;  baptized  May  27,  1683,  and  died  younp. 

lldunuh ;  baptized  tu  F.  Oct.  19,  1684,  and  married  Thouiaa  Huyt  ul°  Dau- 
bnry.  They  were  both  liTing  in  April,  1721. 

4.  William ;  baptised  in  F.  July  8,  ie87.  He  mar.  Dee.  SS,  1709,  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  Oridly  of  Farmington,  wlierc  he  had  two  daughters,  Eunice  and 
Elizabeth,  born  in  1710  njid  1712-13.     lie  removed  thenee  first  to  Waterburr 
tlifii  to  Ihinbury.    He  was  in  the  former  place  in  171»»  and  in  the  latter  in  1717 
and  1720.  He  appears  to  have  been  the  "William  Judd,  tailor,"  of  the  Waterbury 

records. 

fi.  Bei^amin;  bap.  in  F.  May  4, 1890.  Be  was  IlTing  in  Danbory  in  1711  and 
1 7  27 .  He  became  the  owner  of  hh  &tber*s  £80  propriety  and  sold  It  to  Timothy 
Hopkins. 

THOMAS  JUDD,  THE  SON  OF  WILUAM. 

Hie  name  ib  first  mentioned  in  the  Waterburj  records, 
Dec.  31,  1685,  when  he  had  a  grant  of  land  from  tlie  pro- 
prietors "on  ye  north  gid  of  his  hoiis  lot  to  biitc  on  John 
Seouels  thre  acre  h»t."  This  house  lot  was  one  »>t'  two  acri's 
on  WiHow  Street,  north  of  John  ScovilTs,  which  hud  ])een 
graiite<l  to  lii.s  t'atlier  and  forfeited,  and  then  bestowed  on 
the  son.  It  is  reeonh'd  as  a  jiart  of  the  estate  of  the  hitter, 
under  (hitc  of  December  2^5,  IGOl,  which  was  «Lrrantetl  by  the 
committee.  He  is  next  mentioned,  Jan.  li,  1080,  (1080-7,) 
and  airaiu  March  27,  10^7,  and  a^^ain  Sept.  29,  1087.  His 
name  is  on  the  li>t  of  jn'oprietors  of  1<!8><,  and  lie  was  a<;ain 
grantee  of  the  town  Jan.  21,  lOS'J,  (108y-UO,)  and  again  Jan. 
21>,  1000,(101)0-01.)  At  tlie  latter  date,  he  received  twenty 
acres  of  ujdand  and  other  lands,  with  the  customary  provision, 
that  he  build  a  liouse  and  comply  witli  tlie  conditi<»ns  of  the 
articles.*  March  20,  1000-01,  he  joined  the  church  in  Far- 
mington, and  is  described  as  of  Waterbury.  Se]»t.  23,  IflOO, 
be  was  chosen  branrU  r  of  the  town,  he  to  keep  a  record  of  the 
horses  branded.  March  15,  16dl,he  had  a  division  of  upland, 
and  Jan.  20, 1692,  (1692-3,)  a  grant  on  Burnt  Hill.  May  17, 
1001,  tlie  town  appointed  him  to  stake  out  a  grant  to  John 
Kichards. 


*  The  proTision  la  this  ftnd  other  cue*  ti  not  atwftjr*  iiifncientcTldence  that  the  requirenentt 
of  the  ftrUcIea  aa  to  butlding,  Ao.,  had  not  already  been  compiled  with.  It  •cena  often  to  have 
bMO  iBNrtad  M  ft  kiBd  af  fDra,  uidl  m  •  mtt«r  oftaMir  iIimM  aajr  diapato  «rlM. 


Digitized  by  Google 


160 


HISTORY  OF  WATERBURV 


The  above  items,  witli  the  dates,  I  have  given  for  the  pur- 
pose of  ehowing  tliat  Thomas  JikUI,  the  ?on  of  William,  was  a 
resiileut  ot"  Waterbury  IVoni  the  latter  part  of  16S5  to  May, 
l()t)4,  ill  something  like  "  a  steady  way."  Why  he  was  not 
a  biihseriher  to  Mr.  Peck's  £00  settlement  in  1089-00,  (as  lie 
ought  to  have  heen,)  I  am  unalili'  t(»  suy.  Tliat  he  was  a  pro- 
prietor during  all  this  time  there  seems  no  sufficient  reason  to 
doubt.  This  would  appear  from  his  name  being  eiiteri'd  in 
the  list  of  proprietors  of  1688,  and  from  a  record  of  sew  n  })ar- 
cels  of  land  made  in  Jan.  l<>88-9,  and  Dec.  26,  16m,  wliieh 
lands  were  "  granted  him  l)y  the  committee."  Tlie  last  par- 
cel, recorded  under  the  last  iiu'iitioned  date,  was  "  a  lions  lote 
of  too  acre  granted  t<»  his  father  as  the  aboue  mentioned  per- 
cels  [the  other  six]  were  and  after  fortitur  to  him."  At  the 
laat  named  date,  too,  lie  had  a  house  lot  of  three  quarters  of 
an  acre,  on  which  his  dwelling  house  stood,  on  the  south  si<le 
of  West  Main  street,  corner  of  Willow,  butted  north  and  east 
on  a  highway,  south  on  the  heirs  of  Benjamin  Jones. 

Adopting  the  concloBlon  that  Thomas  Judd,  the  son  of 
William,  was  made  a  proprietor  before  1688,  receiving  his 
fathcr^s  forfeited  aUotments,  and  that  he  had  fultillcd  the  con- 
ditions of  tlie  articles  and  secured  his  right  before  tlie  record 
of  Dec.  26, 1691, 1  have  been  much  perplexed  with  the  fol- 
lowing entry,  made  in  the  Proprietors^  Book  by  Tliomas  Judd, 
Jr.,  and  then  copied  by  the  same  hand  into  the  first  volume 
of  Land  Records : — 

Att  a  town  nu-i'tiiifr  in  mattntock  febnmrv  2."):  lt)95  the  town  prantiMl  to 
ThumaM  Judd  noon  of  willyuin  judd  y*  a  lot  raeut  formerly  granted  to  y*  aboue  s* 
irilly»iii  Judd  prouideil  he  com  mod  inhabit  four  yen  in  a  settled  or  steady  way 
from  y*  ftrsi  of  may  nest  enraeing  with  the  six  acen  granted  for  pastor  excepted. 

However  diflicult  to  conceive  it.  I  am  persuaded  there  is  a 
mistake  in  the  date  of  this  record.  Were  the  considerations 
already  offered  insufficient  to  prove  it,  we  might  find  in  the 
record  itself  good  ground  for  suspicion.  Waterbury  was 
never  called  Mattatuck  afk;er  the  town  was  incorporated  in 
1686,  unless  hj  mistake ;  and  a  mistake  would  not  be  likely 
to  occur  eight  years  after  a  change  of  name.  Besides,  there 
is  no  evidence  that  Jndd  had  left  town  so  that  he  could  have 


Digitized  by  Google 


I 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


mSTOBT  or  WATBBBOBT.  161 

been  properly  invited,  in  1095,  "  to  come  and  inhabit  four 
yeare,"  iVrc.  I  am  pei*sua(lcd,  therefore,  that  the  record  quoted 
above  should  bear  the  date  Feb.  25,  ir>85,  (1685-6.) 

In  the  extract  below,  Thomas  Judd,  son  of  William,  is  first 
called  deacon : — 

Att  a  tovn  meeting  la  wmteriiiiry  mareh:  fl  lAM  f  (own  gave  Uberty  to  deae 
jodd  for  y*  enlarging  of  hia  shop  to  make  use  of  nx  foots  j*  highway  at  y* 
CM(  end  of  his  shop  ao  long  as  he  improae  it  for  y*  end 

According  to  his  tombstone,  he  was  the  first  deacon  of  the 
Waterbnry  church.  He  was  thirty-three  yean  old  in  1695, 
(the  date  of  his  probable  appointment,)  and  the  fact  that  he  was 
selected  at  that  eariiy  period  of  life  for  so  responsible  a  posi- 
tion, with  no  associate  in  office  for  twenty-nine  years,  is  a  high 
tribute  to  the  general  good  equalities  of  his  head  and  heart 

The  merits  of  Dea.  Judd  seem  to  have  been  in  a  measure 
unknown  until  about  the  time  he  was  made  an  officer  in  the 
church.   After  that,  and  particularly  after  the  death  of  laeut. 
Judd,  no  other  man  in  the  town  received  such  substantial  evi- 
dence of  the  pcople^s  confidence  and  regard.  He  was  many 
times  townsman,  school  committee,  rate-maker,  &e.  In  Oct 
1696,  he  was,  for  the  first  time,  (K  j>uty  to  the  Glenend  Court, 
beiug  associated  with  Lieut.  Judd.    Afterwards  he  was  often 
the  associate,  in  the  town's  representation,  of  Lieut.  Judd, 
TlioiiKis  Judd,  Jr.,  or  schoolma8ter,  Lieut.  Timothy  Stanley, 
Lieut.  Jt>hii  Hopkins,  Serg.  Stephen  Upson,  and  others,  till 
1733.    After  Lieut.  Judd's  deeease  he  was  made  n  justice  of 
the  peiiee,  which  othee  he  held  by  uunuul  aj»pointiiient  till 
1721).   During  tliis  time,  he  wuj^  the  sole  justice  for  Wuterbury 
till  1725.    lie  war^  one  of  tlie  receivers  a}>poiiited  hy  the  Gen- 
eral Court,  in  1703,  of  fuu<ls  C('llecte(l  for  the  Saybrook  scliooL 
AVheu  the  otKce  of  town  cU'rk  wa.s  nuide  vacant  l)v  the  re- 
moval  of  Thomas  .ludd,  Jr.,  the  deacon  was  cliosen  (April  'i'!, 
1701))  to  lill  the  placti.    lie  tilled  it,  in  a  very  poor  way,  till 
Dec.  1712.    Writing  (to  say  nothing  of  spelling)  was,  with 
llim,  the  gift  (better  say  iulliction)  of  nature. 

Dea.  Thomas  Juihl  was  also  a  military  man,  and  a  very  gal- 
lant one  too,  it  is  safe  to  say.  Tie  was  made  an  ensign  after 
Lieut.  Judd's  decea-^e,  in  17t)2-3,  and  held  the  place  under 
Lieut.  Timothy  Stanley  till  1715.   He  was  tlien  promoted  and 

11 


Digitized  by  Google 


162 


mSTOBT  OF  WATE&BUSY. 


became  the  first  captain  of  the  Watcrbury  train-band,  the 
number  of  soldiers  having  reached  bixt^-four,  thus  giving 
tlie  town  the  right  to  a  captain. 

Thomas  Judd,  the  smith,  was  so  called  on  account  of  his  trade. 
He  branded  horses  and  hammered  iron,  in  a  rough  way,  for  the 
settlers.  Ilia  "  deal  post'' was  a  place  f(»r  imblic  advertise- 
ments. A  record  nnide  by  himself,  1700-10,  says — "the 
decons  deal  poi'st  is  to  be  estemd  a  sine  poi-st  for  sad  town.'* 
He  was  usually  called  "smith,"  or  the  "  son  of  William,"  till 
he  became  a  deacon,  and  "  deacon  "  till  he  \vas  made  a  cap- 
tain, and  "  captain  "  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Occasionally, 
after  the  death  of  Lieut.  Judd,  and  particularly  in  legal  docu- 
ments, he  is  termed  "  senior''  or  "smith,"  to  distinguish  him 
from  his  cousin  of  tlie  same  name. 

Gapt  Judd,  April  1, 1717,  in  consideration  of  lands  at  Great 
Swamp,  conveyed  to  his  only  son  William,  his  honse  and  all 
his  lands  in  Waterbury,  except  the  divisions  on  the  £100 
propriety  he  bought  of  Jones.  After  this,  he  appears  to 
have  lived  with  his  son  many  years;  but  Oct.  19,  173G,  he 
purchased  for  £185  of  Samuel  Camp  the  place  which  Camp 
bought  of  Capt.  AYilliam  Hickox,  six  acres,  with  certain  re- 
servationSi  where  the  house  of  0.  B.  Merriman  now  stands. 
Here  Oapt  Judd  perhaps  lived  for  a  season ;  but  in  1789,  he 
sold  ont  to  Bev.  Hark  Leavenworth,  for  £250. 

Thomas  Judd  was  married,  Feb.  9, 1687-8,  to  Sarah,  daugh- 
ter of  Stephen  Freeman,  firat  of  Milford,  then  of  Newark, 
K.  J.  He  died  full  of  years  and  honors.  Near  the  northwest 
comer  of  the  old  burying  yard,  a  gravestone  is  standing  on 
which  may  be  read,  with  some  difficulty,  the  following 
inscriplion  \ — 


Hero  [lion] 
the  bodj  of 
THOMAS  JUDD,  ESa 
Joatiee 
Deacon  & 
Captain 
in  Watrrbury, 
who  died  Jan'y 
y«  4th  A.  D.  1747 
aged  79. 


the 
first 


Digitized  by  Google 


HX8TOBY  OF  WATEBBVBT. 


163 


On  the  next  stone  close  by,  ir^  another  inscription  with  these 
words  :  "Sarah  Jiidd,  wife  of  Deac.  Thomas  Judd,  dyed  Sept. 
8,  173>^,  in  v«  G9th  vear  of  lier  aire.** 

There  are  two  errors  in  Dea.  Judd's  inscrij)tion.  He  was 
not  tlie  first  hut  tlie  second  justice,  his  uncle,  Lieut.  Judd, 
beiufi;  the  first ;  and  he  was  several  years  older  than  is  stated. 
He  must  have  been  about  85.  Tlie  inventory  of  his  estate 
amounted  to  £2,271),  10s.  lOd.,  ])eing  nominally  larger  than 
that  of  any  inhabitant  of  Waterbury  who  had  died  before  him. 
The  currency,  however,  at  this  period  was  much  depreciated. 
The  silver  headed  cane  of  Captain  Judd  is  now  in  the  posses- 
sion  of  his  descendant,  Mr.  Sylvester  Judd  of  Northampton. 

Children : 

1.  William ;  b.  May  7,  1689;  bap.  in  Farmiogton,  April  6,  1691,  and  m.  Jan. 
21, 1719-lS,  Itarjt  d.  of  Stephen  Boot  of  FanniQgton,  where  he  oettled,  et  the 
Great  Swmmp,  so  called,  (Kensington,  now  Berlin.)  About  1716,  he  retemed  to 

Waterbury,  was  made  a  £40  proprietor,  and  received  a  ppocial  prant  out  of  the 
common  lands,  "lie  to  fence  for  it."  IIU  father  deeded  to  him,  in  1717,  hi.-? 
hoiuio  and  buuicstcad,  ou  the  corner  of  Wdlow  street,  now  occupied  by  John  S. 
Kingsbury,  where  they  both  ttred  for  many  years.  In  1785,  however,  April  Tith, 
the  eon,  hi  the  way  of  exchange,  cooTeyed  all  "  hb  lands  and  bnlldings  in  the 
itated  line  of  the  eonunon  finice,"  (the  plncc  whore  he  lived  being  included,)  to 
Ebone/er  Bronson,  and  removeil  to  Westbury,  where  he  d.  .Ian.  '20,  1772.  His 
farm  lay  in  the  H0Uthwe**t  corner  of  the  society,  its  southern  bonier  forming  the 
boundary  line.  Uia  first  wife  d.  Dec.  11,  1751,  having  had  nine  children.  He 
then  married  Widow  Hope  Lee,  who  sorviTod  Um.  Eetate  £679, 10s. 

William  Jndd,  after  his  return  from  Farmhigton,  soon  became  more  or  leas  of  a 
public  man,  and  repeatedly  occupied  posts  of  honor  and  re9pon.«ibility.  IIo  was 
constAble  in  1718,  1710  and  ITJH;  fown.snian  in  1722,  172.'}  and  afterward."*; 
school  committee  in  1730;  deputy  in  ll'l^,  1730,  1731,  1736  and  1739.;  moderator 
of  town  needi^,  17SS-t  ud  17SS,  fte.  After  the  decease  of  John  Jndd,  in  1717, 
lie  was  chosen  townclerfc,  and  continued  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  ofllce  till 
Dec.  1721,  when  Mr.  ^outhmayd  was  appointed.  He  was^oo  frr  as  appears,  a 
compt'tent  and  acceptable  rlerk.  Hi«  penmanship  is  n  preat  improvement  on  that 
of  his  immediate  predeccdtiors.  In  1730,  he  reached  the  goal  of  military  ambition^ 
and  became  a  captain. 

%  Hartha ;  b.  Sept.  11, 1692;  m.  1714,  Thomas  Cowles  of  Farmington,  and  d. 
17«8. 

8.  Rachel ;  b.  Not.  18, 1694 ;  m.  Thomas  Vpson,  ion  of  Stephen,  and  d.  Jnly 

19,  1750. 

4.  Sarah  ;  b.  April  23,  1697  ;  d.  Nov.  8,  1725  or  1726. 

5.  Hannah ;  b.  July  2,  1699,  and  d.  **  March  12, 1718." 

6.  Hary;  h.  Jan  80, 1701 ;  m.  Timothy  Hopkins. 

7.  EUsabeth;  b.  July  88, 1704;  m.  J<^n  Upson,  son  of  Stephen. 


Digitized  by  Google 


164 


BI810BT  OF  WAIEBBUBT. 


8.  Rutb  ;  b.  ILiy  9,  1707;  m.  April  26,  1727,  Jaiues  Smith  of  Farmington,  and 
d.  1786. 

9.  Stephen;  h.  Sot.  80, 1709,  ud  d.  Jane  2A,  IIU. 

THOMAS  JCDD,  Jb. 

He  was  the  son  of  Lieut.  Thomas  Jadd,  and  was  accepted 

by  the  committee  as  a  proprietor,  at  the  desire  of  his  father, 
Jan.  10,  1083,  (1683-4,)  with  £100  right.  His  name  is  rarely 
mentioned  for  several  years,  except  as  the  grantee  of  certain 
landri.  It  is  found,  however,  among  the  pru}»riLt«»rs  <>t' 
and  the  subscribers  to  Mr.  Peck't?  settlement,  in  ItJSO.  He  was 
Jolm  Stanley's  succe-.-*»r  as  register  or  town  clerk,*  being 
appointed  June  4,  1G9G — a  compliiiR'nt  to  his  penmanship,  as 
well  as  his  general  re-pcctability.  lie  retained  the  otlice  till  liis 
removal  from  the  town.  He  was,  I  imagine,  in  liis  mature 
years,  the  literary  oraele  (»!'  the  settlement.  lie  wrote  a  very 
g'Mjd,  business-like  hand,  which,  with  some  practice,  is  rea<l 
with  little  difficulty.  He  wa>  townsman  in  1008,  1703  and 
1704;  town  treasurer  in  1099  and  1700,  and  constable  in  170O.f 
After  the  death  of  his  father,  he  represente<l  the  town  in  the 
General  Assembly,  first  in  Oct.  1704,  and  then  in  the  three 
succeeding  October  sessions.  In  these  instaiices,  with  one 
exception,  his  name  is  I'utered  as  Thomas  Judd,  Jr.,  to  distin- 
guish him  from  his  colleague,  Tli<»mas  Judd,  the  sou  of  Wil- 
liam, he  being,  I  sup]>ose,  a  little  younger  than  his  cousin. 

I  suppose — but  cannot  prove  it — that  Thomas  Judd,  Jr.,  was 
the  schoolmaster  of  Waterbur}- — that  he  taught,  or  tried  to 
teach,  the  juveniles  f»f  the  village,  intellectual  archery.  I 
suppose  so  from  the  fact  that  he  callshimself  schoolmaster,  in 
certain  deeds,  very  soon  after  his  remoYal  from  Waterbnry, 
where  he  had  spent  his  whole  previous  adult  life.  But  his 
teachings  could  have  been  but  moderately  successful.  The 
urchin  archers  of  his  day  were  not  all  apt  scholai-s,  idea-shoot- 
ing  being  a  rather  dull  business,  judging  from  their  literaiy 
accomplishments  wlien  grown  to  manhood. 

Thomas  Judd,  Jr.,  lived  on  West  Main  street,  on  the  south 


*  The  town  clerk  ww  alwaya  proprietor**  clerk  until  «  comparatlraljr  fceent  period, 
t  Th«  town  oiBMn  Vtrc  appointed  in  December  for  the  eniulng  year ;  and  irben  I  apeak  of 
tilt  ItaM  that  ft  PWWMI  hM  aa  office,  l  generaUj  refer  to  the  date  of  bla  appolotnent. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


165 


side,  his  being  the  fourth  lot  east  from  the  corner  of  "Willow 
street.  It  contained  two  acres,  and  butted,  Nov.  1G87,  north 
and  soutli  on  hi«rliway,  east  on  Edmund  Scott,  Jr's  land,  west 
on  .Tolm  Welton's  land.  Tie  sold  the  place,  April  1,  1701,  to 
Kohert  Scott,  and  Scott  soM  it,  with  the  same  boundaries,  Oct. 
7,  1708,  to  his  brother  Kdnumd,  ''for  a  mare  and  colt  and 
£&j  12s."  After  his  father's  decease,  in  1702-3,  lie  became  the 
owner  and  occupant  of  the  old  homestead,  recorded,  in  June, 
1705,  as  containing  five  acres,  east  on  Obadiah  Bidiard's  house 
lot,  west  on  the  heirs  of  John  Bronson,  deceased,  &c.  He 
appears  to  have  been  one  of  the  most  respectable  men  of  the 
town ;  but  after  having  battled  with  adversity  for  twenty-five 
years,  he  turned  his  back  upon  his  friends  and  quit  the  settle- 
ment. He  removed  in  the  early  part  of  1709,  (N.  S.,)  and 
settled  first  in  Farmington,  (where  he  lived  in  1712,)  and  then 
in  Hartford,  (in  the  part  called  West  Hartford,)  residing  near 
the  boundary  line. 

The  wife  of  Thomas  Judd,  Jr.,  was  Sarah,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Gteylord,  Sen.  They  were  married  April  11,  1688,  by 
Mr.  Zachariah  Walker,  Sen.,  of  Woodbury.  He  joined  the 
church  of  Farmington,  July  20,  1690,  where  he  had  two 
children,  Thomas  and  Sarah,  baptized  Oct  12, 1690.  He  died 
Aug.  24,  1 724.   His  wife  was  dead  in  Feb.  1724-25. 

Children : 

1.  Thomas;  b.  March  28,  1690  and  ni.  H<  |>/ibali  WilluuiUL 

2.  Joseph  ;  ^     _  (  d.  an  infant. 

8.  Sarah  ;  )  *»  t  m.  James  WUliams. 

4.  EUnbeth ;  b.  Cot.  18, 1S06,  and  m.  Joshua  How. 

5.  Joanna ;  b.  S«pt.  12,  1698  ;  m.  William  Scott,  und  died  Jan.  25,  1771. 

6.  Joseph  ;  b.  April  21,  1701.  In  1726,  he  bought  a  hoiue  and  lands  of  Oba> 
diah  Scott  in  Waterbury,  on  Hudv.-^liill,  wlioro  he  settled. 

7.  Ebcuczor;  b.  March  3,  1702-3;  lived  in  West  Uartford,  and  d.  1734. 

8.  Vary ;  b.  April  2»  1706 ;  oi.  Saranel  Mom  and  was  living  with  bor  hnalMuid 
in  Wallingford,  in  1787. 

9.  Rachel ;  b.  Oct.  4,  170R  ;  unmarried  in  1788. 
lU.  AbagaU;  b.  1712,  and  m.  Joseph  HalL 

JOSEPH  LEWIS. 

lie  and  a  brotlior  John  were  sons  of  Josepli  Ta  wIs  of 
Windsor  and  Simsburv,  who  died  in  1700.  lie  was  llie  first 
man,  an  outbider  and  not  aii  original  proprietor,  (if  we  except 


Digitized  by  Google 


166 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


Mr.  Peck's  sons,)  that  joined  the  settlement  of  'Watcrbury. 
At  what  precise  time  he  came  I  have  no  means  of  knowing. 
His  name  is  first  mentioned  on  the  Town  Book,  Dec.  23, 1700, 
at  which  (late  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  fence  viewers. 
Had  he  been  in  the  town  much  earlier  than  1700, 1  think  I 
should  have  discovered  some  traces  of  him.  At  what  period 
he  was  made  a  bachelor  proprietor  is  not  clear.  With  the 
exception  of  Thomas  Clark,  he  was  the  only  one  of  this  class 
of  proprietors  who  was  not  either  a  son  or  grandson  of  an 
original  proprietor.  He  settled  at  Judd's  Meadow,  on  the 
west  side  of  the  river,  where  he  owned,  from  an  early  date, 
much  land,  obtained  by  division  and  by  purchase.  Tbe  first 
reference  made  to  his  honse  was  in  Dec.  1714.  He  had  doubt- 
less then  been  several  years  in  that  part  of  the  town.  His 
sons  took  up  theur  residences  near  him.  To  Joseph,  he  gave, 
in  1728,  soon  after  marriage,  a  house  and  lands  near  the  Straits 
Mountain,  valuing  them  to  him  at  £150.  To  John  he  gave, 
in  1786,  under  similar  circumstances,  sixty  acres  of  land  with 
a  house,  estimating  them  "  at  £120  portion.'* 

Joseph  Lewis  was  one  of  the  respected  and  substantial  men 
of  tlio  town.  lie  was  a  cloth  weaver  by  trade,  and  one  <»f  a 
committee  t»)  settle  the  bounds  of  "Woodbiirv,  as  early  as  17U6. 
lie  was  a})t)oiiited to  asiniilarduty  iu  ITli),  and  again  in  1730. 
He  was  town  treasurer  in  1711,  and  many  years  selectman, 
lie  was  the  town's  dejiuty  at  the  General  Court  for  fifteen 
sessions  between  1713  lunl  1741.  In  172-1,  he  was  called  sar- 
geant,  and  early  in  173S,  was  chosen  the  fourth  deacon  of  the 
church,  Dea.  J udd  being  now  advanced  in  life.  In  his  will 
he  gave  to  the  church  (in  his  own  language)  "  twenty  six 
pounds  nionev  due  to  me  by  Mr.  Mark  Leavenworth  bv  note 
of  hand,  which  I  give  to  y*^  first  church  of  Christ  in  "Water- 
bury  (now  under  the  jiastoral  charge  of  y*  sd  ]Mr.  Leaven- 
worth) to  be  to  y*^  use  and  bt  iietit  of  sd  church  for  ever.""  His 
estate  was  larger  nominally  than  that  of  any  deceased  ])ei'son 
of  Waterbury  which  had  previously  been  inventoried.  It 
amounted  to  £5,628, 128. 6d.,  when  wheat  sold  at  35  shillings 
or  so  per  bushel. 

Joseph  Lewis  died  in  the  fatal  year  of  17-19,  (Nov.  29.) 
His  son  Joseph,  and  his  eldest  son  John's  wife,  died  bat  a  few 


Digitized  by  Google 


BIBTOBT  or  WATEKBUBY. 


167 


weeks  before  him.  His  widow  Sarah  (Aiuh  uss)  died  March 
5,  1773.  Ilis  son  Saiiiiicl  was  a  deacon  of  the  Watcrhury 
church,  and  afterwards  the  first  deacon  of  the  church  in  Salem, 
(Naugatnck.)  Another  son,  Thomaa,  appears  to  have  gradu- 
ated at  Yale  College  in  1741,  being  a  cla^sniate  of  Sanmel 
Hopkins,  Jonathan  Judd  and  Daniel  Southmayd,  all  from 
Waterbury,  the  four  making  a  fifth  part  of  the  graduating  chiSB. 
He  became  a  congregational  minister. 


CHAPTER  XIL 


PERSONAL  NOTICES  OF  THE  FIRST  SETTLERS^  COMTINUSD. 

NEWELL. 

Thomas  Keitell,  (Sen.,)  was  one  of  the  original  settlers  of 
Farmington,  a  member  of  the  church,  a  freeman  in  1669, 
and  one  of  the  eighty-four  proprietors  of  1672.  He  married 
Bebecca,  a  niece  of  John  Olmsted,  and  died  Sept  18, 1689, 
leaving  an  estate  of  £700.  His  widow  died  Feb.  24, 1697-8. 

Children : 

1.  Rebecca;  b.  Jan.  1643,  and  ra.  Joseph  or  Josiah  Wood* 

ford.  2.  Mary;  h.  March,  1645,  and  m.  March  20,  1667, 
Thoniaii  Buseunib  of  Northampton.  3.  John ;  b.  Jan.  1647. 
4.  Thomas;  b.  Mureli,  1650.  5.  Hester;  b.  July,  1652,  m. 
John  Stanley  of  Watorbnry.  6.  Saruli ;  bap.  Feb.  18, 
and  m.  Artcr  "  Smith.  7.  Hannah,  or  Martha  ;  bap.  A]»ril 
14, 1G5S,  and  m.  Thomas  North.  8.  Samncl ;  bap.  Dee.  5, 
lOGu;  m.  Dec.  20,  1683,  Mary  Hart.  9.  Joseph;  bap.  April 
20,  1664,  and  <1.  16S0,  unmarried. 

Thomas  Newell,  Sen.,  was  one  of  a  preliminary  committee 
who  went  to  view  Mattatuck,  and  one  of  the  petitioners  for 
"  liberty  of  phuiting  j«  same,"  1673.   He  al'terwards  bigued 


Digitized  by  Google 


16S 


marroBT  of  watbrbubt. 


the  articles,  taking  the  phice  of  Samuel  Gridley,  but  declined 
to  joiu  the  new  settlement. 

JOHN  NEWELL. 

He  (or  hU  father  for  him)  seems  to  have  been  one  of  the 
original  sabscribers  of  1674,  the  name  being  imtten  "  Thomas 
Newell,  son,  £100."  He  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers,  be- 
ing on  all  the  fence-division  lists.  He  had  a  honse  and  house 
lot  on  North  Main  street,  next  to  Isaac  Bronson,  recorded, 
July  11,  1692,  as  five  acres  of  land,  north  on  John  Stanley 
and  Benjamin  Barnes,  east  on  common  land,  south  on  Isaac 
Bronson,  west  on  highway.  Newell's  hill,  a  part  of  his  home- 
stead, was  named  after  him.  If  he  did  anytliing  worthy  to 
be  remembered,  history  has  taken  no  note  of  it.  As  early  as 
Aug.,  1694,  he  had  removed  to  Farmington.  He  had  con- 
veyed, in  the  preceding  March,  his  house  and  homestead,  (then 
hounded  north  on  Richard  Porter  and  Bciijamiti  liarncs,)  to 
Isaac  Bronson.  He  died  in  1606,  witljout  a  family,  his  broth- 
ers, Tlioma6  and  Samuel,  being  administratoi*s. 

THOMAS  NEWELL,  (Jb.) 

He  seems  to  have  taken  the  right  of  £90  which  his  father 
subscribed  for,  and  which  was  at  first  Thomas  Gridley's.  He 
did  not,  apparently,  go  to  Waterbury  as  early  as  his  brother. 
His  name  is  not  mentioned  in  the  first  fence-division,  but  it  is 
in  the  three  others.  He  was  among  those  whose  rights  were 
declared  forfeited  in  1682-3,  but  he  ^  submitted  "  and  regain- 
ed his  propriety.  His  house  was  on  the  north  side  of  West 
Main  street,  next  east  of  Thomas  Hancoz.  After  Hancox  left, 
he  bought  his  lot  (with  the  house)  of  Lieut  Judd,  and  added 
it  to  his  own  lot  of  one  and  three  quarter  acres,  making  in  the 
whole  three  and  a  half  acres.  This  is  described  Jan.  6, 1690, 
(1690-91,)  as  bounded  east  on  John  Bronson  and  west  on  John 
Warner,  {Thamaa  Porter,  son  of  Bobert,  is  written  over  John 
Warner.) 

Thomas  Newell  subscribed  to  Mr.  Peck's  settlement  in  1689. 

Soon  after,  he  followed  the  bad  example  set  by  Joseph  Ilickox, 
Tliniiias  Ilancox  and  Benjamin  Jones,  and  left  the  town.  Ho 
wiis  ill  Faniiiiinjton  Nov.  6,  1090,  where  I  hope  he  made  him- 
self useful,    lie  sold  his  homebtead,  Miu'ch  2d,  1C92-3,  to 


Digitized  by  Google 


lilSlOfiV  OF  WATEKBUBY. 


Thomas  Kichason  for  £60.   Afterwards,  Isaac  Brooson  bought 
his  right  in  the  undivided  lands. 
He  married  Nov.  5,  1679,  Elizabeth  Wrothem,  and  died 

Oct.  25,  17ti3.    His  widow  died  Jan.  S,  1789-40.    The  births 
of  the  children,  except  Sutjamia,  are  recorded  iji  rurmington. 
Children  : 

1.  Thomas;  b.  Oct.  1,  1681.    lie  bad  do  faiuily. 

2.  BinKnii  b.  April  1,  ud  bftptixed  JiuM  1,  1888;  m.  UebitaMe  Bird  and 
]Ut7  WalUf. 

3.  Susanna  ;  bap.  April  24,  1687,  and  d.  Sept.  24,  1704. 

4.  Josopb  ;  b.  Nov.  1,  Uc  livod  in  Southiiigtnti. 

5.  Elizabeth  ;  b.  Nuv.  2*.),  ItidS.    She  m.  Jouatbau  Lvwis. 

6.  Sarah;  b.  Jan.  1,  1698. 

7.  Esther;  b.8ept.  IS,  1705. 

Rev.  JEREMIAH  PECK. 

He  was  a  son  of  Dca.  William  Peck,  one  ot'  the  comj)any 
that  made  the  first  settlement  in  New  Haven,  in  1«>3S,  and 
one  of  those  who  ei^j^ned  the  fnndamental  articles  in  1639. 
Dea.  Peck  was  cliosen  deacon  in  1C51),  and  was  one  of  tlie  trus- 
tees of  the  Grammar  School  for  many  years,  and  died,  leaving 
a  small  j)r()]M  rty,  in  Lyme,  Oct.  4,  1694,  aged  93.  In  his 
will,  dated  March  9,  1688-9,  he  names  88  his,  the  Ibllowing 
children: 

1.  Jeremiah.  He  was  born  in  London  or  its  neighliorhood. 
2.  Joseph,  lie  was  baptized  in  Kew  Haven,  Jan.  17,  1041; 
settled  in  Savbrook  and  afterwards  in  Lvmc.  3.  John.  He 
m.  Xov.  3, 1604,  Mary  Moss,  and  had  four  children,  bom  in 
New  Haven.  He  removed  to  WaUingford.  4.  Elizabeth.  She 
m.  Samuel  Andrews,  and  appears  to  have  bad  five  children 
born  in  New  Haven. 

Of  tlie  Eev.  Jeremiah  Peck,  the  first  minister  of  Water> 
bmy,  I  shall  give  a  more  detailed  aecoimt  hereafter.  His 
house  and  house  lot,  given  him  by  the  town,  were  on  the  north- 
east comer  of  West  Main  street,  the  lot  being  bounded,  Feb., 
1693-4,  eaafterly  on  David  and  Kobert  Scott,  east  on  Edmund 
Scott,  north,  south  and  west  on  highways. 

Mr.  Peck's  will,  (which  is  a  gift<leed,)  bearing  date  ^  Jan. 
14, 1696,"  is  a  document  of  some  interest  It  is  recorded  in 
the  first  volume  of  the  Waterbnxy  Land  Becords,  page  6.  It 
enumerates  the  books  which  seem  to  have  constituted  his 


Digitized  by  Google 


170 


UISTOKY  OF  WATJBBBintT. 


library.  They  arc  sixteen  in  number,  all  of  tlicni  of  a  relig- 
ious cliaracter.  His  liousc  and  house  lot  he  prave  to  his 
son  Jeremiah.  His  other  lanil>,  divided  and  undivi»led,  in 
Waterhury,  and  his  husbandry  implements,  he  gave  to  Jer- 
emiah and  Joshua,  tliey  to  provide  for  him  and  his  wife,  "  in 
sickne:ia  and  health,  both  cloatlis,  food  and  tibick,"  during 
life. 

The  widow  of  Mr.  Peck  lived  several  years  after  his  decease. 
I  find  her  will  recorded  iu  the  lirst  volume  of  Laud  liecords, 
bearing  date  Oct.  Ttli,  1706.   It  reads  thua : 

I  JoMuia  P«ck  y*  reUcfc  of  Mr.  Jeremiah  Peek  give  [fte.]  to  my  deagfater  uwe 
J*  higett  pater  platter  a  winecort  cubard  and  here  choyg  of  too  more  platters  [&] 

T*  great  taltJc ;  and  to  nnnas  daupjhter  y*  draw  l»<»x  aiul  a  too  yer  oUl  hefor — i 
giue  to  jereniiah-?  dnii^'litcr  y«  brass  pan  only  tbey  arc  not  now  to  com  to  y*  poa- 
edion  of  it  till  after  uiy  death  [&c.] 

The  remainder  of  her  estate  she  gave  to  Jereiniali  and 
Joshua.  She  was  still  Hying  in  Waterbniy,  Jan.  23, 1711 . 
Children : 

1.  Samiiol;  b.  .Jan.  18,  IfiaS-V),  at  Guilford  and  settled  in  Greenwich.  He  was 
a  justice  of  the  peace  aud  a  protuiaeut  man  of  that  town,  and  d.  April  28,  1746. 
He  if  nid  to  have  had  twelve  chndren. 

8.  Rvth ;  b.  in  Nev  Haven,  April  S,  1661 ;  m.  Jonatliaii  Atwater,  of  New  Ha^ 
ven,  "  merchant  tailor,"  June  1,  1681,  and  had  ten  children. 

Oaleh.  He  proposed  to  settle  in  Watrrbury  with  his  father,  and  had  a  grant 
of  a  house  lot  aud  other  lands,  provided  he  did  so ;  but  he  tiually  concluded  to 
remain  in  Greenwich. 

4.  Anna ;  m.  1690,  Thomas  Stanley,  eon  of  Oapt.  John  of  Farmington. 

r>.  Jeremiah,  He  waa  a  frot-holdiT  in  Greenwich  in  May,  1689,  and  came  to 
Waterbury  with  his  father.  IIo  had  a  house  lot  on  Willow  street,  next  to  Benja- 
min Jones'  home  lot,  and  other  lands,  granted  him  on  the  usual  conditions.  Half 
of  the  school  lot  or  propriety,  it  appears,,  was  also  given  to  hiui.  In  Aug.  1709,  he 
pnrdiaaed  for  £20  Israel  IU^hason*s  house  and  home  lot,  on  the  comer  of  Bast 
Hahi  and  Cherry  streets,  bat  whether  he  OTor  lived  In  the  house,  I  knom  not.  He 
removed  into  the  north  part  of  the  town  a  Httle  before  the  Northbury  sodety  waa 
organized. 

Jeremiah  Peck  was  collector  of  town  rates  in  1703  ;  con.stable  in  1713,  1717 
aud  1723,  and  a  deputy  to  the  General  Court  in  May,  172U  and  1721.  He  was 
one  of  the  two  first  deacons  of  the  Northbnry  ehoreh,  appointed  1789.  His  wife 

was  Rachel,  the  d.  of  Obadiab  Richards,  to  whom  he  was  m.  June  14, 1704.  He 
d.  1762,  havinp  had  nine  children, — Johanna,  Jeremiah,  Rachel,  Anna,  Mary, 
Phebe,  Ruth,  Ksthcr,  Martlia.  All  except  Esther  survived  their  father.  The 
mother  liad  previously  died.  Dea.  Peck's  inventory  atnouuted  to  £3,702,  12s.  6d. 
6.  Joahna.  He  was  the  youngest  son.  Mothuig  was  said  about  him  at  the 


Digitized  by  Google 


HIBTOBY  OF  WAIBBBUBT. 


in 


time  hU  father  settled  in  Watorbury,  wlion  Jiis  brothers  were  provided  for ;  for 
the  rea«ou,  it  m  presumed,  that  he  v/oa  then  a  minor.  "March  28,  16<.t4-r>/'  [a  mis- 
take probtbly  for  1695,  j  he,  for  iIm  first  time,  Ind  a  gn&t  horn  the  proprictora  of 
four  acres,  f6r  **  a  home  lot  where  he  can  find  it  between  this  and  the  last  of  April 
next,  he  to  build,"  &c. 

Joshua  I'eek  is  rarely  named  and  does  not  feeiu  to  have  been  of  "  nuu  h  nc- 
eoiint."  as  the  world  goes.  Ue  may  liave  lieen  sickly  or  weakly.  He  convi  yt  d  to 
hid  brother  Jeremiah,  March  6,  Ii28-'J,  ull  his  right,  title,  interest  or  deuiuuds 
in  lands  or  propriety  in  Waterburj  whether  divided  or  unttvided,**  in  considera- 
tion of  which,  he,  tiie  said  Jeremiah,  or  his  heirs,  was,  in  the  words  of  the  rec- 
ord, to  take  care  of  me  and  find  and  provide  for  mc  good  and  sufficient  meat, 
drink,  apparel,  washin<;  and  lodging,  and  take  care  of  mc  both  in  sickness  and  in 
health,  so  long  as  1  Uve  with  him."   lie  died  Feb.  14,  unmarried. 

PO&TER. 

Daniel  Porter,  let,  was  early  in  the  Colony.  In  Marcb, 
1644-5,  He  was  fined,  by  the  ^  P'ticnler  Court,"  forty  shillings 
for  an  offense  against  the  rights  of  property.  He  was  licensed 
to  practice  physic  and  chirorgery,  in  1654,  by  the  General 
Court  In  1661-8,  it  was  ordered  that  his  yearly  salary  should 
be  paid  out  of  the  public  treasnry,  while  his  fee-table  was  es- 
tablished by  law.  Though  not  an  original  proprietor)  he  set- 
tled early  in  Farmingtou,  and  was  required  to  attend  upon  the 
sick  in  Hartford,  Windsor,  Wethersfield,  and  occasionally  in 
Middletown.  In  1668,  he  was  *^  freed  from  watching,  wardeing 
and  tryncinge,"  and  in  the  next  year  had  a  special  grant  from 
the  Court  for  his  services.*  He  was  more  particularly  celebrated 
as  a  "  bonesetter,"  and  in  1671  his  salary  was  increased  thus: 

For  the  isu iKn  iL't  nu  nt  of  Danii'l  Porter  in  utonding  the  seruice  of  the  country 
in  setting  bones,  ^c,  the  Court  doe  hereby  augment  his  sallery  from  six  pounds  a 
yeare  to  twehie  ponnds  annnm,  and  doe  adoiae  him  to  instniot  some  meet  person 
in  his  arte. 

Daniel  Porter^s  name  is  not  on  the  list  of  the  freemen  of 
Farmington  in  1669,  but  is  found  among  the  proprietors  of 
1G72.  He  died  in  1690.  His  wife's  name  was  Mary.  Tlieir 
children  were  :  1.  Daniel;  b.  Feb.  '2,  1652-3.  2.  Mary;  b. 
Feb.  5,  1654-5,  and  ni.  Elcazcr  Kiiowlcs  of  Woodbury.  3. 
Nehemiah  ;  b.  Oct.  24,  1656  ;  m.  Hannah  Lum  of  "Woodbury, 

*  ThU  wai  a  giaat  100  acres  whlcb  the  grante*  look np  near  the  northwest  corner  of  Wal- 
linfford.  It,  hovoTor,  proved  not  to  be  colony  land,  aa  rappoied,  and  the  Aaacmbly  granted,  in 
17S8,  on  petition,  to  the  grandsons  of  Daniel  Porter,  (Daniel  Porter,  son  of  Daniel  of  Waterbarjt 
•ad  H«t«ki:ili  Porter  of  Woodbury,  ion  of  Rlohsrd  of  NoW  BaTOB^  100  aOTOI  WWt  Of  HOUMtonlO 

«r  Stratford  AlTcr.  (Towtia  and  LoDda.] 


Digitized  by  Google 


172 


HUTO&r  OF  WATESKXT. 


and  <].  17l'2.    4.  Richard;  b.  March       1«>^^.    5.  Anne:  b. 

n.>t  married.    6.  John;  b.  Xot.  14.  m.  Re- 

fKrcca  Wf^-vlr'  .rti  and  Martha  Xorth.  an«i  d,  174^'.  7.  Samnel; 
b.  Oct.  24,  !'■/♦>.>  :  m.  Abiirail  Ilumphrev*  of  Sinisburv,  an«i  d. 
March  -J.^,  17->;.  ife  wa>i  a  dv>ct«>r,  and  succeetieti  to  Lis 
fatiier'd  ba^ines:^  in  Famiington. 

I^AXIEL  PORTER.  (Jc) 

lie  siifned  tlie  articli-^,  I'^r  his  larher  did  for  Lira — •*  Diiiiid 
Porter  for  aon.*^  in  1^74.  He  had  an  <'.li  t<.\rn  plot  l^t  and 
a  meadow  all'»rm»-rit  in  the  be^inninir  ot'  the  settlement,  and  a 
profx-irtion  of  fence  in  all  the  divi-ions.  Ili.^  name  is  never 
ifienti«»ned  on  the  earlie-t  record-,  except  as  trrantcc  >>t  propri- 
etor. 2s*o  reference  whatever  U  made  to  hi-  ••ceupatL'>n  till 
Feb,  22,  l^f'/Mf-T,  wli^  ri  he  is  calk-d.  in  a  «iecd,  "  b'.at;.ct:er." 
After  tlil-i  he  U  termed,  in  the  record,  Doctor  Porter.  lie 
may  iiot  hav»-  taken  n{>  tlie  ])U.-ine^.•i  of  his  father  till  at\er  the 
deafh  of  the  latter.  Ilia  knowledffe  apf»ears  to  have  V>een 
empyrical,  rather  than  scientific,  lliere  were  but  few  educa- 
ted surgeons  or  physicians  in  the  countri',  at  that  dajr.  Cler- 
gymen not  infrequently  practiced  the  healing  art. 

Dr.  Porter  had  but  little  to  do  with  the  town  business.  He 
was  town  suneyor,  lK»wever,  in  WJO  and  1719,  and  school 
committee  in  1700.  He  liad  a  house  lot  on  the  main  street 
nr  rir  tlie  center  of  the  village,  where  the  Scovill  Iloiifle  now 
staodA,  extending  through  to  Grand  street,  containing  abont 
two  acres.  Adjoining  lots  are  bounded  on  it,  in  1687,  bnt  it 
is  not  then  called  a  house  lot,"  acording  to  the  custom.  It 
does  not  seem  to  have  been  recorded  at  all.  Jan.  fl,  1696,  the 
town  granted  him  a  j>iece  of  land,  (.^'c,  ]>rovided  he  bnild  a 
tenantablo  hous  within  thre  yeii^."  This  language  by  no 
means  proves  that  he  had  not  already  built  a  house,  (or  bought 
one,)  as  the  articles  required ;  nor  indeed  is  it  evidence  that  he 
did  not  own  one  at  the  time.  8oon  after  he  had  taken  a  wife, 
his  lot  is  called  a  house  lot  It  was  bounded,  in  1687,  north 
and  south  on  highway,  west  on  Timothy  Standlej^s  house  lot, 
east  on  Abraham  Andruss,  Jr's  house  lot  In  March,  1707-8, 
he  enlarged  it  by  purchasing  of  Abraham  Andruss,  son  of 
Abraham,  deed.,  the  place  next  his  on  the  east,  the  considera- 


Digilized  by  Google 


BISTORT  OF  WATER8UBT. 


Its 


tion  being  .£20  cash.  After  Porter's  death,  liis  son  Thomas 
bought  of  the  otlicr  heirs  the  whole  property,  four  and  a  half 
acres,  "  excepting  twenty  foot  square  on  the  east  side,  joining 
the  highway,  to  build  a  small  house  upon,"  which  his  brother 
James  reserved  for  himself. 

Daniel  Porter*8  death  took  place  Jan.  IS,  1726-7.  His 
whole  estate  was  appraised  at  about  £1,2G5 ;  his  house  and 
home  lot  at  £190 ;  his  propriety  right  at  £45 ;  five  cows  at  £20. 
His  medical  library  c«)iisisted  of  "  a  bone  set  book,  2b."  Much 
of  his  property  he  had  given  away  to  his  cliiltlren  during  his 
life-time.   He  left  a  widow,  Deborah.   She  d.  May  U,  1765. 

Children : 

1.  Daniel;  b.  Mweh  6, 1699;  mar.  Hannmb^  d.  of  John  Hopkins,  and  d.  Nor. 
14|  lt72.  He  waj«  a  bm  helor  proprietor  and  "  hoiux-tter,"  and  siu-occdod  to  his 
father's  business  and  skill.  July  ."i,  17'jr),  lii-  f.itln  r  convcyiMl  to  liiiii,  Iih  eldest 
son,  "that  he  may  have  couveniency  of  building  and  a  houi^e  lot  in  the  town, 
aevan  and  » luilf  acres  at  the  east  eod  of  the  town,  aorth  and  east  on  highway, 
south  on  mn  River,  west  on  bounds  made  by  John  ScoviO,  Sen.,  and  Clap. 
Ephraim  Warner,'^  in  1770.  This  to  the  lot  whidl  Use  between  Ea^t  Main  8trcet, 
Mill  street.  Hn<l  the  Mad  RlTer,  on  the  northwest  comer  of  wliich  Porter  built  a 
houi^c  and  lived. 

2.  James ;  b.  April  20,  1700).  He  too  was  a  doctor,  settled  at  Hop  Swamp,  and 
d.  March  20,  17U. 

S.  Thomas;  b.  April  1,  1702.  He  BTed  on  the  east  side  of  Bank  street,  near 
the  Rapti>st  church,  and  late  iti  life  reinoTod  to  Salem.  He  died  in  Jan.  1797* 
He  was  frequently  sfleetmau,  imd  became  a  captain. 

4.  Deborah  ;  b.  March  6,  17u3-4;  m.  James  Baldwin. 

fi.  EbenoMT;  b.  Dec  S4,  1708 ;  n.  Mary,  d.  of  John  Hull  of  Kew  Haren. 

6b  Ann;  b.  April  28, 1712;  m.  Thomas  Judd  and  James  Kichdsi 

RICHARD  PORTER. 

He  was  not  a  pro|>rietor  of  Waterbury  sufficiently  early  to 
have  one  of  the  old  town  plot  lots,  or  an  allotment  <^  either  of 
the  four  first  divisions  of  fence.  He  was  accepted  by  the 
grand  committee,  ]>robabl7  1684,  having  one  of  the 
smallest  rights,  (£50.)  I  do  not  find  his  name  mentioned  till 
1686.  In  May,  1688,  he  had  liberty  to  record  his  lands,  hav- 
ing then,  I  suppose,  coin|iHed  with  the  conditions  of  a  sub- 
scriber and  proprietor.  He  bad  two  acres  "for a  house  lot," 
within  the  south  meadow  pate  on  tlie  corner  near  the  j)reiient 
corner  of  I'aiik  and .Mradow  street,  boundid,  Dee.  l()i)U  wcfit. 
south  and  east  on  highway,  nortli  on  Jonathan  Scott.  After- 


Digitized  by  Google 


mSTOBY  OF  WATEBBLKY. 


wards,  March  18, 1694-5,  he  bought  of  the  widow  of  Abraham 

Andruss,  Jr.,  for  £26,  a  house  and  lot  of  three  acres  next  ad- 
joining him  on  the  north,  "lying  at  south  east  corner  of 
y*  town,"  east  and  west  on  highway,  north  on  Stephen  Upson 
and  s(»uth  on  said  Porter. 

Itichard  Porter  seems  to  liave  been  a  quiet  man,  having  but 
little  to  do  witli  ])nblic  hnsiness.  lie  was,  however,  surveyor 
in  1703  and  1704,  town  collector  in  1700,  school  committee 
in  1700  and  selectman  in  1713.  In  1712,  he  was  clioscn  "to 
dig  the  graves;"  and  a  hard  time  he  must  have  liad,  for  the 
great  sickness  was  in  the  town.  Afterwards,  he  removed  from 
the  place,  for  wliat  reason,  it  does  not  appear,  lie  staid,  how- 
ever, through  the  dark  days  of  the  settlement.  At\er  Dec. 
1716,  when  he  was  chosen  hay  ward,  his  name  does  not  appear  in 
the  Waterburv  records  as  an  inhabitant.  In  Xov.  17 IS,  he 
was  in  Xcw  Haven  in  the  part  called  West  Haven.  He  d.  in 
1739-40.  Hia  will,  dated  Kov.  13,  1738,  was  approved  Feb. 
1739-40,  his  son  Hezekiah  being  executor.  In  it  he  speaks  of 
himself  as  "being  weak  of  body  by  reason  of  age,"  alludea 
to  bis  wife,  to  whom  he  gives  his  house,  homestead  and  mova- 
bles, and  to  the  heirs  of  Daniel  of  Sinisbury  and  Samuel  of 
Waterbury,  who  had  received  their  portions.  His  land  and 
rights  of  land  in  Waterbury  were  to  be  divided  cfiually  among 
liis  other  children,  except  John  was  to  have  a  double  part  he 
not  being  able  to  shift  for  himself  so  well  as  the  others.'* 
Estate  in  New  Haven  £154;  in  Waterbury  £199.  Debts 
£28,  188. 

S^chard  Porter  is  called  Doctor  Porter  on  the  probate 
record  of  Kew  Haven,  but  never  in  Waterbury.  Probably 
he  took  up  the  business  of  doctoring  "  after  his  removal.  His 
first  wife,  named  Ruth,  d.  in  Waterbury,  Jan.  9, 1709-10. 

Children : 

1.  Datiiot ;  b.  before  h\a  father  came  to  Waterbury.  He  was  admitted  a 
bachelor  proprietor  Jan.  5,  1707-8,  and  rwMhted  in  Watmbury  ttreni  yean 
afterwarda ;  but  he  flnallj  removed  without  heTing  eompSed  with  the  eonditlopa 

of  the  grant  and  settled  in  Sim.<<t>urv.  whore  ho  had  a  family.    (Aeoilt  Joahoa, 

settled  in  Waterbury.)    He  wa»  n  doctor  ;ind  d.  before  his  father. 

2.  Jo.-ihiia;  b.  Axig.  7,  16S8,  in  Watfrhury,  and  d.  Nov.  19,  I7t>l). 

3.  Mary ;  b.  Jan.  14,  1690-i>l,  and  wa«  living  as  Mary  Northrop,  at  tiic  time  of 
her  fiither'fl  deeth. 


Digitized  by  Google 


mBfTCfSLT  OP  WATBBBUBT. 


175 


4.  Ruth  ;  b.  Oct.  1692,  and  was  living  as  Rutli  Cosset  at  her  father's  decease. 
6.  Sunvd;  b.  Mareli  tO,  m.  Mary,  d.  of  Jdm  Broxuon,  Kay  9,  1912.  • 

He  was  a  b«eh«Ior  proprietor,  adndtted  in  1716.  In  Dec.  1722,  his  iktlier  deeded 

to  him  a  part  of  his  house  lot  in  Waterburj,  three  acres,  bting  the  southeast  part 
of  the  old  homoi'toad,  southward  and  on^twanl  on  highway,  northward  on  patson- 
age  land,  westward  on  the  grantor:4  land.    He  d.  1727-8. 

6.  ilczckiah;  b.  Jan.  29,  and  d.  Aug.  1702. 

7.  John ;  b.  Jute  11,  1700;  was  liting  with  Dea.  dark  In  1780. 

8.  Timothy;  b.  Dec  21, 1701 ;  n.  Mary,  d.  of  Jonathan  Baldwfai,  of  Water* 
burr,  Dec.  18,  1785,  and  Hannah  Winter,  Aug.  27,  17G7.  He  had  a  house  hi  the 
southwe.-Jt  quarter  in  1764.    In  1732,  he  Hrcd  in  Stratford. 

9.  Hezeldah ;  b.  July  27,  1704.    Ue  was  living  in  Woodbury  in  1728,  and  in 
Waterbury  when  his  &ther  died. 

10.  Joshua;  b.  Not.  S,  1718,  his  birth  being  recorded  In  New  Haren. 

11.  Richard;  1>.  Aug.  22, 1722. 

12.  Lydia ;  was  living  as  Lydia  Pardee  of  New  Haren,  at  her  iatber*s  decease. 

ROBERT  PORTER. 

lie  was  a  first  settler  Imt  not  an  ori<j^inal  proprietor  of  Far- 
mington.  It  is  not  known  wliat  relation,  if  any,  lie  was  to 
Daniel  and  Thomas  Porter,  ixho  of  F.  He  joined  the  church 
Oct.  13,  1652,  was  one  of  the  freemen  of  ItiGO,  and  of  the 
eighty-four  i)roi)rietors  of  1072.  He  lirst  subscribed  the 
articles  for  the  settlement  of  Mattatuek,  as  late  as  May  26, 
1684.  His  name  is  on  the  list  of  proprietors  of  1688,  and  it 
stands  first  among  the  subscribers  to  Mr.  Peek's  settlement. 
He  had  a  house  and  house  lot  on  the  north  side  of  West  Main 
street,  one  acre  and  a  half,  bounded,  Feb.  1687-8,  "northerly 
and  southerly  on  high-way,  easterly  on  Thomas  Ilancox  his 
land  belonging  to  Ensign  Judd,  west  on  John  Warner  his 
land.''  This  property  his  son  Tliomas  sold,  Jan.  1692-3,  to 
Abraliam  Andniss,  Jr. 

Kobert  Porter  m.  1644,  Mary,d.  of  Thomas  Scott  of  Hartford. 

Children: 

1.  Mary;  b.  Feb.      1646,  and  m.  Bei^anihi  Andmss. 

2.  John ;  b.  Nov.  12,  1648,  and  d.  before  1C86. 

3.  Tlioiiuis;  b.  Oct.  29,  1650;  m.  May,  If.TS,  Ahapail  Towh-H,  and  d.  1710.  He 
was  executor  of  \m  fatbcr'n  will,  and  the  only  >iiii  viviiii;  .«oii  and  principal  heir. 
He  was  a  tailor  by  trade,  lived  in  Faruiingtou,  and  d.  in  17  lU. 

4.  Bobert;  b.  Nor.  IS,  166S,  and  d.  168». 

6.  EUabeth ;  b.  Jan.  11, 16S1M,  and  m.  Tbonai  Andrews  of  MUford. 

6.  Joanna;  baptized  Jan.  6,  \e>r,ry-(\. 

7.  Snrah ;  h.  Deo  20,  ir.57,  and  m.  Abraham  AttdnisB  (cooper)  of  Waterbury, 

and  James  Benedict  of  Danbury. 


Digitized  by  Google 


mSTOST  OF  WATESBUSY. 


8.  Benjain'm;  b.  Kftfeh  18,  1659-60,  and  d.  1689,  leAving  hte  widow  pregnant. 
She  m.  Jnne^  1689,  Edmnnd  Scott,  Jr.*  ' 

9.  Hannah,  or  Ann.  ;  V>  April,  1664,  and  m.  John  Browna. 

10.  Hepstbah;  b.  JUrch  4,  1666. 

Bobert  Porter  married  (after  1675)  for  Iub  second  wife, 
Hannah,  the  widow  of  Stephen  Freeman  of  Newark,  (East 
Jeney,)  and  the  mother  of  the  wife  of  Tliomas  Jndd,  smith. 
He  died  in  1 689.  The  inventory  of  his  estate  was  taken  Sept. 

18,  1689,t  and  amounted  to  £179,  14s.  in  Waterbnry,  and 
£70,  Gs.  in  Fannington.  The  children  named  are  Thomas, 
Mary,  Elizabeth,  Surah,  Hannah. 

OBADIAH  RIGHAKDS. 

Thomas  llicliards,  tlie  father  of  Obadiah  of  Watorl)nrv,  was 
early  in  Hartford.  lie  was  oiieof  those  wlio,  in  IT.;]!),  liad  the 
priviU^ge  of  getting  wood  and  keeping  cows  on  tlie  coiunion. 
lie  8oon  died,  liowcver,  and  liis  hinds  went  into  the  possession 
of  his  widow,  who  bronght  up  tlie  children.  At  her  deatli,  in 
1671,  tlie  estate  went  to  the  children, — John,  (born  in  1()31, 
and  married  Lydia  Stocking,)  Mary  Peck,  (of  Miltord,)  Tli(»m- 
as,  (married  Mary,  daughter  of  Dea.  Parsons  of  Spi  ingtield, 
1691,)  and  Obadiah.    A  son,  Samuel,  died  before  his  mother. 

Obadiah  Richards  was  an  early  but  not  a  first  settler  of 
Farmington.  He  was  "  presented  lor  freeman  "  to  the  Court, 
May,  1669  ;  was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  1672 ;  took  an  ear- 
ly interest  in  the  Mattatuck  enterprise ;  was  one  of  the  origi- 
nal thirty,  &c.  There  is  evidence  tliat  he  joined  the  settle- 
ment earljr,  in  the  fact  that  he  had  an  old  town  plot  lot  and  a 


*  "A  pftper  whith  Ed  roan  Scots  CMSd  to  hif  ttitred  [on  rfle0fd]>-4he  contenU  nowfoOow— 
ft  Know  tU  m«a  whom  Itt  uwjr  eone«ni«  ihmi  I  ftolMrt  Poftw:  of  wUnstharj  Immm  formerljr 
glQcn  to  mr  toon:  twnjamln:  thre  p«nelli  of  land  ftlowlBf  vlileh  bdng  now  dcMMd 
[deceftscii]  my  dcAirt-  u  tlmt  If  Itt  plean  god  to  giote  him  an  beire:  that  tbo  Undt  boraftor:  neo- 
tloood:  ni»7  fall  to  It  but  m  i  dcoire  the  'lord  aajr  roqolto  tho  wife  of  ay  nod  deeaMd:  ■» 
thew  are  to  dodare  that  1  doo  aeqaeeter:  the  right  to  the:  on  of  th«  laoda  (toOowlaf  to  the  wlA 
of  my  aoa  aboue  Mild  defied  during  her  naturall  life:  via  [vU  :]— [here  arc  enumerated  oerea 
pleeet  of  laad,'  twenty  fonr  acree  In  all]— all  which  parselli  of  land  aa  thej  ly  my  dafter 
[daughter]  ^kooo  aald  diall  and  may  quiatly  peubly  ocupy  poMO  and  injoy  [Ac.,]  my  hand 
aadaeatothtotttthlMt 

Robert  porter 

t  There  aro  dlicrcpanciea  as  to  dates  which  1  am  unable  now  to  reconcile,  ills  gift  deed  re- 
latiat  to  Ml  wMi  BdManin**  wMov  bean  data  19.  Mil,  vUeh,  In  new  ilyla,  ahoald  read 
Peb.  19,  \  fw ;  and  yet,  the  said  wldov  If  itatad  oa  tho  record  to  bar*  married  ■domad  Beott 

**aoinclime  in  June  lCd9." 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


...... 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATERBOBY. 


177 


proportion  of  fence  in  all  tlie  divisions.  But  he  had  a  tardy, 
slip-j-liod  way  of  doiii*^  things ;  and  wlien  tlie  crisis  came,  it 
w&s  found  that  lie  had  uot  rendered  a  full  compliance  with  the 
conditions  of  the  articles,  and'his  allotments  were  condemned 
in  1682-3.  He  mended  his  ways,  however,  and  his  rights 
were  restored.  As  a  grantee,  I  do  not  find  his  name  earlier 
than  10sr>. 

Obadiah  Richards  appears  to  have  been  one  of  the  rank  and 
file  of  the  yonng  town — an  excellent  man,  it  is  safe  to  say. 
He  had  a  house  and  home  lot  on  the  north  side  of  West  Main 
street,  next  west  of  Philip  Judd's.  The  lot  his  by  purchase 
as  a  planter  ")  contained  three  acres,  and  was  the  first  (going 
from  east  to  west)  which  ran  through  to  the  back  street  It 
was  bounded,  Jan.  1703-4,  west  on  Thomas  Judd's  house  lot, 
east  on  a  house  lot  belonging  to  the  heirs  of  Philip  Judd, 
deceased. 

Both  Bichards  and  his  wife  Hannah  were  members  of  Mr. 
Hooker's  church  of  Farmington.  After  lingering  for  some 
time  in  poor  health,  he  died  Nov.  11,  1702.  His  inventory 
amounted  to  £138.  (His  widow  died  about  Maj,  1725.)  A 
year  before  his  decease,  he  disposed  of  much  of  his  estate  by 
the  following  writing,  which  is  recorded  in  Vol.  I,  Land 
Records,  p.  102 : 

Tlii.'J  wrifrlitinfr  iiiatle  y«  souonto<Mith  of  may  on«?  thonian  .«»'Uon  hiiiidrvil 
utid  une  wittuv-iseth  I  obadiah  Kicburd:<  ticti'  [&c.]  for  good  and  law  full  resins 
do  giue,  [&c.]  unto  my  well  beUraed  children  aa  foUoweth  tret  hauing  a  pece  of 
nplend  altoated  in  waterirarj  lying  norweet  from  woater  ewamp  by  ectlmetion 
fifteen  acrri^  butting  on  euery  sd  on  cont'on  famdii  and  I  being  by  siclcncsg  layd 
by  Hot  alilo  to  liihour  and  «d  lands  of  no  bonefit  without  fjroat  ohor?  [rhar;r<*]  bo- 
atoed  on  it  and  for  y«  incuragmiMit  of  niy  too  soons  John  and  Obcdiah  to  build  on 
and  breck  up  sd  land.'*  v*  I  and  mj  wife  haue  torn  Releife  by  it  do  by  ihia  giue  y* 
one  half  of  ad  land,  to  my  aoon  John  and  y*  other  half  to  obadiah  ft  to  obadfaih 
my  part  of  sd  buOdings  y*  ad  John  and  obadiah  hauc  begun  on  these  condition.4  not 
to  com  to  full  posesj(ion  of  it  till  nOer  niy  donth  and  after  y*  to  alow  my  wife 
fotir  buxliills  of  frrain  by  >•  vein  sui  li  a*  LuhI  produtM";  if  they  iinjiroue  it  and 
my  BOOUiijohu  an<l  obadiah  to  haue  nd  lundti  and  buildings  after  my  deccos  aslhcir 
own  free  eatate  [&;c.]  ^ly  to  my  aoona  lluMnaa  and  ben^ln  Biebarda  my  three 
acer  lot  y*  lyea  northward  from  j*  town  witUn  y«  eom'on  fene  on  y*  aame  con- 
ditions y*  John  and  obadiah  has  theirs  [&c.]  furdcr  I  fd  olmdiah  Richards  sen*  to 
my  eldcHt  foon  John  my  a  lot  iiu-nt  att  lun  ks  nioadow  [kc]  for  puor  to  br  aronnt- 
ed  to  him  and  his  acknowlt  tlL'UKMit  a.«  my  oldv«t  soon  and  aftor  in  other  dititrilMitionj* 
to  be  but  equoll  with  v*  re&t  of  uiT  children — y*  obligation  of  John  and  obadiah 

12 


Digitized  by  Google 


178 


UlbTOllY  OF  WATEUBUBY. 


to  my  wife  if  i  dj  before  her  is  during  her  widowhood  and  thomu  Mid  bti^jamin 
iM  free  from  paying  any  obligation  to  mj  wifb  for  y*  lot  i  haue  here  ginen  y*  as 
witneaa  mjr  hand  oud  »eaUe 

Obudiuh  RicliardsSen' 

Children : 

1.  John;  b.  1667. 

2.  Hary ;  b.  Jan.,  1669,  m.  George  Scott, 

3.  Hannah;  b.  Nov.  1671,  m.  John  ScovUI,  («d.) 

4.  Esther;  b.  June,  ni.  Ephniiin  Warner. 

5.  Elizabeth;  b.  July,  1676,  m.  John  Ricluirds,  son  of  Thomas. 

6.  Sarah ;  b.  April,  1677,  m.  David  Seotft. 

7.  Oba^ah ;  b.  Oct.  1, 1679.  He  was  bi^  in  Famungtoo,  March  U,  1679-80,  at 
tlie  same  time  with  his  sisters,  Mary,  Hannah,  Esther,  Elizabeth,  Sarah.    He  was  a 

£40  proprietor,  admitted,  Dec.  n<X> ;  one  of  the  coniiuittec  that  settled  the  bounds 
with  Derby  in  April,  17<t:<,  and  a  fem  e  viewer  the  Kunie  year.  Sdoii  after,  when  his 
rights  bad  been  made  sure,  and  thick  gloom  wad  bettling  over  the  plauterd  of  Wa- 
teibnry,  he  made  Us  escape,  and  wss  next  heard  of  in  Lyme.  There  he  died 
about  1707.  In  1720,  his  administrators,  Jabes  and  Sarah  Watroos,  sold  out  his 
lands,  rights,  ic,  in  Waterbtiry,  to  Joseph  Lathrop  of  Norwich  for  £80. 

8.  Racin  l  ;  b.  May  0,  1088,  ni.  Jeremiah  Peck,  ('2d.) 

9.  Thonuis;  b.  Aug.  9,  lt»85.  lie  was  made  a  bachelor  proprietor  in  1707-8; 
m.  Uauuah,  d.  of  Stephen  Upson,  (1st,)  and  d.  in  1726.    Estate,  £288. 

10.  Bei\j«min ;  b.  April  5, 1691.  He  was  accepted  as  a  bachelor  proprietor  as 
soon  as  he  was  of  age,  and  d.  June  2, 1714,  without  a  family.  His  brother  John 
was  administrator,  his  estate  going  to  his  brothers  and  sisters. 

JOHN  KICHARDS. 

He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Obadinli,  hut  appears  not  to 
liare  been  an  original  proprietor.  In  1700-1,  Jan.  15,  he 
purchased  (of  the  executor)  Hubert  Porter's  £100  right,  and 
tlic  purchase  was  recorded  in  a  tbrnial  way.  And  yet,  he  is 
always  named  on  the  division-li.sts  as  an  £80  proprietor.  He 
is  iirstspokenof  Jan.  21^  1680,"  when  heliad  a  grant  of  land 
of  four  acres,  on  the  usual  conditions  of  building  and  cohab- 
iting four  years."  In  JDecember,  1690,  he  received  twelve 
acres,  "  abought  three  quarters  of  a  mile  up  y*  spruce  brook 
aboue  moun  taylor  on  y«  east  sd  y*  great  riuer  on  y*  same 
conditions,"  &e.  In  1692,  Aug.  17,  he  got  married,  and  soon 
after  had  a  house  on  the  west  side  of  the  "mill  patii."  May 
7, 1694,  the  town  granted  him  "  liberty  to  let  his  house  stand 
where  now  it  is  and  to  haue  the  land  and  to  run  to  the  rear  of 
John  Hopkins  home  lot  he  setting  the  fence  on  the  north  side 
tlie  path  that  now  leads  to  the  com  mUl  and  to  relinquish  that 


Digitized  by  Google 


UI8T0UY  OF  WATERBUBY. 


170 


part  of  his  lot  that  nixis  the  north  aide  the  path."*  The 
lot  was  afterwards  ("March  28, 1694-5")  granted  in  a  more 

formal  manner,  butted  south  on  Stephen  Upson,  west  on  John 
Hopkins  and  a  great  lot  and  on  Thomas  Warner,  and  north 

on  the  patli  leading  to  the  corn  mill.  This  land,  called  three 
acros,  witli  the  hmise,  Kiehards  sold  in  March,  1C98-9,  to 
Tlioiiias  Warner,  taking  in  exchange  Warners  house  and  lot 
on  Bank  street,  near  the  present  Baptist  Church.  Here  he 
afterwards  resided  ;  hut  in  1727,  Sept.  28,  he  sold  out  for  £100, 
conveying  the  property  (two  and  three  (quarter  acres  of  land) 
to  Jonathan  Prindle. 

John  Richards  seems  to  have  maintained  a  respectable  stand- 
ing, lie  was  several  times  collector  of  minister's  rates,  school 
committee,  grand  juror,  &c.  In  1700, 1701, 1712,  1713,  1720, 
he  was  selectman,  and  in  May,  1723,  a  deputy  to  the  General 
Court.  lie  died  early  in  1735.— Estate  £1,(305, 10s.  lOd.  His 
will  was  dated  June  7,  1733,  and  proved  April  22d,  1735. 
Several  children  are  named. 

His  wife  was  Mary,  a  daughter  of  John  Welton,  to  whom 
he  was  married  Aug.  17,  1692. 

THOMAS  RICHASOK. 

He  was  an  early  bat  not  a  first  settler  of  Farmington,  and 
was  one  of  the  eighty-four  proprietors  of  1673.  In  1674^  he 
snbseribed  the  articles  for  settling  Hattatack,  and  was  snffi- 
cientlj  earlj  in  his  movements,  as  a  planter,  to  secure  an 
old  town  plot  lot,  and  a  portion  of  fence  in  each  of  the  four 
divisions.  Though  a  very  good  man,  ai>[)arently,  (I  tin<l  him 
called  Goodraauf  Richason  at  an  early  date,)  he  had  mtt  a 
"steady  way,'^  or  was  slow  in  meeting  his  engagements,  and 
his  rights  were  declared  forfeiteil  in  1682-3.  Jjut  like  others  * 
in  a  similar  predicament,  he  hestired  himself  and  regained 
possession.  He  had  but  a  £50  right,  and  comj)lained  to  tlie 
conimitteo,  ia  Feb.  1630-81,  that  he  was  in  want  of  land  to 


*  From  fill*  voti',  !t  wi>nli!  ^c^^-n  tfnt  tli.-  \^n  1,  at  the  time  the  hiu'e  erccteil,  was  comtmn 
land,  anil  that  aflernrAnU  a  roaJ  wai  ruu  thruujh  It  t j  the  mill,  learin;  a  small  portion  on 
**Ute  north  [or  nortbsMtcrlj]  aide." 

f  Thii  t'-riii  w  it  roraierlr  appUwl  to  ponoM  of  hoinUo  bat  mptetoUc  nodloorltj  m  to 
character  anil  i>uaititill. 


Digitized  by  Google 


180 


HISTORY  OF  WATE&BU&Y, 


improve.   lie  liad  liberal  grants  at  various  times,  and  was  a 

subscriber  to  Mr.  Peck's  settlement. 

Tliomus  Ricliason  ownc'd  a  lot,  in  1GS7,  on  the  south  side  of 
the  Green,  west  of  Mr.  Kendrick's ;  but  whether  he  hud  ii 
hou8e  there  and  lived  in  it,  I  am  unable  to  say.  In  ^farcli, 
1T02-3,  he  hought  of  Tliomas  Newel  for  £00  three  and  a  half 
acres  on  AVest  Main  street,  near  where  Samuel  J.  Holme.-?  now 
lives,  where  he  afterwards  appears  to  have  resided.  The  lot 
had  on  it  two  houses,  (one  of  which  had  been  Tliomas  Han- 
cock's,) and  was  l)<»unded  in  ITOs,  "west  on  the  Porters,"  cast 
on  John  Bronson,  north  and  south  on  highways. 

Thomas  Ricliason  d.  Nov.  14,  1712,  an<l  his  wife,  ^lary,  one 
week  afterwards,  Nov.  21 ,  lK)th  victims  of  the  great  sickness. 
Three  of  their  sons,  John,  Israel  and  Natliaiiiel,  also  d.  of  the 
pestilence  before  the  close  of  the  year. 

Children : 

1.  Mary  ;  b.  Doc.  2.5,  1667. 

2.  Sarah;  l>.  March  *2.">,  lrt69. 

3.  John;  h.  April  15,  ir,7'i,  d.  0,  t.  17,  ITl'i.  Hi>  m.  Ruth,  a  <kughter 
of  John  Wheeler,  ami  Eli/^iljeth,  a  tlaughtor  of  Nathaniel  Arnold,  Senr.  lie  waa 
admitted  to  bftelielor  privileges,  Hay  15,  1699,  but  he  bad  previoiuly  bad  liberal 
granta  of  kad.  Thellxstof  theee  waa  March  28, 16M-6— "fonraereaforabonae 
lot  on  the  north  side  the  highway  that  loads  to  Farmington,  the  oast  side  the  high- 
way that  ranpo;»  by  Sorg.  Stanloy's  lot  into  the  wood8  north,  ho  fulfilling  the  tarms 
of  original  articles.'"  This  lot  wa8  on  the  cast  corner  of  £a8t  Main  and  Cherry 
Streets,  and  on  it  Ricbarsoo,  himielf  a  carpenter,  built  a  houae.  It  waa  recorded 
to  him  Jan.  1708-4,  and  waa  doMribed  aa  lyfaig  northeaai  ftom  tbe  (own,  aonth 
and  west  on  highway,  and  north  and  cast  on  common  land.  Thi8  pluco  hedeeded 
at  about  the  last  named  date  to  his  brother  Ixraol,  receiving  in  excliange  a  honae 
and  lot  of  one  acre  noxt  hi.-'  fathor  on  tho  w  est  Hide. 

4.  Thomas,  lie  bad  a  grunt  ot  land  March,  ItilKj ;  was  accepted  as  a  bach,  pro- 
prietor, March  28, 1099 ;  remained  in  Waterbury  long  enough  to  aecute  his  right, 
and  then  removed  to  Wallingford.  He  waa  there  in  July,  1706.  After  hia  fitther*a 
death,  he  retnrecd  to  "\V;»f(  ilmry.  nml  nppointod  fence  viewer  in  1718, 
»»graTe  digiror"  in  1714,  1715  and  17  .\w\  hnyward  in  1714,  1717  and  1718. 
In  1710,  ( March  ',U\)  be  fiold  his  bou.sc  unil  lot  of  six  acres  on  the  north  nide  of 
West  Main  street,  (  north  and  south  on  highway,  east  on  Richards*  land,  and  west 
on  Ebeneser  Richaaon^a  houae  lot, )  to  Thomaa  Ucharda*  and  tetomed  to  Walling- 
ford,  where  he  waa  livfaig  in  1722,  a  fiuner. 

fi.  Israel.  He  had  a  grant  of  land  as  early  as  March  28,  If.Ol,  four  acres  for  a 
house  lot,  on  the  north  side  the  town,  "if  it  be  there  to  be  had,  he  fulfilling  tbe 
tarma  of  the  original  articles."  He  became  a  bach,  proprietor  March  2t>,  lHii9. 
Before  be  had  secured  his  right,  he  appears  to  have  left  the  plantation.  Dec.  81, 
1702,  the  town  granted  hhn    liberty  of  two  years  before  taldng  the  forfeiture  of 


Digitized  by  GoOglc 


UI$TOKV  OF  WATUUBUiiY. 


181 


hto  land  and  that  if  bo  come  again  in  two  yean  to  live  in  the  town  to  iuve  hia 
land,  bttt  if  he  do  not  then  to  low  hia  land  that  la  now  forlMted.**  He  returned, 

and  was  grave  digger  in  17(>7,  and  surveyor  in  1708  and  1709.  Bianamehe 
Hifrnod  by  a  mark  in  17o9.  Ho  lived  at  fir.-t  on  a  lot  of  ono  noro  next  his  father, 
which  the  Utter  gave  him  Murcli,  ItiUd-lTou,  bounded  March,  1703-4,  cuat  on 
Thofliaa  n^aaon'a  bouse  lot,  weat  od  Jonathan  Scott*a  home  lot,  north  and  aouth 
on  highway.  Thia  he  exchanged,  m  170S,  for  his  brother  John*a  place.  He  d.  of 
the  great  rickneaa,  Dec.  18,  1712,  a  few  weeka  before  hia  wife  and  hia  oldeet  child 
Mary. 

6.  Rebecca  ;  b.  April  27,  ir>79,  and  m.  John  Warner,  son  of  John.  This  is  the 
first  recorded  birth  in  Wuterburj. 

7.  Rath;  b.  Uaj  10, 1681,  became  the  eecond  wife  of  Henry  Castle  of  Wood* 
bury.  (Cothren.) 

8.  Johanna;  b.  Sop.  1,  1683,  m.  Isaac Caatle  of  Woodbury  ami  Paiiii  !  Warner 

9.  Nathaniel;  b.  May  2^,  l«}Stj.  He  was  accepted  a»  a  h,n  lu  lur, Jan  7,  17i»6-7  . 
March  13,  1710-11,  the  proprietor;!  gave  him  "four  scor  acui's  of  land  on  the 
north  sid  the  road  to  Woodbury  up  the  grat  brok  est  from  breck  nek  hill,  one 
thia  condition  that  he  tak  it  aa  hia  hole  proprity  aa  a  bachelderB  acomydaUon  and 
coninhabit  ten  year^  in  the  town  in  a  aeteled  way  and  bild  a  tcnitabcl  lious 
acording  to  originell  artycel.-i  in  five  yer.^  and  coinhabit  5  ycrs  after  bildinij  his 
hoii.<4."  Lieut.  Stanley,  £dmuud  Scotland  Jeremiah  Teck  protested  against  this  act 
of  the  proprietors. 

Nathaniel  Bicharaon,  d.  Nor.  8,  1712,  hia  death  Mcuring  hia  lands  and  righta^ 
which  went  to  Ua  brothers  and  sisters. 

10.  Ebcnczer;  b.  Feb.  4,  1  ('.89-90.    He  wo^  made  a  bach,  proprietor  March  5^ 

1711-12,  and  in.  Margaret,  daughter  of  Tlioinan  Warner.  Ho  wa.>(  one  of  the 
earliest  Hettlers  at  Wooster  Swauip,  living  near  "  Wooster  Brook."  He  d. 
June  30,  1772. 

SCOTT. 

Thomas  Scott  cf  Hartford,  an  oriiriiial  })roj>rit.'tor,  hut  not  a 
settler,  of  Farin'mirtoM,  had  u  son  Kdniund  and  two  daiightei-s, 
Mary,  who  ni.  Ko hurt  Porter,  aud  Sarah,  who  ra.  John  Stanley 
of  Fariningtou. 

EDMUND  SCOTT,  Sks. 

He  settled  in  Farmington,  with  children,  at  an  early  date, 
and  m.  the  widow  of  Thoina*  Upson.  His  two  youngest 
cliildren,  liobcrt  and  Joseph,  were  by  her.  He  was  one  of  the 
freemen  of  Farmington  of  1C69  aod  one  of  the  proprietors  of 
1672.  A  subscriber  of  ICTJ^,  he  was  among  the  earliest  that 
came  to  Mattatuek  .  I  lis  regular  allotments  of  fence,  &c.,  in- 
dic  ate  tliat  with  him  there  was  no  vascillation  of  purpose,  and 
that  he  discharged,  seasonably,  all  his  obligations.  He  is 


Digitized  by  Google 


182 


UISTOUy  OF  WATEBBU&T. 


mentioned  as  grantee  as  late  as  Jan.  21,  1089-90,  and  d.  soon 
allter,  before  June  2, 1690.  At  the  last  date,  his  m  ill  wiis 
proved,  but  liis  inventory,  showing  a  small  estate  of  $>17,  lis. 
Cd.,  was  not  presented  to  Court  till  April,  1601.  II is  nine 
children  are  named  on  the  probate  record,  several  of  whom 
remained  in  Watcrburv. 

Edmund  Scott's  house  stood  where  Green  Keudrick  now 
lives.  His  lot  contained  two  acres,  and  was  bounded,  Feb.  10, 
1G8T-S,  north  on  highway,  south  on  conniion,  east  on  John 
Carrington's  land,  west  on  Thomas  Kichason's  land.  His 
children  were  as  follows,  (not  arranged  probably  in  the  exact 
order  of  age :) 

1.  Edmund ;  m.  Smb,  widow  of  Benjamin  Porter,  June,  1689. 

2.  Samuot;  b.  16A0,  m.  Feb.  1686-7,  Mery  Orvice.  (W.  S.  Portor.) 

8.  EUnbeth ;  m.  Davu. 

4.  Hannah;  m.  John  Bronson,  hoii  of  Richard  of  FarmJnpton,  Oct.  1664t 
6.  Jonatlian;  m.  Hannali,  d.  of  John  liawkitof  Deerfield,  Nov.  1094. 

6.  George ;  m.  Aug.  1691,  Mary,  d.  of  (MMuUeli  Kdmds,  end  d.  Sep.  20,  1724, 
leaving  an  estate  to  be  dietributed  of  £606,  12b.  Ho  was  a  bach,  proprietor,  bring 
admittcMl,  it  appears,  Jan.  5,  1707-S,  after  he  had  been  many  yeare  n  married 
man.  Ik*  had  a  prant  of  a  house  lot  of  four  acres,  ns  early  as  Dec.  1687, 
drsorihcd  as  "on  llic  liighway  tliat  runs  over  the  Little  lirook  [North  Main  htreet] 
ut  the  uorlhoast  corner  of  the  town  to  butt  easterly  ou  the  brow  of  the  hill, 
[near  Andrew  Bryan's  house,]  and  ao  to  run  wcateriy  over  the  broolc  and  to  butt 
northeriy  on  a  highway,  [Grove  street,]  provided  he  build  a  house  and  live  four 
years  in  the  town."  On  this  lot  Scott  built  a  house,  and  in  N'or.  1702,  it  was 
rerorded  as  btittinpr  tte'^t  on  a  highway.  He  8okl  the  place,  Aug.  6,  17(t3,  to 
Benjamin  Warner,  and  in  March,  1707-8,  owned  a  house  and  lot  of  eight  acres 
and  a  half  on  the  north  side  of  Grove  street,  near  C.  C.  Adams*  residence. 

George  Scott  was  townsman  for  four  years  in  1698  and  afterwards,  surveyor,  in 
1701, 1704  and  1717,  and  school  committee  in  1710  and  1711.  He  rigned  his 
name  in  1702-3  by  proxy.  Obadiah  Scott,  his  eldest  son,  had  a  bachelor  lot,  being 
accepted  Dec.  13,  1713.  He  d.  in  173.^,  George  Scott,  the  pecond  ^^on,  was  al»^o  a 
bachelor,  admitted  in  1715.  He  d.  without  a  family,  in  1725,  and  his  estate  was 
distributed  to  his  broUiers  and  sisters.  The  third  son,  William  Scott,  bad  a  hatf 
bachelor  lot,  granted  in  1722,  he  and  Jolm  Warner,  son  of  Ephraim,  ^viding 
between  them  the  ** fourth  propriety  lot." 

7.  David  ;  was  accepted  as  a  bachelor  proprietor  at  thesame  time  ns  bis  brother 
George.  Ho  had  several  grunts  of  land,  beginning  a.s  early  an  Man  h  2S,  Ul'.M, 
which  were,  of  coui-se,  a  pai-t  of  his  divisions  on  his  £H)  right,  lie  was  surveyor 
sdiool  eomndltee,  and  grand  juror,  atdiifereni  times;  and  in  1710,  townsman. 
He  lived  on  the  homestead  of  his  fkther,  and  in  1710,  enlarged  his  lot  by  purchase 
of  John  Csrrington's  heirs.  After  his  death,  his  heirs,  "March  8,  1734,** 
fold  the  projwrty  for  £100,  to  James  Blakeslee,  describeil  as  tliree  acres  wiJh  a 
house,  near  the  meeting  bouse,  north  and  south  on  highway,  east  ou  Dca.  Clark, 


Digitized  by  Google 


HlfiTOttY  OF  WAT£RBUBY< 


183 


wedt  ou  Edmund  Scutt.    lie  was  a  "  husbaudiuau."    lie  ui.  June  lu,  101^8,  tSaruh, 
daughter  of  Obftdiah  lUchardfl,  and  d.  in  1727|  hia  will  being  proved  Dec.  5,  of 
that  year. 

S.  Robert ;  was  admitted  as  a  £10  proprietor  May  15,  1699.  Land  was  granted 
him  hy  tiu'  proprietors  in  .Ian.  H5'.t2-3  and  aftorw  ;inl>i.  Ho  owned  the  houw  lot 
which  had  l)i'h>ii':(Mi  to  Thomas  Judd,  Jr.,  whicii  lio  bought  in  1701.  This  phue 
he  conveyed  Oct.  17o8,  iu  couiiideratiou  of  a  mare,  a  colt  and  a  cow  and  £o,  12fi.,  to 
hb  brother  Edmund.  After  he  had  secured  hia  bachelor  right,  he  remored  from 
the  town,  and  waa  in  Hartford  in  1708,  1716  and  1726,  a  bachelor,  afiparently. 
His  £  to  right  be  boM  to  hia  brother  Jonathan. 

9.  Joseph  ;  helivfd  in  Kiirminj^ton.  I  know  notliiiicr  of  him,  except  what  may  he 
gatlicred  from  the  following  extract  from  the  Farmiugton  record.  It  bearn  date 
Dec.  19,  iGirj,  and  lllitatratea  Puritan  manners  and  goTenanent  I  suppose  he 
was  a  literal  bachdor. 

"The  towne  by  TOte  gaue  to  Joseph  Scott  a  Libcrtie  to  dwell  a  Lone  prouided 
bo  do  faitlifiilly  im])roui'  his  time  and  liaui*  him  self  p<>asali!rly  and  honestly 
towards  Ills  n(  itht»oiirs  anil  thrir  ('rcatinvs  and  con-itaiitly  attfud  tlu'  |nililii|ue 
worship  of  gud,  and  that  he  do  give  an  account  how  he  spends  his  time  unto  the 
townesmen  when  11  shall  be  demanded.^  [Town  Book,  Tol.  I,  p.  49.] 

EDMUND  SCOTT,  Jr. 

He  was  a  eon  of  the  preceding,  and  was  accepted  by  tlic 
committee,  in  the  place  of  Williuni  Iligason.  He  probably 
came  to  Mattatuck  with  Ids  father  and  was  made  a  proprietor 
when  he  became  of  age.  He  hjul  a  prnj^ortion  of  fence  in  the 
second  diyision,  which  would  indicate  that  he  had  become  a 
proprietor  in  1678-9,  and  liad  a  meadow  allotment  at  that 
tune.  His  father  gave  him,  in  Feb.  1682-3,  the  honse  which 
he  had  bnilt,  or  assisted  to  build,  on  the  lot  which  the  com- 
mittee had  bestowed  on  him,  (the  son.)  It  stood  on  the  south 
side  of  West  Main  street,  near  where  John  0.  Booth  lives.  The 
lot  contained  two  acres  and  was  bounded,  in  June,  1691,  north 
and  south  on  highway,  east  on  Mr.  Peck's  land,  and  west  on 
Thomas  Judd's  land.  He  (Edmund,  Jr.)  conveyed  it  and  the 
house,  with  the  land  which  he  had  added  to  it,'  eight  acres  in 
the  whole,  in  1733,  to  his  son  Jonathan,  the  tract  butting  east 
on  the  heirs  of  David  Scott,  west  on  John  Welton's  house  lot 

Edmund  Scott,  Jr.,  was  townsman  in  1701  and  1703,  sur- 
veyor  in  1710  and  1716,  and  grave  digger  in  1708, 1717,  1718, 
and  1730.  He  had  a  £70  right  in  the  undivided  lands.  lie 
d.  at  an  advanced  age,  July  20,  1746,  having  outlived  all  the 
other  settlers  who  became  proprietors  before  1780. — Estate 
£443.    His  wife  d.  Jan.  17,  1748-1). 


Digitized  by  Google 


184 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


Children : 

1.  A  BOD ;  b.  Oct,  1690,  And  d.  Feb.  Sd,  1690-1. 

2,  Sarah;  b.  Jan.  29,  lc,01-t>,  m.  Samuel  Wunjor,  son  of  Tliomas. 

S.  Samuel;  b.  Si'pt.  Itv.ii;  licciunt'  a  liiuh.  prop,  in  1715;  re.xided  at  JinMV 
Meadow  and  d.  April  ao,  1706. — EtiUtti  £2U4.  widow  (Mary,  daughter  of  John 
Richards)  d.  Sept.  5,  1776. 

4.  Elinbeth ;  b.  March  1, 1696-7 ;  m.  Samuel  Warner,  son  of  Daidnl. 

5.  Ilannah;  b.  June,  1700,  m.  in  1744,  Khenezcr  EIwcll. 

6.  Edmund;  h.  May  10,  1708,  m.  Martha,  d.  of  Jolin  Andrusj*,  Aug.  12,  1780, 
and  d.  Marcii  2:5.  17:i3.— Estate  £2'29.    Ho  lived  at  .ludd's  M»»adow. 

7.  John;  b.  iSopt.  21,  Uu?  ;  ni.  Eunice,  d.  of  Thouiait  Griffin  of  Simsbury,  and 
d.  March  14,  1766.  (Hia  widow  waa  liviog  in  1766.)  He  lived  in  the  aouthwest 
quarter,  at  Jttdd*s  Meadow,  near  Meebadoek.** 

8.  Jonathan ;  b.  Aug.  4, 1711,  and  d.  1741,  giringbis  propertj  to  his  wife. 

SAMUEL  SCOTT. 

He  was  admitted  a  proprietor,  by  act  of  the  town,  Dec.  30, 
1684,  receiying  half  an  allotment  of  £100.  He  received,  at 
the  same  time,  a  house  lot  on  the  east  side  of  Bank  street,  all 

on  condition  that  ho  should  build  a  house  according  to  the 

articles,  and  live  in  the  town  four  years  after  building.  These 
tiling  ho  did.    He  was  not  in  the  town  soon  enough  to  have 

an  early  division  of  fuiice,  or  an  nld  town  plot  eiglit  acre  lot  ; 
but  he  was  among  tlR»^c  wlio  jiarticipatcd  in  the  land-divi.sion 
of  IGSS,  after  which  time,  his  name  di:>api)ear.s  from  tlio  lists 
of  }>roprietoi'.s.  lie  (lid  not  remain  l<'Hg  in  the  town  after  his 
propriety  rif^lit  had  been  secured,  lie  prohal)ly  left  in  IdSI), 
or  in  16S0-i)0.  He  was  not  a  suhseriber  to  Mr.  Peek's  .I'OU 
settlement.  Ai»ril  KliH,  he  was  "of  Farmington,"  and  at 
that  date,  sold  and  conveved  to  his  br(»lher  Jonathan  all  his 
lands,  divided  and  undivided,  in  "Watirburv,  including  his 
house  and  house  lot  of  two  acres,  the  latter  hounded  north  on 
vSte})]ien  Upson's  land,  south  on  Kichard  Porter,  west  on  high- 
w;iy,  east  on  common.  He  died  in  Fannington  June  30, 1745, 
aged  85,  and  hia  wife  died  Kov.  28, 1748,  aged  85. 

JONATHAN  SCOTT. 

He  was  a  son  of  Edmnnd,  Sen.,  and  is  first  mentioned  on 
the  records  in  Jan.  1689-90,  when  be  receired  a  grant  of  land 
on  tihe  west  side  of  "  Union  Square,''  he  to  build  a  bouse  and 
"  inhabit "  four  years.  It  does  not  appear  that  be  built  upon 
this  land.  In  Dec.  1690,  he  bad  ten  acres  granted  bimat 
Wooster  Swamp.  His  name  is  not  among  the  subscribers  of 


Digitized  by  Google 


UI8T0&Y  OF  WATERBCRY. 


185 


the  u«^roi'iiicnt  witli  Mr.  l\'i  k,  lie  then  probably  being  barely 
twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  became  a  proprietor  by  pur- 
chase of  his  brother  Samuel,  April  28,  1*51U. 

Jonathan  Scott  had  but  little  to  do  with  the  public  business, 
lie  \vi\d  fence  viewer  in  17<>2,  17"l)  and  again  in  ITIT — noth- 
ing more.  His  name  is  rarely  I'ound  on  the  records,  and  it  is 
ditKcult  to  find  his whereabouts"  from  recorded  evidence,  con- 
veyanees,  &c.  At  first,  lie  may  have  lived  in  the  house  he 
bought  of  his  brother,  in  1091.  Afterwards,  before  Jan., 
1703-4,  he  resided  on  the  north  side,  near  the  west  end  of 
West  Main  street,  on  a  lot  of  one  acre  and  three  quarters,  re- 
corded April  27,  1717,  and  bounded  north  and  south  on  high- 
way, east  and  west  on  the  heirs  of  John  Kichason,  dec'd. 
He  signed  his  name  by  proxy,  as  did  several  of  his  brothei*s. 
The  story  of  his  captivity  by  the  Indians,  in  1710, 1  have  al- 
ready related.  He  ultimately,  or  soon  at*ter  1720,  removed  to 
"Wooster  Swamp,  in  the  Tiorth  part  of  AVatertown,  near  Scott's 
Mountain,  where  he  built  a  saw  mill,  (spoken  of  in  1725,  as 
belonging  to  him  and  his  son  Jonathan,)  and  lived  with  hia 
sons.  The  tradition  is  that  lie  was  buried  on  Scott's  Moun- 
tain, and  his  supposed  grave  is  still  pointed  out.  That  part  of 
the  tradition,  however,  which  relates  to  the  circnmstances  and 
time  of  his  death,  as  that  he  died  by  violence  on  his  way  to 
the  north,  at  the  bands  of  the  Indians,  after  having  bad  hia 
tongne  cat  ont,  ia  witbont  foundation  in  fact.  He  is  believed 
to  have  been  the  earliest  permanent  settler  of  present  Water- 
town.   He  d.  May  15,  1745,  and  bis  wife,  April  7, 1744. 

Children : 

1.  A  (lancliti^r ;  N.  and  d.  Aug.  ICl'S. 

2.  Joiittllian;  b.  Sept.  19,  1606.  After  his  return  (in  1715)  from  captivity,  he 
was  made  a  JE40  proprietor.  In  1722,  he  was  chosen  pound  keeper,  and  in  1728, 
surreyor,  soon  after  which  he  appears  to  hare  remored  to  Wooster  Bwamp^  at 
which  place  he  had  much  land  laid  oat  on  his  own  right  and  on  that  whidi  was 

his  unci*'  Uolicrl'H. 

n.  .John  ;  I).  June  6,  1699.  Ue  ib  said  norcr  to  lure  returned  from  his  captiv- 
ity, in  1709. 

4.  Martha ;  h.  Julj  9,  1701 ;  m.  Joseph  Harttrat  of  Woodbwy. 

6.  Oershom ;  h.  Sept.  6,  170S,  and  d.  June  84, 17S0.  His  father  gave  hhn  a 

hou.se  and  lands  at  Woosti»r  Swjuiij)  in  17:51. 

r>.  Elon/er;  l>.  Dec.  :n,  1705.  Uis  father  gaTo  him  *  hoose  and  three  acres  of 
land  at  Woootcr  Swamp  in  1738. 


Digitized  by  Google 


186 


llISrOliY  OF  WATKKBUlty 


7.  Daniel ;  b.  Sept.  20, 1707.  In  17Sff,  hit  &t]ier  gave  him  «  pert  of  hU  home- 
iitead,  three  ecrea.  He  wee  a  doctor. 

JOUN  SCOYILL. 

He  was  aa  early  settler  of  Farmington,  and  a  proprietor  of 
1672.  As  a  proprietor  of  Waterbury,  he  was  accepted  Jan.  15, 
1677-8,  as  a  substitute  for  Abraham  Bronson.  He  probably  did 
not  join  the  scttlenicnt  till  late  in  1678.  His  name  is  found  in 
tlic  second  and  fourth  divisions  of  fence,  and  is  on  the  list 
of  tliose  who  had  old  town  plot  lots.  He  was  one  of  those  who 
tried  the  patience  of  the  committee,  till  at  last  hie  rights  were  de- 
clared tbrfeited.  He  recoTered  his  allotments  by  snbmitting,  &e. 
He  lired  on  a  lot  of  two  acres  on  the  comer  of  We^t  Main 
and  Willow  streets,  where  Mrs.  Bennet  Bronson  now  resides. 
Bnt  he  found  living  in  Waterbnry  a  serions  business,  became 
discouraged,  and  went  away.  I  know  not  the  exact  time.  He 
was  not  a  subscriber  to  Mr.  Feck's  settlement  in  1689,  but  he 
may,  notwithstanding,  have  been  in  town  at  the  time.  In 
1696,  he  was  "  of  Haddam,"  and  July  ISdi  of  that  year,  he 
conveyed  by  deed  ''for  divers  valuable,  good  and  lawful 
causes  and  considerations''  to  his  "well  beloved  son  John 
Scovill  and  his  heirs  for  ever,"  all  his  estate  in  Waterbur}- — 
his  lands  and  rights  of  land,  divided  and  undivided,  including 
his  house  and  house  lot  of  two  acres,  (butted  south  and  east  on 
highway,  north  and  west  on  Dea.  Judd's  land,)  {i»gcther 
Avitli  nine  oilier  parcels  of  land.  He,  however,  regerved  an  in- 
terest in  the  estate  of  the  value  of  ten  pound?,  tlie  income  of 
whieh  was  to  be  paid  to  his  wife  during  her  natural  lile, 
^"should  it  please  God  to  take  me  away  before  lier,"'  tV:e. 

lliere  was  a  William  Scovill,  in  Iladdam,  who  settled 
there,  according  to  Field,  about  168G.  There  was  also  an  Kd- 
ward  8<  ot'ell,  or  Scovill,  who  died  there  in  1703.  1  know 
nothing  of  their  relationship  to  John  of  AVaterbury. 

John  Scovill  was  m.  March  20,  liJOO,  to  Sarah,  d.  of  lliomas 
Barnes  of  Farmington,  and  died  in  liaddam  in  1712. — Estate 
£176.  But  little  is  known  of  his  children.  Rev.  W.  b.  Sor- 
ter gives  the  names  of  four  : 

1.  Mehitablc;  ni.  Fob.  15,  1 ''.s5,  Caleb  Hopkini. 

2.  Eli'uzer ;  in.  Abajjail  I/uilt'Ioii. 

3.  Samuel,  (of  Watcrtowii,  Ma^. ;)  m.  Ruth  Langdon. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HIBTOBY  OF  WATEBBUBT.  187 

4.  John ;  m.  Feb.  6,  1698-4,  Hannah,  d.  of  Obadiah  Richards.  He  bad  his  first 
grant  of  land  in  Waterboxy,  Jan.  21,  1689-90,  on  eondiUon  that  he  sbonld  btdid  a 
hoose,  kc,  a  condition  from  which  lie  waa  afterwards,  after  his  father*s  removal,  re- 
leased. When  the  grant  was  made,  he  had  probably  just  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  yeiirn.  It  wun  customary  to  notice  the  young  men  at  that  age,  in  a  similar  way, 
lor  ihcir  eucourugemcut.  He  lived  where  hia  father  did.  He  waA  a  man  of  con- 
siderable influence,  and  was  engaged  to  some  extent  b  the  public  bnaineas.  He  waa 
school  comndttee ;  collector  of  the  town  and  nUtUster^s  rates;  grand  Juror;  towns- 
man in  1698,  IGOO,  17<i2,  1703;  constable  in  17(*7  and  17ir>;  deputy  to  the 
Colonial  A.«."<('iiil»ly  in  May,  171  t,  niid  "keep«'r  of  the  pound  key."  in  17'_'r>,  nnd 
afterwards.  He  had  rcputution  us  a  military  man,  ttnd  r(»se  to  the  rank  of  ^<■I•- 
geant,  a^  early  1718.  He  d.  Feb.  :iO,  172<>-7,  aged,  probably,  ttl>out  o6.  Ilia 
wife  d.  "March  5, 1720.**— Estate  £1061,  15b.  His  house  and  boose  lot  were 
appndsed  at  £  120.  His  son  John,  (bom  Jan.  12,  1694-^,)  was  accepted  as  a 

bachelor,**  in  If  IS.  The  last  wa.s  eonstal.le  in  17'2y;  pound  keeper  for  many 
Tears;  townsman  often;  a  deputy,  May,  17  15,  and  a  lievitenant.  He  too  lived  on 
the  fatuilj  homestead,  (aa  did  Am  son  Obadiah,)  and  died  April  28,  1769. 

Rbt.  JOHN  SOUTHMATD. 

lie  was  tlie  irreat  i^iainlson  (•!'  Sir  William  Suiithiiiavd  of 
the  county  ot"  Kent,  England,  to  Avlioni  arms  were  frranted  iii 
June,  1004.  A  Bon  of  the  latter,  named  William,  eame  to  this 
country.  Ills  name  is  in  the"  (quarterly  tilcb"  of  Salem, 
Mass.,  wlicre  this  entry  is  found  : 

iToliu  Southmate  HouJie  of  Will  Southiuate  l>y  milliv'-en  \\i!e  lionie  '2r.''»  of  the 
g"*  mo.  ll')l.'> — willia"'  t^outhmayd  the  elder  t<onne  of  william  t^outhmayd  by  mil- 
Ihuen  his  wife  born  the  17"'.  of  the  7'^.  mo.  1643. 

william  southmayd. 

[Manuscript  letter  from  Sev.  Daniel  S.  Southmayd,  Concord,  Mass.,  Kov.  1829.] 

NothiDg  more  is  known  of  William  Southmayd,  of  Essex 
connty,  Mass.,  or  of  his  son  John  named  above.  His  ''elder 
Sonne  "  Williain,  father  of  the  Bey.  John,  removed  to  Middle- 
town  about  1660.  In  October,  1678,  he  married  Esther, 
daughter  of  Giles  Hamlin,*  and  had  the  following  children 
1.  William ;  bora  July  24, 1674,  and  died  an  infant.  2.  John 
b.  August  2S,  1676.  8.  William ;  b.  March  6,  1679,  and  died 
an  infant  4.  Giles;  b.  Jan.  17,  1680-1 ;  d.  1728,  clnldless. 
6.  Esther;  b.  Oct.  28,  1GS2  and  d.  Dec.  20,  1GS2.  Esther,  the 
wife,  d.  Xov.  11,  1G82  and  Wm.  Soutlmuiyd  ni.  ^largaret, 

•Mr.  Ilatnlln  wa»  one  of  tJic  farly  Pettlcra  of  Ml(l<lkl<i»  n.  He  inarrle*!  E«ther  Crowe,  a 
daviMer  of  John  Crowe  of  llartford,  and  »  granddaughter  of  Elder  William  Goodirtn.  Tbeir 
«lilMr«n  w«r«,  MlMr,  JaIib,  Mm7,  OIIm,  MablUbte,  WUliaak  Mr.  HaoiIlD  was  «m  •!  tb« 
prominent  men  of  times.  He  wn«  coniin!<»iioner,  a  memlMr  Of  the  CoUCUt  Sad  SSTeral  tllBeS 
a  depotj  to  the  Ocaeral  Court.   lie  died  Sep.  1, 


Digitized  by  Google 


18S  UlbiOliY  OF  WArKKBUKY. 

daoghter  of  GoL  John  AUjrn  of  Hartford,  long  secretarj  of 
the  Colony.  Their  children  were :  1.  Allyn ;  b.  Feb.  7, 1685; 
lived  to  an  old  age  and  d.  at  St  Johns,  New  Foundlahd.  S. 
Daniel;  b.  Sep.  1687;  d.  Nov.  23,  1703.  3.  Margaret;  b. 
Ang.  11, 1691.  4.  Anna;  b.  Jan.  10,  169a  5.  Joseph ;  b. 
March  ]  5, 1695,  and  d.  1772.  6.  William ;  b.  Jan.  9, 16U8»  and 
d.  1747.  7.  Meliscent;  b.  Jan.  3, 1700 ;  d.  Dec.  12, 1717.  From 
Joseph  and  William  have  descended  the  Southmayds  of  Mid- 
dletown  and  Vermont.  William  Southmayd,  the  father,  d. 
Dec.  4,  1702.  He  called  him.sclf  a  mariner.  J  lis  inventory 
bears  date  Feb.  1702-3,  and  amounted  to  £1,085,  17b.  Cd. 
His  wit'e  d.  a  widow,  March  IG,  1732-3. 

Rev.  John  ISoutliinayd's  home  l<>t  (previoujily  calle<l  "a 
great  lot")  at  first  contained  but  two  acres  ;  but  for  his  l)etter 
accommodation,  the  town  obtained  for  him,  by  exchange,  in 
1704-,  the  lot  next  adjoliiiiiii;  on  tlic  east,  then  owned  by 
Thonnis  Judd,  Jr.  The  hou>c  built  fur  him  was  a  frame  hoime, 
and  was  f  »rlified  in  the  Indian  M-ars. 

"Mr.  Southnuiyd,  in  17t>n,  married  Susanna  AVard,  a  daughter 
of  AV^illiam  and  Plicbu  Ward.   Their  cliildrtiu  were : 

1.  Esther;  b.  St  i>  1  '  170] ;  m.  Capt.  Daniel  Starr,  of  Hiddletown.  She  bad 
several  children,  uiul  ilic  J  a  widow  iit  an  advanceil  n^e. 

2.  Susanna;  b.  Jan.  5,  1703—1;  m.  Sep.  25,  1734,  TUouiad  Uronsou,  sou  of 
ThomM,  and  d.  Aug  13,  1741. 

9,  Anne ;  b.  Get.  27,  1706 ;  m.  Joaepb  Bronaon,  aon  of  Jobn,  Jane  1,  17S2, 
and  (1.  Aup.  12,  1749. 

4.  John;  b.  June  '21,  171<>;  ni,  Milisccnt,  d.  of  Sanuicl  Giiylard  of  Middletown, 
April  25,  173y.  He  d.  Vvh.  28,  17 12-3,  l.  aviii>:  two  childn-n,  William  and 
Samuel,  both  of  whom  left  families  The  widow  in.  Tiuioth}-  Judd,  sou  of  Williuui 
Jadd. 

6.  Daniel ;  b.  April  19, 1717 ;  m.  Hannah,  d.  of  Samuel  Brown,  Kafeb  S4, 1749 ; 
bad  three  children,  Anne,  Jobn  and  Daniel,  (all  of  whom  lived  to  be  marnied,) 
and  d.  Jan.  12,  1754. 

JOHN  STANLBT. 

The  _i!:rand father  of  the  Waterbury  8tanli'y>,  John  j^tanley, 
is  said  to  liave  died  on  his  passage  over  from  England,  leaving 
a  son  John  and  a  daughter  Kuth,  both  of  whom  were  mar- 
ried (the  same  day)  Dee.  5,  1G45,  the  latter  to  Isaac  More. 
John,  the  son,  was  a  nephew  of  Timothy  Stanley  of  Cam- 
bridge and  Hartiord. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0SY  OF  WATESBU&Y. 


189 


John  Stanley,  the  father  of  onr  proprietors,  was  born  in 
1025;  came  to  \e\v  Knujhind  in  Iti.U  ;  bettled  in  Farniington 
early  ;  joiiR-d  tlio  cliurcli  there,  July  12,  1G53  ;  was  a  dejaity 
to  the  Creneral  Conrt  from  F.  four  se?tjioiis,  tii*st  in  ;  saw 

service  in  Kiu*^  Philip's  war  avS  lieutenant  aud  captain, and  was 
one  of  tlie  leading  men  of  Farniington. 

John  Stanley  of  F.  m.  Dec.  5,  1G45,  Sarah,  <1.  of  Thomas 
Scott,  and  June  20,  lOOl,  Sarah,  d.  of  John  Fletcher  of  :Mil- 
ford.  He  d.  Dec.  19,  170(5,  and  his  second  wife  and  widow. 
May  lo,  1713.  His  children  were :  1.  John;  b.  in  Hartford, 
Xov.  r?,  1(547.  2.  Tliomas ;  b.  in  Farmington,  Nov.  1,  1(U!>  ; 
ni.,  in  IGIK),  Anne,  d.  of  Rev.  Jeremiah  Peck,  and  d.  May 
23,  171S.  3.  Sarah  ;  b.  Feb.  1651-2,  and  m.  Joseph  Gay- 
lord.  4.  Timothy ;  b.  March  17,  1053-4.  5.  Elizabetli  ; 
b.  April  1,  1057,  and  d.  young.  0.  Abigail;  b.  July  25, 
1000  ;  m.  Xov.  1087,  John  Hooker.  7.  Elizabeth  ;  b.  Xov.  28, 
1072;  m.  John  Wadsworth,  and  d.  Oct.  5,1713.  8.  Isaac; 
b.  Sept.  22,  1060,  and  appears  to  have  been  an  imbecile.  By 
the  will  of  his  father,  he  could  not  dispose  of  the  estate  given 
him  without  the  consent  of  his  brothers,  John  Stanley  and 
John  Hooker. 

JOHN  STANLEY. 

John  Stanley,  ^^on  of  C  ajit.  John  of  F.,  was  one  of  the  eigh- 
ty-lbur  ]>ro|)rietors  of  that  town  in  1072.  He  signed  the  peti- 
tion to  the  (ieneral  Court  concerning  Mattatuck,  in  1(57.'5,  and 
Ku})scril»ed  the  articles  of  settlement  in  KI74,  taking  a  £100 
right.  He  was  one  of  tlie  assignees  to  whom  the  Indian 
deed  of  lands  in  ^fattatuck  was  made  over,  and  a  grantee,  by 
name,  in  the  snbse<|nent  deeds.  He  came  very  early  to  our 
town,  lint  may  not  liave  been  with  the  first  company  of  set- 
tlers ;  for  he  had  no  allotment  of  fence  in  the  first  tlivision 
niadr  in  the  s|iring  of  1077-8.  In  no  other  division  is  his 
name  omitted.  After  having  once  })ut  his  hand  to  the  j)low, 
there  is  no  a]»pearance  of  his  looking  back  ;  at  any  rate,  till 
some  broad  furrows  had  been  traced.  He  was,  more  than 
any  other  n»an,  with  the  exception  of  Tli<imas  Judd,  Sen.,  the 
ruling  spirit  and  lather  of  the  settlement,   lie  was  often  se- 


Digitized  by  Google 


190 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


Iccted  by  the  Assembly's  committee  to  act  in  their  absence. 
He  laid  out  the  lots  of  the  proprietors,  staked  out  and  appor- 
tioned the  common  fence,  "  located  "  highwajs,  settled  boun- 
daries of  adjoining  towns,  &c.  Thomas  Judd  was  nsnallj  his 
associate.  He  was  the  first  recorder  of  the  town  and  propri- 
etors, appointed  first  by  the  committee  and  afterwards  by  the 
town.  His  first  recorded  appointment  by  the  latter  was  Dec. 
26, 1689,  and  he  was  annually  reappointed  till  his  removal  to 
Farmington.  So  far  as  appears,  he  was  the  only  person 
among  the  earliest  proprietors  of  Hattatack,  who  was  fully 
qualified  for  the  office.  He  wrote  a  legible  and  business-like 
hand. 

John  Stanley  was  a  sergeant  in  the  Waterbury  train-band, 
in  April,  1082,  and  afterwards,  when  no  higher  officer  was 
permitted.  In  Oct.  1689,  when  a  lieutenant  was  allowed,  he 
was  the  first  selected  for  that  office.  His  appointment  was 
confirmed  by  tlie  Asscinbly,  Oct.  IGSO.  It  was  a  distinguish- 
ed lioiior,  and  no  doubt  he  bore  it  worthily.  After  Watcrbury 
began  to  send  a  representative  to  tlie  (leneral  Court,  Lieut. 
Stanley  wji5  the  second  whose  name  is  recorded.  He  was  a 
deputy  in  May,  1G90,  and  in  1603.    What  persuaded 

liini  tinally  to  quit  the  settlement,  in  a  time  of  great  atttiction, 
I  am  not  able  to  say.  It  is  to  ])c  hoped  he  had  better  reasons 
than  any  tliat  can  be  tli<>u;;ht  of  at  this  distant  day.  His  loss 
must  have  l)een  seriously  fi'lt.  He  returned  to  FarminMon 
early  in  1GJ)5,  or  before  A|>ril  0th  of  that  year,  Mhere  lie  was 
a  deacon  in  1711  and  afterward^.  He,  however,  retained 
most  of  his  lands  in  AVaterbury  and  his  propriety  right,  and 
was  a  fre^jucnt  visitor  to  the  town  to  lof>k  after  liis  estate. 
His  tamiliarity  with  the  records  of  the  town  was  the  cause  of 
his  aj)pointment,  in  1705,  to  copy,  for  the  purpose  of  preserva- 
tion, such  portions  as  were  most  important.  He  gave  some 
attention  to  the  duties  of  this  appointment  from  time  to  time. 

John  Stanley  lived  near  the  old  meeting-Lonsc  and  near 
the  place  where  the  Second  Congregational  Church  now 
stands.  His  lot  contained  three  and  a  half  acres,  and  was 
bounded,  Sept.  29,  1G87,  westwardly  on  highway,  northwardly 
on  Isaac  Bronson's  land,  southwardly  on  Joseph  Gaylord's 
land,  and  east  on  the  common. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HISTOBY  OF  WAT£BBU£T.  lUl 

John  Stanley  m.  in  lOOD,  Kstlier,  d.  of  Tlionias  Newell  of 
Farmiiigton,  and  d.  May  16,  17ii9.    His  widow  d.  in  1740. 
Children  : 

1.  Ei^thcr  ;  b.  in  Farniinpton,  Dec.  'J,  ir>7'2,  and  d.  ITtT*;. 

2.  John ;  b.  in  F.  April  9,  1675 ;  m.  Dec.  U,  1714,  Mary  Wright,  Mid  d.  Sept. 
8,  1748,  le«Ting  three  childraii,  John,  Thomas  and  Marj.  He  Uved  in  Kendng* 
ton.    Though  accepted  as  a  bachelor  iiroprietor  of  Waterburjr,  hi  1716,  there  is 

no  trace  of  him  as  an  inhabitant  after  his  futherV  removal  in  1695. 

:i.  Sainiu'l ;  b.  1077;  in.  .Itily  15,  1702,  Elizabeth,  d.  of  Abraham  Bron>oii  of 
Lyme,  and  had  six  children  born  in  Waterbury,  the  two  lust  twins — Sainiie!.  Abra- 
ham, John,  Esther,  Ebcnezer  and  Anna,  (b.  "March  8,  1713;")  two,  Elizabeth 
and  Asa,  b.  fai  1715  and  1717  fai  Fannington  and  recorded  hi  Waterbarjr ;  and  one 
or  two  others,  Rnth  and  Joaiaht  The  fkther  d.  hi  1747. 

Samuel  Stanley  waa  a  carpenter  and  millwright;  townsman  in  1704  and  1705; 
collector  of  town  taxes  in  l7o7  ;  school  committee  in  1711  ami  1712,  4c.  ITe 
lived  on  the  old  homestead  of  hi^  father,  in  whom  the  title  remained.  The  pro- 
perty was  sold,  July  9,  1714,  to  Ephraim  Warner,  for  £45,  the  deed  being  signed 
hj  both  ftther  and  son.  Soon  after  the  date  (Mf  this  deed,  Samuel  Stanley  re- 
moved. He  lived  in  Wallingford,  Fknnlngton  and  Durham.  He  was  admitted  a 
bachelor  proprietor  in  1715. 

4.  Nathaniel  ;  b,  1671);  ni.  Sarah,  d.  of  Samuel  Smith  of  Fnriiiiiipton.  where  he 
lived  and  had  nine  children,  and  then  removed  (after  173U)  to  Goshen,  und  d. 
1770. 

6.  Thomas ;  baptised  May  26, 1584,  at  nurmfaigton ;  m.  1680,  Anne,  danghter 
of  Rev.  Jeremhih  Peck.  Be  had  a  son  Thomas  and  a  danghter  Anne  KTfaig  in 

1728. 

6.  Sarah  ;  bap.  July  4,  168fi,  at  F. 

7.  Timothy  ;  b.  June  6,  1689  ;•  bap.  in  F.  May  11,  1790;  m.  Dee.  16, 1718,  Mar. 
tha,  d.  of  Samuel  Smith  of  F. ;  had  seven  ehildren  k  In  F.,  four  of  whom  died  In 
infiuey.  Ue  removed  to  Goshen  after  1785  and  before  1748,  and  d.  1761.  He  was 
a  captain  and  the  owner  and  emandpator  of  a  slave. 

TIMOTHY  STANLEY. 

He  was  in  Mattatiick  sufficiently  carlj  to  have  an  old  town 
plot  lot,  and  an  allotment  in  all  the  divisions  of  fence.  In 
1682-3,  liowever,  he  was  condemned  for  delinquency  ;  but  he 
soon  made  amends,  and  regained  what  he  Imd  loBt.  lie  was 
one  of  the  two  first  townsmen  (appointed,  probably,  in  1680) 
whose  names  are  recorded.  He  held  the  same  office  in  1702 
and  afterwards.  He  was  school  committee  often  ;  moderator 
of  proprietors'  meeting  in  1706 ;  grand  juror  in  1713.  In  Oct. 
1604,  he  was  sent  as  deputy  to  the  General  Court,  being  the 

•  TMs  birth  Is  rcGordad  by  the  fiath«r  ia  Waterlmnr,  ood  It  la  th«  only  one  of  the  famitj  tliat 

U  ao  recordeU. 


Digitized  by  Google 


102 


HISTOKY  OF  WATERBUBY 


third  person  that  received  that  honor.  He  held  the  same 
office  May,  1695,  1696  and  1699,  May  and  Oct.  ITOS,  1 7<  "O  and 
1711,  and  Oct.  1718.  For  a  short  i)erio(l,  in  1704-5,  after 
Lieut.  Jiidd's  death,  lie  appears  to  liave  hv\d  the  oftice  ot'jnstice 
of  tljc  peace.  In  military  rank  he  seems,  in  the  tiri^t  instance, 
to  liave  ranked  t'ourtli.  He  was  sergeant  in  1695,  ensign  in 
lOOG,  and  lientenant  and  cliief  in  connnand  in  1703,  which  last 
c»ffice  he  lield  tlirough  a  critical  period  till  1715. 

TinKjthv  Stanley  called  liiniself  "cloatli  wear"  in  17H)-17. 
His  standing  among  his  fellow  townsmen  may  he  gathered 
from  the  responsilde  })ositions  he  occii]>ied.  His  house  stoml 
on  the  sj)ot  where  Capt.  Lemuel  narri>oij  now  lives.  It  was 
one  of  the  fortitied  houses  in  the  Indian  war.  His  lot  of  two 
acres  was  hounded,  in  Nov.  1G87,  north  and  south  on  high- 
way, west  on  John  Carrington's  land,  east  on  Daniel  Porter's 
land.  In  June,  1713,  Stanley  deeded  to  his  wife's  ne]diew, 
Thomas  Clark,  his  adopted  son,  one  half  of  his  house  and 
homestead  and  other  lands,  divided  and  undivided,  Clark 
agreeing  "to  take  care  of  s**  Stanley  and  his  wife  and  carion 
all  the  work  of  tlie  fiimily  or  families  wn  [when]  there  shall 
be  need  with  help  of  s-*  Standley  and  the  rest  of  y*  family 
y«  whole  income  of  y*  estate  to  be  lo  y*  use  of  both  as  they 
sliall  need,"  &c. 

Timothy  Stanley  m.  in  1(570,  ^lary,  d.  of  John  Strong 
of  Windsor,  and  d.  childless,  Nov.  12,  1728.  His  wife 
Mary  d.  Sep.  .30,  1722.  Thomas  Clark  was  his  executor  and 
principal  heir.  The  estate  in  Waterhury  amounted  to  £703, 
and  in  Farmington  to  £108.  Tlie  will  mentions  Thomas  Clark 
and  Sarah  Ids  wife,  and  their  children ;  Timothy,  Samuel, 
Nathaniel  and  John  Stanley,  sons  of  John,  the  hrother  of  the 
testator;  Joseph,  John  and  Benjamin  Oaylord;  Ruth  Hickox 
and  Johannah  Royce,  children  of  Sarah  Gaylord,  the  sister  of 
the  deceased. 

Timothy  Stanley  and  his  wife  were  bnried  near  the  spot 
where  the  stone  of  Dea,  Clark  is  now  standing,  in  the  old 

burying  yard. 


Digitized  by  Google 


7//  ^rr/il^y/i 


Digitized  by  Google 


HIATO&Y  OF  WATEIIBU&Y. 


193 


STEPHEN  UPSON. 

The  father,  Tlioinas  Upson,  was  early  in  Hartford.  lie  was 
one  of  tlio^^e,  not  proprietors,  cnunierated  in  1G3S,  who  had 
rfic  privilege  of  getting  wood  and  keeping  cows  on  the 
common.  In  that  year,  lie  (with  others)  was  "censured  and 
fined  for  vnseasonahle  and  immoderate  drinkini;  at  the 
])innace,''  20s.  He  was  an  original  proprietor  and  settler  of 
Farmington,  and  m.  in  16^(3,  Elizabeth  Fuller.  He  d.  July  19, 
1G55,  and  a  daiiichter  named  Elizabetli  d.  tlie  next  day.  The 
widow  m,  Edmund  Scott.  The  estate,  which  was  small,  was 
distributed  in  1071,  to  the  remaining  children,  Thomas, 
Stopheu,  Mary,  Haaoah,  aad  to  Edmaud  Scott  in  right  of  hU 
wife. 

Stephen  Upson  was  not  one  of  the  first  coi^pany  of  pro- 
prietors and  settlers  of  "Waterbury.  Ho  was  accepted,  (or 
rather  signed  the  articles  by  a  mark,)  Dec.  29,  1679,  not  as 
the  substitute  of  another,  but  as  the  record  says,  *'on  the 
account  of  a  new  lot."  He  had  a  £50  propriety  and  an  allot- 
ment in  the  second  and  fourth  divisions  of  fence  ;  but  he  had 
not  one  of  the  old  town  plot  lots,  these  being  divided  among 
the  original  thirty  sabscribers,  or  their  substitutes  and  suc- 
cessors. In  1680-81,  he  was  "straitened"  for  land,  and  the 
committee  on  petition  granted  relief.  He  does  not  appear  to 
have  faltered  inexcusably  in  his  duty  as  a  subscriber  of  the 
articles.  His  name  does  not  freq[uently  appear  on  the  earlier 
records,  (before  1700,)  except  as  the  grantee  of  lands.  He 
signed  the  £60  agreement  with  Mr.  Peck  and  was  one  of  a 
committee  to  settle  bounds  with  Woodbury  in  April,  1703. 
He  was  surveyor,  school  committee,  grand  juror,  of^n  towns- 
man, and  three  tiroes  deputy  to  the  Genenil  Court — ^in  Hay, 
1710,  Oct.  1712,  and  Oct  1729.  He  became  a  sergeant  in 
1715,  and  in  1729,  he  had  a  seat  with  the  veterans  in  the  new 
meeting-house. 

Stephen  Upson,  "carpenter,"  liyed  on  the  east  side  of 

Bank  street,  near  where  the  house  of  £.  £.  Priehard  now 

stands.    His  lot  contained  four  acres  and  was  boundod,  Feb. 

10,  10S7-8,  soutlierly  on  Samuel  Scott's  land,  northerly  on 

parsonage  lot,  west  and  east  on  highways.    In  Dec.  ICUT,  he 

18 


Digitized  by  Google 


19^ 


BISTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBY. 


exchanp^ed  with  the  town  two  acres  at  tlie  east  end  of  liis  lot 
for  the  two  acres  lyinij  next  him  on  the  north  called  the 
parsonage  lot. 

Stephen  Upson  ni.  Deceinher  29,  1682,  Mary  d.  of  Jolin 
Lee,  Sen.,  of  Farinington,  and  d.  in  1735,  aged  80,  or  over. 
His  wife  d.  Feh.  15,  1715-16.  His  will  was  dated  Nov.  8, 
1713,  and  pn.ved  .Inly  3,  1735.  Estate,  £52(»,  17s.  lie  had, 
durinir  his  lifetime,  giveu  much  of  his  property  to  his 
chiklren. 

Children : 

1.  Mary;  b.  Nov.  5,  1688  ;  m.  Richard  Wclton,  8on  of  Jolm. 

2.  Stephen;  h.  Sep.  130,  iriS»'i;  was  aoi-ojitod  as  a  bachelor  proprietor,  Jan. 
170&-6;  in.  Sarah,  d.  of  Iimac  BroQSOU  and  d.  Sep.  10,  1777.  llu  wife  d.  1748. 
ffiB  home  waf,  it  flrtt,  on  tbe  touthwest  comer  of  Oiaad  and  Bank  streets.  The 
Isad  on  whioh  be  had  already  bnllti  In  1718,  deecribed  as  three  acres,  just  by 
the  south  meadow  gate  and  within  the  common  fence,"  Ms  father  gave  him  at 
that  date.  June  28,  178^,  he  8ohi  and  ennveyed  (liis  place,  deseribed  now  as  five 
acres,  with  a  hou.so  and  barn,  to  James  I'rii  liard,  and  the  same  day  received  a  deed 
from  hid  father  of  the  family  homestead,  four  acres,  bounded  west  on  highway, 
north  on  John  Pnnderton*s  land,  east  on  Thomas  Upson's  and  Thomas  Porter's 
land,  south  on  Thomas  Porter. 

Stephen  T'pson,  Jr.,  repre!<ontod  the  town  in  the  Colonial  Assraibly,  in  Oct. 
174H,  at  which  time  he  bore  the  title  of  captain. 

8.  Elizabeth  ;  b.  Feb.  14,  lti89-UU,  and  m.  Thomas  Bronsun. 

4.  Thomas ;  b.  Kiafeh  1,  1692-S ;  wu  accepted  as  a  £40  proprietor  in  1710;  m. 
Rachel,  d.  of  Dea.  Thomas  Jndd,  and  d.  in  1761.  He  liTcd  on  Cole  street,  near 
Kust  Main,  on  the  place  owned  fust,  by  John  Riehards.  Hifi  father  bought  it  of 
lienjamin  Warner,  executor  uf  Tlioitias  Warner,  and  in  1718,  pave  it  to  the  (»on, 
with  the  house.  In  the  deed  making  this  grant,  the  father  "thinks  it  rea.-ion- 
able  to  com^ider''  his  t^uu-s  "above"  hU  daughtcrH,  in  the  diiitributiuu  of  hiii 
estate,  and  orders  the  gift  "not  to  be  recorded  as  part  or  portion  in  the  dlstri- 
bation  **  of  his  estate  among  his  children.  In  Feb.  17S2-8,  Thomas  Upson  sold 
out  to  Jonathan  Baldwin  for  £150  money,  the  property  being  described  ai  "three 
and  a  half  acres  of  land  with  a  house  and  barn,  "  &c.  He  then  removed  to 
Farmiogton,  afterwards  Southiugton,  and  now  the  eastern  part  of  Wolcott, 
(Sonthington  lloontain.) 

6.  Hannah;  h,  "abonght  March  16,  1606;"  m.  Thomas  lUchards  and  John 
Bronson,  and  wasi  living  a  widow,  in  1751. 

fi   Tabitha;  b.  "March  11,  ICHS,"  and  m.  John  Scovill.  2d. 

7.  John  ;  b.  Dee.  13,  ITo'J,  and  ni.  Elizabeth,  d,  of  Tlutiiias  Judd.  He  appears 
to  have  resided,  for  several  years,  after  1732-3,  in  Farmington,  though  the 
births  of  Ids  children,  down  to  1746,  are  recorded  in  Waterbnry. 

8.  ThankM ;  b.  March  14,  1706-7,  and  m.  James  Bkkeslee. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


195 


WARNER. 

Joliii  Wunier,  Sen.  lived  lirst  in  Hartford,  then  in  Fanuiiig- 
ton.  Of  the  hitter  town  he  was  an  original  proprietor  and  set- 
tler. He  was  one*of  the  Pe(piot  soldiers,  and  for  his  services 
liad  a  grant  of  land,  in  IHTl,  from  the  General  Court,  iifty 
acres,  wliich  Ser":.  Tlionias  Judd  and  Ser^f.  John  Stanley  were 
appointed  to  lay  out  to  his  lieirs  in  Oct.  1G>>0.  He  was  one  of 
the  petitioners  who  asked  liberty  to  make  a  small  plantation 
at  Mattatuck,"  (as  were  his  sons  John  and  Daniel,)  and  signed 
the  articles  of  1074-,  writing  his  name  John  Warner,  Sen.  He 
intended  to  join  tlie  new  settlement  hut  died  hefore  removal, 
in  1G70.  His  will,  dated  in  March  of  that  year,  names  as  his 
children,  John,  Daniel,  Thomas,  Sarah.  The  last  was  baptized 
March  15, 1650-7,  aad  m.  William  Higason. 

JOHN  WAHNEft,  (Jft.) 

Both  he  and  his  father  John  are  on  the  list  of  the  freemen 
of  F.  in  1669,  and  on  the  list  of  proprietors  of  1672.  He  sub. 
scribed  the  articles  in  1674,  and  made  an  earlj  movement  to 
secnre  his  right  His  name  is  in  all  the  fence^liTisions. 

John  Warner,  called  Sen,  on  the  Waterbmy  records,  had 
recorded,  Feb.  10, 1702-8,  one  acre  and  a  half  of  land  on 
which  his  dwelling-house  then  stood,  east  on  Jonathan  Scott's 
house  lot,  north,  south  and  west  on  highway.  There  is  some 
difficnlfy  in  ascertaining  where  this  lot  was  situated.  Though 
there  is  something  not  quite  intelligible  about  the  west  boun- 
daiy,  I  have  ventured  to  place  it  on  the  north  side  of  West 
Main  street,  near  to  Willow  street.  lie  owned  land  next  west 
of  Robert  Porter  in  1687-8.  He  sold  the  place,  March  4, 
1704-5,  to  John  Judd,  and  Jndd  conveyed  it,  Nov.  5,  1715, 
to  Joseph  Hickox  of  Durham,  and  Ilickox  deeded  it,  the  same 
dav,  to  Elizabeth  Kichason,  widow  and  administrator  of  John 
Kichason,  the  boundaries  being  the  same  as  when  owned  hy 
Warner. 

llistorv  has  but  little  to  say  of  John  Warner,  Sen.,  of  Water- 
bury,  lie  returned  to  rarmin<^ton  soon  after  1700.  He  call- 
ed himself  "of  Farmington''  in  a  deed,  in  A])ril,  1703,  and 
again  in  1705-6;  and  yet  in  his  will,  dated  Farmington, 


Digitized  by  Google 


m 


BIBIOKT  OF  WATEBBUAY. 


Dec.  27,  1706,  he  speaks  of  himself  as  "of  AVaterbury."  lie 
died  soon  after  the  last  date,  liis  inventory  being  taken  March, 
1700-7.  His  jHTsonal  estate  was  valued  at  £71,  and  his  real 
estate  was  given  by  will,  his  hou^e  and  homestead  in  Water- 
biiry  to  his  son  John.  John  Warner  and  SainiK-l  linmson 
(son-in-hi\v)  were  executors.  His  will  (he  >igned  by  a  mark, 
us  did  his  brother  Thomas)  names  five  cliildreu.  Thomas  ia 
not  mentioned. 

1.  John ;  b.  IDwdi  1, 16^0 ;  m.  Sept  28,  1698,  BAboeea,  d.  of  Thonus  Wolit. 

SOD.  He  (I.  March  8,  1751,  and  hh  wife  Aug  1,  1748.  He  WW  made  a  £40  pro- 
prietor, March  26,  1699,  hia  right  beiiip  entered  in  1722  and  afterwards  as 
"John  Warner,  Sen.,  buch.  lot."  lie  had  a  grant  of  land  of  twenty-five  acres  in 
1690,  he  to  build,  kc  As  early  as  April  20,  1703,  he  seems  to  have  been  living 
on  BttckabilL  At  thai  d«te  h«  sold  land  acyoining  him  to  Joseph  Gsytord,  Jr. 
He  ftppean  to  have  been  the  first  settler  on  BuckshilL  Oeio  he  lemsined  aere- 
ral  years,  but  at  length  removed  to  Stmtford.  lie  was  in  the  ktter  place  June, 
171'),  at  which  timo  ho  sold  to  Daniel  Shelton  of  said  Stratford  thirt y-llirce  acre^ 
of  land  and  a  house  on  Buck.shill.  About  1723,  ho  returned  to  Wulerbur}-  and 
settled  in  that  part  of  the  town  afterwards  called  Westbury.  Here  he  had  pre- 
▼ionsly  nneh  land  Udd  oat,  and  here  he  had  a  house  in  Deo.  1784,  near  8teel*s 
Brook,  and  the  road  to  Wooster  Bwamp.  At  this  time  and  after  his  return  from 
Stratford,  he  was  sometimes  called  Dr.  John  Wnmer,  as  though  he  had  been 
practicing  medicine  while  absent.  He  continued  in  this  occupation,  and  was  the 
first  phvrtician  in  Westbury.  When  W^estbury  became  a  separate  society  he  was 
made  the  first  deacon  of  the  chnreh.  He  held  no  important  town  ofiees; 

S.  Bphraim;  m.  Bsther,  d.  of  Obadlah  Richards,  Aug.  18,  1699,  and  d.  Aug.  1, 
1753,  in  the  elghty  fom ih  year  of  his  age.  This  is  the  age  given  him  by  the 
record  ;  but  it  would  make  him  born  about  the  «anii'  titin*  na  his  brother  John.  I 
hUi>piHc  they  were  not  twins,  and  that  Kphraini  was  the  youngest  ;  but  there  is  no 
conclusive  evidence  of  this.  He  hud  live  children  born  in  Waterbury,  the  lu>t  in 
Feb.  1708-8;  and  two  born,  I  suppoM,  in  Woodbury,*  Bbeneser  and  Bphrabn. 
All  outlived  thefar  father  except  If  argaret  and  the  first  Ephrdm.  The  estate  was 
first  settled  by  agreenicnt  among  the  heirs,  and  af\erward.s  by  order  of  probate,  in 
1762,  there  being  probuhly  some  mistmderstanding  about  the  first  .settlement.  It 
amounted,  according  to  inventory,  to  but  £14, 19s.,  much  having  been  given  away 
to  the  children  during  the  lifetime  of  the  deceased. 

Eprhafan  Warner  had  his  first  grant  of  land,  Jan.  91, 1888-80,  on  the  northeast 
comer  of  Willow  and  Grove  streets,  (bounded  .<:outh,  west  and  north  on  high- 
ways  and  pa>^t  on  the  three  acre  lot  of  Thomas  Judd,  Sen.,)  on  condition  that  he 
should  erect  a  house  and  "  coinhabit  four  yoar«,"  according  to  the  original  arti- 
cles. Here  he  seems  to  have  built  and  resided  till  about  Sept.  2G,  1701,  when  he 
sold  out  to  Stephen  Welton.  He  next  had  a  house  and  forty-two  and  a  half  acres 

*  It  it  a«t  certain  th«7  »«re  not  born  la  Waterbury  t>ecauie  not  recorded.  It  was  eomnea 
to  nake  a  rseord  ealy  at  eoasMerable  lotanralf,  and  then  record  teveral  together.  If  a  penoa 
dl«d«  and  partleolBrlj  If  he  remofed,  om  or  more  ehDSrsa  bora  last  wsro  aol  sure  lo  be  rt> 
eerdid* 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


of  land  on  Buekshill,  which  he  exchanged,  Feb.  21,  1703-t,  with  Bsnjamin  War- 
ner for  a  house  and  four  acres  of  land,  the  land  in  two  pieces,  one  diluted  oa  the 
eut,  the  other  on  the  weat  ride  of  Ckiok  street  The  house  was  on  the  west 
side.  Here  he  re.«ided  till  he  had  secured  his  £40  right,  which  was  granted 
"  March  IS,  17ul,"  and  then  remored  to  Woodbury.  In  April,  HU,  the  follow, 
ing  vole  wa,s  [)ii,-i.ii'd  in  town  meeting  : 

♦♦The  towu  to  encourage  Dr.  Epbraim  Warner  to  coine  and  live  with  ua  grant 
him  Uie  use  of  the  school  Und  for  three  years  (only  one  half  the  lot  in  Henoox*s 
Meedoir  Is  exempted  this  yeer,)  he  to  maintain  the  fences" 

The  town  also  voted  him  ten  ac-re^  in  the  sequester,  on  the  condition  that  he  re. 
niiiiii.'d  four  yoar8.  It  «M>m«<  lie  had  been  practicing  medicine  in  Woodbury,  wliero 
h'in  lnotlu  r  Ebenezcr  wius  engaged  in  the  same  calling,  and  the  Walerbury  people 
wonted  hid  services.  He  may  have  served  them  as  physician  before  his  removal, 
but  there  is  no  sulildent  evidence  of  this.  He  is  never  called  Doctor  on  the  record 
tin  Dec.  1706,  and  then  it  Is  not  clear  whether  ho  was  in  Waterbury  or  Wood- 
bury. After  this  date,  hi^  name  U  not  mentioned  till  the  town  vote  soliciting  hw 
return.  He  did  return  and  became  "  i>iiysiciaii  "  or  "  practitioner  "  (as  he  is  called 
in  decdii)  of  the  towu,  Dr.  Torler  being  surgeon,  or  more  properly  "  bouesctter." 
He  appears  to  have  settled  on  BucksUll,  as  did  several  of  his  sons,  to  whom  he 
gave  houses  and  lands.  In  Aug.  17SS,  he  eonveyed  to  his  *'  iMloved  son  Ebene> 
ser"  half  his  dwelling-house,  ("the  north  end,**)  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  the 
east  tide  the  highway,  oppo.site  hi»  (the  father's)  dwelling-hou.>«e,  and  half  the 
barn  :  al-io,  "  the  smith's  shop  and  the  tool.^  for  smith  work,"  he  to  pay  his  broth- 
er Ephraitn  £20  in  labor  in  twelve  months.  In  April,  1738,  he  had  removed  down 
nto  the  village,  and  ooeupied  the  northwest  comer  of  Cook  and  Orove  streets  i 
which  he  had  previously  owned.  At  this  date,  for  £120  which  " he  would  bestow** 
on  his  son  Ej^iraim  **as  h'lA  part  or  portion,**  he  deeded  to  him  the  place,  deacribcd 
as  three  acres  and  a  half,  with  all  the  Imildings  and  improvements,  north  and 
east  on  highways,  Bouth  on  Thomas  Broiisun,  west  on  Samuel  Scott,  the  grantor  re- 
serving the  use  of  one  half  the  property  during  his  life  and  during  the  life  of  his 
wifo.  Afterwards,  Jan.  1743-8,  lie  quit-eUmed  to  ^ihraim,  then  of  Farmington, 
the  whole  property. 

Dr.  Warner,  after  his  return  to  Waterbury,  became  one  of  the  nota1>ilitie!<'*  of 
the  town.  Win  name  is  often  met  with  on  the  record  He  bought  and  sold  rea\ 
esUite  to  a  htrgo  extent,  and  was  engaged  in  imblic  bui(inesd.  lie  was  towns- 
man, school  committee,  town  collector,  dcp  uy  to  the  General  Court  in 
Hay,  1717,  May,  1719,  ^ay  and  Oct  l7S0,>nd  Hay,  172S,  and  moderator  of 
town  meeting  in  1780.  Ah  early  as  172*2,  he  was  chosen  captain  of  the  train 
band,  and  was  the  second  wlio  wa-^  thus  distinguished  in  the  town. — Benjamin 
Warner,  oldest  son  of  Dr.  Ei)liraim,  (b.  Sept.  30,  1GU8,)  wa.s  accepted  as  a.  £10 
proprietor,  Dec.  23,  17 lo.  He  died  in  April,  llli.  lie  lived  on  Buckshill, 
(where  Ua  Ikther  ^ve  Urn  ft  house  and  lands,)  and  was  a  physieiaiu  Be  was 
called  **  Doctor  Ben,**  to  distingmsh  him  from  Us  &ther.— John  Warner,  second 
tion  of  Dr.  Ephraim,  wa-s  b.  June  24,  1700.  The  proprietore  granted  him  half  a 
bach'  lor  lot,  wliii  h  was  the  fotirth  propriety  lot,  Nov.  28, 1722,  William  Pcott  hav 
jug  the  other  half.  In  Dec.  1724,  his  father,  with  whom  ]\o  then  lived,  pave  him 
twenty  acres  of  land  oud  a  house  on  Buckshill,  valuing  them  to  him    at  £60 

money.**  He  afterwards  removed  to  Korthbnry,  and  was  the  third  deacmi  in  the 
Horthbury  church,  appointed  hi  1746.  He  d.  Sept.  7, 17M. 


Digitized  by  Google 


198 


mSTOBT  OF  WATEBBUST. 


S.  Robert ;  aeitled  in  Woodbmy,  and  died  in  1750. 

4i  Ebeneier.    He  eetUed  in  Woodbury,  became  a  phjiieian,  end  died  In  1769. 

CoL  Seth  WanuT  of  the  RcToIntion  was  liie  gnmdson.   (Cothren  ) 

5.  Lydiu  ;  luip.  March  13,  ItiSiVRl,  and  ni.  Paninol  Broii.«ou.    Her  father  in  lus 

will  gave  to  her  his  "hods  and  hoddinfr,  furniture,  and  household  Fluff." 
C.  Tbontaj; ;  baptized  May  G,  It'iSH.    He  must  have  died  before  Uis  lather. 

(Win.)  DANIEL  ViARSER. 

It  Uas  already  been  stated  that  Daniel  Warner,  one  of  the 
original  petittoners  and  first  Bubficribers,  died  in  Farmington, 
late  in  1679 ;  and  that  the  committee  bestowed  his  propriety  of 
£60  and  his  allotments  on  the  widow  and  her  children,  advis- 
ing her  to  erect  a  dwelliog-honso  <^with  all  possible  speed.'* 
She  followed  the  advice,  and  is  supposed  to  have  lived  on  the 
north  side  of  West  Main  street,  next  east  of  llionias  Judd, 
Sen.,  on  a  lot  of  two  acres  whicli,  in  April,  1G93,  stood  in  tlie 
name  of  her  son,  Daniel  Warner,  and  which  was  sold  by  him, 
at  that  date,  to  the  said  Judd,  butted  north  and  south  on  high- 
way, east  on  01>adiah  llichards. 

I  know  not  wlio  were  tlie  children  of  Daniel  Warner  of  Far- 
mington, except  tliat  one  was 

Daniel.  He  iettlod  in  Watcrbury,  and  came  Into  tlio  popswssion  of  the  family 
riehf  in  the  undivided  lands.  IHh  first  recorded  prant  of  land  was  in  Jan.  Ifi89-9f'» 
about  the  period  probably  of  liis  majority.  In  exchange  for  the  family  honie- 
Htead,  he  received  of  Judd,  about  the  time  of  hi«  marriage,  three  acres  at  Stanley's 
Timber,  lo  eaUed,  on  the  north  dde  of  the  Farmington  road,  Imlf  n  ndle  or  more 
from  the  meeting^hooee.  Bere  lie  built  a  house  and  lired.  The  lot^  with  tiro 
acres  which  had  been  added  to  it,  was  recorded  in  June,  170^,  as  fire  acre?,  more 
or  les.«,  witli  a  dwellinf^-honso,  east  on  Ensifrn  Stanley,  west  on  Abraham  Andn»i»s, 
deed.,  north  and  i>outb  on  highways.  In  June,  Warner  convcjed  his  house 
and  lot  to  John  Warner,  son  of  Thomas,  receiving  in  exchange  lands  at  Judd*a 
Heedow.  Soon  eikerwards,  he  removed  into  the  eouth  pert  of  the  town,  settling  on 
or  near  FuUing-Mill  Brook,  Fonietimes  called  Daniel  Whmer^B  Brook.  There  he 
is  known  to  have  had  a  hnn-;<'  in  Aug.  17<»8.  He  was  oneo  or  twice  fence  viewer, 
but  held  no  important  pul)lic  olhce.  Ilis  lirst  wife,  M:n  v  AndrusM,  died  April  10, 
1709.  lie  d.  Sept.  13,  1713,  being  the  lust  victim  of  the  great  sickness  of  that 
end  the  previons  yeer.  ffie  widow,  Marj,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Th<«ia8  Biohaeon, 
wae  living  in  1190.  Bia  eons,  Samuel,  Ebeneser  and  Abrdiam,  settled  at  Judd*8 
Meadow. 

THOMAS  WARNER. 

lie  was  ]n-ol)ably  younger  than  his  brother  John,  Sen.,  of 
Waterbury  and  Daniel  of  Farmington.  lie  was  not  a  first 
subscriber,  but  probably  took  his  deceased  father's  propriety 


Digitized  by  Google 


BBIOBT  OF  WATBBBUKT.  1D9 

and  allotineiitij.  He  did  not  take  effectual  ineasuruo  to  secure 
his  riglits  till  after  the  forfeiture  nf  Feb.  1CS2-3. 

Tlioiiias  AVarner  was  a  sul)seiil)er  to  Mr.  Peck's  scttleineiit. 
He  held  some  uuiinportaMt  town  offices — wa^  hay  ward,  chim- 
ney viewer,  surveyor.  His  house  was  on  the  eiistern  side  of 
Bank  street,  where  the  Baptist  Church  now  stands.  Tlie  com- 
mittee voted  in  Nov.  IfJTO,  that  liis"  siller"  [cellar]  mii^ht 
stand  "without  molestation  accordin«^  to  an  agreement  made 
with  Left.  Samuel  8ter]."  His  lot  contained, March  21, 1098-9, 
two  acres  and  three  quarters,  and  was  bounded  north  on  John 
Hopkins'  house  lot,  east  (before  the  above  date)  on  John  Rich- 
ards' house  lot,  "  south  on  a  lot  which  formerly  belonged  to 
the  parsonage,"  west  on  liighway.  lie  conveyed  the  place,  at 
the  above  date,  to  John  ^chards,  and  received  in  e.xcliange 
a  house  and  three  acres  of  land  on  the  southwest  side  of  the 

mill  path,"  where  he  afterwards  lived. 

Thomas  Warner  m.  Elizabeth  ^  and  d.  Xov.  24, 1714. 

Ilis  son  Benjamin  of  New  Haven,  was  administrator  on  his 
estate.  The  "heighrs"  made  an  agreement  with  him,  by 
which  he  was  to  take  care  of  the  widow,  "  providing  for  her 
a  cfunfortable  place  to  live  in,  and  meat,  drink,  lodging,  appa- 
rel, phjsic  and  nescessaries  suitable,  as  long  as  she  lives."  As 
a  compensation,  they  qnit-cUumed  to  him,  the  said  Benjamin, 
all  their  interest  in  Uie  estate  of  the  deceased. 

Children : 

1.  EUzabctb  ;  ni.  Samuel  ChattertOD. 

2.  Benjamin.  The  first  tiiiM  hia  imiim  ia  met  with  on  the  record  b  in  lA98t 
Ho  wee  aooepted  as  die  owner  of  e  tMclielor  ri|^t  ejboai  1700.  Wm  fiither  gave 

liim  a  part  of  his  home  lot  on  the  mill  patli,  July  10,  1702.  Soon  after,  when  he 
could  do  it  witlioiit  ji  npardini;  lii'*  £lo  ri;j^lit.  and  when  true  men  were  inoj^t  need- 
ed, he  removed  lu  New  lluvcu.  There  he  had  a  daughter,  Desire,  born  Aug.  28, 
1704,  and  afterwards,  Benjamin  and  Joseph.  He  is  called  Sen.  on  the  list  of  pro- 
prietors, to  dlatingnlsh  Um  from  Bet^anun,  the  son  of  Bphndm  Warner,  wlio  is 
termed  Jr. — (The  third  child  bom  before  1('>80 1  have  been  unable  to  find.) 

•1.  John;  b.  March  fi,  168()-S1,  iti  W;it«Tbury,  a**  were  the  .«uhr;i^<|Hoiit  children. 
He  was  adtiiittiMl  as  a  £t"t  proprietor  Dee.  23,  ITt'l,  ami  pureha,sed,  June,  17»»,'),  Dan- 
iel Wuruer'd  houpo  and  lot  of  tive  acres  on  the  Farmington  road,  lie  vinA  called 
taOor,  thai  befaig  his  trade,  to  dlatbgidah  hfan  from  the  other  John  Wamere  John 
the  eon  of  John  and  John  the  son  of  Ephraim.  Sept  80, 17  IS,  he  deeded  the 
land  "with  the  fencing  and  building  and  fruit  tree^,"  whieli  he  bought  of  Daniel 
Warner,  to  Ehonezer  Bronson  for  £11,  and  the  winie  day  left  the  town.  The  lot 
was  afterwards  called,  after  him,  the     tailor  lot."   For  some  reason,  he  was 


Digitized  by  Google 


200 


BmOBT  OV  WATEKB17BT. 


oon-idi  11(1  iis  lui\  iiif:  forfeited  Km  hailielor  lot.    He  appears  to  hare  returned  to 
NVuti  i  tmi  V  at  u  lati-r  day,  and  to  have  been  an  inhabitant  ia  1134-5. 
r>.  Mary  ;  b.  Dec.  9,  1682,  and  d.  Juuu  7,  17U5. 

6.  lUrtha;  b.  April  1,  lM4,ftndm.  John  Androas,  son  of  Abraluun,  Sen. 

7.  Thomaa ;  b.  Oct  28, 1687,  m.  Abagul  Btmeo,  and  liTod  in  Famington. 

8.  Snnrod;  b.  "  Xtrch  16,  1690  received  a  bachelor  lot  March  10,  1712,  and 
waA  fence  viewer  and  hayward  in  1714.  He  lived  at  Jttdd*s  Meadow,  and  died 

about  1741. 

9.  Margaret;  b.  "March  16,  1693,^' and  m.  Ebeneaer  Richason,  son  of  Thomas. . 

JOHN  WELTON. 

The  family  tradition  is  that  he  was  originally  from  Sajbrook. 
He  was  an  early,  bnt  not  a  first  settler  of  Fannington. 
He  was  one  of  the  eiglitj-fonr  proprietors  of  that  town  in 
1673,  and  a  signer  of  the  articles  in  1674.  He  had  fence  in 
all  the  allotments  except  the  first,  and  was  probably  in  Matta- 
tuck  as  early  as  1679.  I  do  not  learn  that  he  was  backward 
in  complying  with  the  conditions  to  which  he  had  siibscribed. 
Though  not  perhaps  a  leading  man,  he  may  have  been  a  val- 
uable one  notwitlistanding.  At  any  rate,  he  did  not  run  away 
when  lie  found  tliat  dilHcultv  and  danfjer  were  to  be  en- 
countered,  lie  was  one  of  the  twenty-live  that  pledged  tlioin- 
selves  to  i>ay  Mr.  Peck's  salary.  At  one  time  (in  1691)  he  got 
upon  the  road  of  military  distinction,  l)nt  some  how  ended 
where  he  began,  witli  the  rank  of  corixiial.  lie  was  select- 
man in  1708,  and  town  constable  for  eight  years  between  1698 
and  1714. 

John  AVelton  lived  on  the  south  side  of  AVest  Main  street, 
near  where  Mrs.  Giles  Ives'  house  stands.  Ills  house  lot  con- 
tained two  acres,  and  was  bounded,  in  1GS7,  east  on  Thomaa 
Judd,  Jr.,  west  on  Abraham  Andruss,  Sen.,*  north  and  south 
on  highway.  In  his  old  age,  by  deed  dated  March  2,  1726, 
he  conveyed  to  Ids  eldest  eon  John  and  to  John's  youngest  son 
Oliver,  (the  latter  to  be  "the  proper  heir,"  at  tlio  decease  of 
his  father,)  his  house  and  home  lot,  and  his  "three  acer  lot 
lying  within  the  meadow  fence,"  (next  east  of  the  old  burying 
yar<10  and  another  lot  over  the  river,  on  condition  that  he  the 
said  John  should  take  care  of  the  father  (then  living  with  the 
son)  and  provide  for  liim  during  his  natural  life. 

*  A  record,  made  In  June,  ITOB,  when  there  had  been  change*  of  ownership,  bonnda  the  lot 
MM(  Ml  lobert  Scott,  and  wmI  on  TImmms  Jadd«  Jr. 


Digitized  by  GoOglc 


HIROBT  OF  WATKBBDBY* 


201 


Jolin  Wclton's  TvifcV  iianu'  was  Marv.  Tlieylia<l  six  child- 
reii  before  tliey  left  FiirininiXt<>Ti ;  or  at  any  rate,  the  lirdt  one 
born  ill  Waterlairv  is  called  the  seventh.  He  died  June  IS, 
IT-J^J.  iiiid  his  wife,  Mary,  Oct.  18, 1716.  Hia  flon  George  was 
adniinis^trator. — Estate  £13(1,  14s, 

Children: — (I  am  unable  to  find  but  live  of  the  six  bom  be- 
fore tlie  father  came  to  Waterbury.) 

1.  Abigail;  ui.  about  1691,  Cornellua  Broiuoa  of  Woodbury.    She  was  living 
«  widow  in  1742. 
8.  ICary;  m.  Aug.  17, 169S,  John  Biehards. 

8.  Elizabeth  ;  m.  Thonia.>«  Griffin,  and  d.  at>oiit  iho  tiiin'  of  hor  father. 

4.  .Tohti;  in.  "  Murch  17ot;,"  Sarah,  d.  of  Ezfkicl  Buck,  Jr.  of  Wi'thor>=fiiUI, 
and  d.  April  3,  1738.  IIi.s  widow  d.  in-pt.  5,  1751.  He  had  a  grant  of  a  houi^c  lot 
from  the  proprietors  as  early  a»  Jan.  ltiU2-0,  he  to  boild  and  remain  six  years  in 
tlie  town.  Be  lud  ynAtMj  then  jnst  completed  Us  twentj>flnt  jw.  After* 
ward«,  Qn.  1707-B,)  he  was  nwde  *  £40  proprietor.  He  w«8  n  wenTer  by  trade ; 
enrvcyor  in  1709  ;  grave  digger  in  1726,  1727  and  1720,  and  wrote  by  proxy.  lie 
liTod  with  hia  iatbefi  and  probably  improved  the  homestead  after  the  death  of  the 
latter. 

6.  Stephen  ;  m.  Haitli  4, 1701-8,  Miry,  d.  of  Joeeph  Ckylord,  and  Jan.  28, 
1712-lS,  Joanna  Wetmore  of  8im^»ary.  He  died  March  18, 1718.  He  was  ad- 
mitted a  bachelor  proprietor  in  diM  course,  (March  26,  1699  ;)  was  chimney  view- 
er in  17(M),  and  collector  of  town  and  niiniiitorial  rates  several  time.".  II i.s  trade 
was  that  of  a  weaver.  In  Sept.  17ul,  he  bought  of  Kphraim  Warner  a  house  and 
lot  on  the  comer  of  Grove  and  Willow  streets,  (uiurkcd  Frands  H.  Pratt.)  After- 
ward*, he  resided  on  the  eomer  of  Beat  and  North  Main  streets,  In  a  house  ho 
bought  Feb.  2, 1708-4,  of  his  CMher  Qaylord. 

7.  lUohard;  b.  March,  1680,**  (reputed  the  first  male  child  of  European  pa. 
rents  born  in  Watorbury,)  and  cl.  in  175'>.  His  wife  wa«  Mary,  d.  of  Stephen  Up- 
BOD.  He  received  bachelor  accommodations  in  May,  1699  ;  was  (ap|>arently)  a 
bidldor  by  trade,  a  townsman  in  1788,  and  a  sergeant  of  ndUtia.  He  first  bought 
the  house  and  a  lot  of  tiireo  aeres  on  the  eomer  of  Groro  and  Wfllow  streets  of 
hLs  brother  Stephen,  for  which  he  ga%*o  "a  horse  and  a  young  stear  and  a  parcel 
of  timber,"  the  il.ito  of  the  purchase  being  Aug.  1,  1703.  He  afterwards,  in  1711, 
*'  in  con->iiier.ition  of  a  two  year  old  hefler  "  conveyed  the  luinl  (nothing  is  said  of 
a  house)  to  John  Scuvill.  Before  this^,  or  in  17U8,  he  bought  the  house  of  Jo- 
seph Qaylord,  Jr.,  on  BodtshlD,  to  which  ptaoe  ho  removed. 

8.  Hannah ;  b.  April  1,  1688,  and  n.  Thomas  Sqnire,  Jr.  She  was  living  in 
1742. 

9.  Thomas;  b.  Feb.  4,  lfiS4-r>  ;  m.  March  9,  1714,  Hannah,  d.  of  Josiah  Alford, 
and  d.  April  19,  1717.  He  had  two  sons,  both  of  whom  d,  young,  and  his  estate 
was  distributed  in  1730  to  his  brothers  and  suiters.  He  received  a  bachelor  lot  in 
1706-8. 

10.  George ;  b.  Feb.  8, 1688-7,  m.  Elisabeth  ,  and  d.  Jaa.  7, 1778.— Estate 

£311,  ."is.  When  he  w.is  sixteen  years  of  age,  hw  father  botind  him,  for  two  years^ 
to  his  brother  Stephen  to  learn  the  weavers  trade.  When  the  two  years  were  com- 


Digitized  by  Google 


202 


UI6T0BY  OF  WATEKBU&V. 


pleted,  Stephen  was  to  give  him  "  a  loom  and  allthhigs  or  geen  mitable  for  worck- 

in^  one  sort  of  plain  worck."  George  was  the  fifth  of  his  fathcr*i«  sons  who  re- 
c-oivoil  haohelor  privilope.a,  ho  l)cinf;  accepted  Jan.  I'lOr^-i].  When  his  right  was 
hccureii,  he  removed  to  Stratford,  where  he  was  resitling  in  1716.  He  returned 
to  Waterbary  before  Dec  1721,  and  afterwards  lived  near  ScotCs  Mountain, 
(northeastern  part  of  Watertown.) 
11.  Else;  b.  Aog.  1690;  m.  — —  Chiffin  and  lived  In  Sinisbncy  ui  1788. 


CHAPTER  XIIL 


ECCLESIASTICAL  AFFAIRS  :   MR.  FECK'S  MIMSTRY. 

It  is  M'cU  undeihtood  that>«iow  Kiiicland  wa.s  settled  bv  Con- 
grcgationalists  tVoiu  Old  En<i:land,  who  desired  to  get  quit  of 
a  churcli  establisliiiieiit  which  they  did  not  approve,  and  to 
set  up  religious  worship  and  a  church  government  which 
sliould  accord  with  their  peculiar  views.  By  settling  in  tin's 
far  distant  country  they  hoped  to  escape  the  persecutions  wiiich 
non-conformity  had  brought  upon  them  at  home.  Tlicy  loved 
civil  libert}',  but  chiefly  as  a  means  of  securing  freedom  for 
themselves  in  tlic  church.  They  sought  to  establish  a  govern- 
ment and  a  religion  based  on  the  Bible,  and  which  should  be 
administered,  even  in  matters  of  detail,  according  to  the  Di- 
vine will- 

The  colonists  of  Connecticut  took  good  care  to  provide  for 
the  interests  of  religion.  They  were  not  slow  in  granting 
material  aid.  The  committee  for  the  settlement  of  Mattatnck, 
in  accordance  with  a  provision  in  the  original  articles,  reserved 
tliree  proprieties  of  £150  each,  for  public  and  pious  uses. 
These  were  the  three  great  lots"  mentioned  in  the  early 
records.  It  was  designed  the  minister  should  have  one  of 
them,  **iho  majger  part  of  the  inhabitants"  to  determine 
which.  His  was  a  larger  interest  than  was  allowed  to  any 
other  individual.  It  was  larger  because  the  minister  was  a 


Digitized  by  GoOglc 


HiJsTOSY  OF  WATERBU&T. 


203 


more  (lignitied  and  important  personage  tlian  any  other.  The 
propriety  was  entitled,  lr(»ni  tla-  tirst,  to  all  the  divisiuus  and 
privileges  of  the  other  projM'ieties. 

liesides  tlic  provision  which  has  been  mentioned,  the 
committee,  Nov.  27,  lOTU, 

Pctormined  that  the  Jioin  lott  of  two  acres  Iviii;^  att  the  cuftt  end  of  the  town, 
abutttiiii;  northwnrdly  on  tlionias  Wiirner.^  hous  lott  and  h  peec  of  nieudow  and 
swamp  coutaiiiiug  abought  liltecn  Acrs  by  estiiiiatiou  king  upon  fcjlccla  bruoke 
abutting  vpon  the  nortb  on  Edman  [Edmund]  Scoote  Jun'  on  ThonuM  Jadd 
Junor  <m  tk«  Mik  and  on  a  hill  south  and  west— And  a  pelce  of  land:  containing 
bj  estimation  thre  acrs  lying  in  the  pasture  land  cumanly  so  called:  Shall  be  and 
remain  for  the  occupation  and  iuiprouemeut  of  the  minister  of  the  townefor 
euer  \>  itiiuut  any  altaratiun  or  disposal!  Tse  or  iuiprouemeut  what  soe  euer. 

Tlie  house  lot  in  the  preceding  extract  was  on  the  east  side 
of  Bank  street,  a  little  south  of  the  present  Baptist  Church.  It 
was  called  the  "parsonage,"  and  was  exchanged,  without  any 
right,  by  the  town,  Dec.  30,  lC7d,  with  Stephen  Upson,  (it  was 
afterwards  recorded  as  belonging  to  said  Upson,)  for  a  lot  of 
two  acres,  lying  further  to  the  east  and  south,  and  in  the  rear 
of  Upson^s  house  lot.  This  rear  lot  was  afterwards  sequestered 
by  special  act  of  the  town,  as  follows: 

April:  10:  1699  y*  town  by  uoak  did  sequester  y*  lot  at  y*  east  end  of  thomaa 
womer  Stephen  nbton  and  riebard  porters  hous  Iota  to  be  and  remain  to  y« 
paanag. 

The  lot  of  three  acres  in  the  pasture  land,"  afterwards 
called  "  the  little  pasture, "  was  the  late  parsonage  lot,'^ 
lying  between  Willow  street  and  the  old  '^Long  Cove," 
through  which  the  Hartford  and  Fishkill  Railroad  was  laid  out. 

The  first  settlers  of  Waterbury  were,  in  a  majority  of 
instances,  members  of  Mr.  Samuel  Hooker's  church  and 
society  of  Fannington.  In  removing,  they  deprived  them- 
selves, for  the  ]nn>t  ])art,  of  the  inini>trations  of  the  Gospel. 
As  they  were  a  "go-to-meeting"  people,  they  iVlt  thi>  to  be 
a  sore  deprivation.  They  not  <»nly  ha<l  no  regular  }»reae]iing, 
but  tliev  had  nobodv  to  olliciale  at  the  ])nrial  of  their  dead, 
or  to  })ertV>rni  the  ceremony  of  baptism.  For  many  years 
they  had  to  go  to  Fannington,  twenty  miles,  to  get  their 
children  baptized.  Tliey  doubtless  had  oceasional  preaehing. 
As  thev  had  a  minister's  house  alreadv  built  at  the  time 
Mr.  Feck  was  invited  to  settle,  they  probably  had  a  minister 


Digitized  by  Google 


204 


mSTOSY  OF  WATElEBU^r. 


residing  with  them  a  part  of  the  time.  l>ut  thoy  needed  an 
ordained  pastor  of  their  own,  and  at  the  earliest  moment,  when 
their  circumstances  wouhl  allow  it,  they  took  steps  to  procure 
one.  They  gave  a  "cuii"  to  Mr.  Jereiuiah  Peck  of  Green- 
wich, as  follows : 

Att  a  meeting  of  the  propriatora  of  wttterburj  march  the  eighteen:  1689: 
[1690,  K.  S.]  tht'V  d'u\  unanenms-^ly :  dosir:  m'  Jerimy  pceckc  sen'  of  grinape  : 
tosctle  with  them  in  the  woirke  of  tin-  iniiu'Stry:  Att  the  same  meeting  for  the 
iacoragmcute  of  pecke  abuuo  baiU:  the  prupriutoro  guue  him  the  huutut  built 
for  the  ndneeter :  with  the  horn  lote :  att  hla  first  cntanuis  ther :  with  his  fiunely : 

Att  the  seme  meeting  the  sbone  said  proprktors  of  wetMbnry  grsnted:  m' 
Jeremy  peek  :  of  grinag  :  the  other  alotmcnts :  or  geuerall  deuiiiioiis :  belonging 
to  the  niinesters  h>to  ho  called  :  proiiitltMl:  he  coha!»it  with  theni  four  yeres  :  :  ami 
if  tiie  prouidens  of  god :  so  dispos  that  he  shod  dyv  befor  the  lour  yen  be  out  itt 
shall  fall  to  his  heirs. 

At  the  aune  meeting  the  proprietors  Gruited  to  Ckleb  and  Jeremiah  Peelc  the 
two  House  Letts  Laid  out  to  the  great  Lotis  one  buting  westerly  on  Abraliam 
Andrass  his  home  Lott  the  other  on  ben  Jonea  his  home  Lott  and  one  of  the 
Great  Lotts  of  Medow  with  the  Severall  Divisions  of  \ipland  upon  Condition 
they  build  Kach  of  thom  A  teuentable  house  that  Is  to  Say  a  bouse  upou  Each 
home  Lott  and  dweU  with  ym  four  years. 

In  order  to  provide  for  Mr.  Peck's  support,  the  proprietors 
entered  into  the  following  agreement.  It  bean  no  date,  but  is 
recorded  in  connection  with  the  votes  which  gave  the  call,  &q. 
It  was  probably  signed  at  the  same  time,  or  soon  after  the 
votes  were  passed.  There  is  evidence  of  this,  (were  any  needed,) 
to  be  galihered  from  the  names  appended  to  it 

In  Consldaratkm  of  settling  the  reaarant :  M'  Jerimy  peclce  in  the  worcke  of 
the  menestry:  amongst  ts:  in  watterbnry :  we  whos  names:  are  mder  writen: 
doe  ingagc :  to  pay  to  the  aforsaid :  m'  J«4my  peelce  aoordug  to  our  yerly  grand 

Icuy  ecth:  of  us:  our  proportions  of  sixty:  pounds  by  the  yere:  to  be  payed  fifty* 

pounds  in  prouitiou  pay:  and  ten  pounds  in  WOodand  thus  to  doc  yerly 

Rola-rt  porter  :                  John  hrownson  John  newill 

TI101UU.S  Judd  sen            Samuel  biekox  Abraham  andrews  sea 

John  standly                Obadbh  ilchards  Danidl  wamer: 

John  wUton  sen              piUp  Jadd  beiUanrin  bams 

Bdman  seOOte  sen             Abram  Andrews  Tliomus  richurdsoa 

Isaac  hrownson                Tliomu.s  Judd  Ju  Timothy  standly 

Joseph  gayler                   Thomu.s  warner  :  John  lioi)kins  : 

Dauiel  porter:                 Edman  t^coot  Ju  titeuen  vpsoti 

Thomus  newell 

Mr.  Peck  accepted  the  invitation  extended  to  liini.    He  }>ro- 

bably  began  to  preach,  regularly,  for  the  Waterbury  people. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBBBUST.  205 

as  early  as  tlie  sumuier  of  1080,  and  removed  into  the 
town  with  liis  family,  in  the  beginninij^  of  tlie  foHowing 
veur.    But  his  formal  settlement  Wivs  delayed  for  some  time. 

There  was  a  law  in  existence,  at  this  date,  which  dechired 
"that  no  person,  within  this  colony,  shall  in  any  wise  imbody 
themselves  into  church  estate,  without  consent  of  the  general 
court,  and  approbation  of  neigkboriDg  elders."  In  obedience 
to  tluB  requirement,  the  ibliowiog  petition  was  drawn  up  and 
presented : 

To  the  honored  Oemnl  Gonrt  oar  htunble  aalutetioiis  prewnled :  wUhiDg  M 

happincM  maj  attend  ve :  we  at  least  »oine  of  Uw  Inhftbitants  of  Watcrt)ury 
Ix'iiip  by  the  goodness  of  God,  inclined  and  der^iroiH  to  pronioue  [proniot.-]  tlio 
conrorns  of  the  Kingduin  of  Christ  in  tlu!»  place  liy  romitif?  into  ehurch  ordi  r  :  do 
find :  which  we  well  approue  of:  that  it  hath  been  ordered  by  the  honoured 
General  Conrt:  that  no  pencnu  wltUn  tiib  Cdonj  diaD  In  any  wise  Imbody: 
thenMolufla  Into  chvroh  estate  without  the  oonaent  of  the  General  Ooortand  appro* 
bation  of  the  neighbour  churches,  wee  humbly  request  (he  conaentof  the  honoured 
General  Court  nowa^femblin;:  :  that  we  may  as  God  shall  fxiue  n><  CauFC  and  asssint- 
anee  proceed  to  the  piitherin^  of  a  Conjrregationall  Church  in  tlii>i  phicc,  and  for 
the  approbation  of  neighbour  Churches  wo  detiire  it  and  intend  to  seek  it.  fc^o 
being  unwilling  too  long  to  prevent  yoor  Honon  from  Other  emofgent  oceaaions. 
we  hi  bieidty  tobaeribe  ouneloea  In  all  duly  your  bumble  Benianta  In  the  name 
and  behalf  of  the  reat  of  wt  Brethren* 

JimiMUB  Tr.cK 

From  Waterbury.  SL  May.  12.  Isaac  BaocNsoAir 

The  preceding  docoment  maj  be  found  in  the  first  volume 
of  Ecclesiastical  Records,  at  Hartford.  It  Is  in  Hr.  Peck's 
band  writings  except  the  name  of  Isaac  Bronson.  It  is  written 
in  a  neat,  almost  elegant,  band.  I  bave  given,  in  anotber 
place,  fac  similes  of  tbe  signatures  witb  tbe  date.  The  Court's 
action  on  tbe  petition  may  be  seen  as  follows: 

May  1691.    Ur.  Peck  and  I^ajic  Branson  in  the  behalfe  of  the  people  of  Water* 

bury  petitioning  thia  court  [kc  ]  This  Court  doe  freely  Grant  them  their 

request,  and  ahall  freely  eneourage  them  in  their  beginnings  and  desire  the  Lord 
to  give  them  good  soecesa  therein  they  procee<Ung  according  to  call  therein. 

It  was  a  practice  among  the  early  Cou^n-egatioiuiHsts  of 
Conneeticnt,  when  a  cliiirch  was  to  bo '*oratliered,"  to  Hi'lt'Ct 
from  aiiK'iig  the  brethren  seven  persons  (niah  s)  who  were  term- 
ed tlio  seven  piHars.  Tliesc  cliose  tlieir  nlHeei>,  inehuHiiLC  tlie 
pastor,  who  was  u.-ually  one  of  their  nuiiilter.  Aft^-r  the  chureh 
was  organized,  other  nienibers  were  admitted  hy  vote  who 


Digitized  by  Google 


206  BIBTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 

took  part  in  the  i)roceetlings.  The  "Wnterbiiry  eliiirch  is  un- 
derstood to  have  been  i'ornied  after  tliis  method  with  seven 
male  members,  who  were  tlie  pillars  ;*  but  Dr.  TrunibuU 
states,  in  liis  History  of  Connecticut,  that  the  metliod  in  ques- 
tion was  peenliur  to  the  ehurelies  of  New  Haven,  Milford  and 
Guilford  ;  "  the  churches  in  the  other  towns  being  gathered, 
by  subscribing  similar  confessions  of  faith,  and  covenanting 
together  in  the  same  solemn  manner,  upon  days  of  fasting  and 
prayer.  Neighboring  Klders  and  churches  were  present  on 
those  occasions,  assisted  in  the  public  solemnities^  and  gave 
their  consent.'' 

At  what  precise  time  the  church  of  Waterbury  was  organ- 
ized, I  have  been  unable  to  ascertain.  Dr.  Trumbull  says, 
"  August  26thy  1669,"  and  Mr.  Farmer,  in  his  Genealogical 
Register,  gives  this  as  tlie  date  of  Mr.  Peck's  ordination. 
Probably  Mr.  Fanner  copies  from  Trumbull.  I  once  supposed 
that  "  1669  "  was  a  misprint  for  1689,  and  that  the  last  was 
the  tme  time  of  Mr.  Feck's  settlement.  Others  have  enter- 
tained a  similar  opinion.  This,  however,  cannot  be  the  proper 
explanation.  Some  of  the  TVaterbury  people  were  admitted 
members  of  the  Farmington  church  as  late  as  March,  1690-91, 
and  their  children  were  baptized  there  down  to  April,  1691. 
Indeed,  Mr.  Peck  and  "  the  brethren,"  as  we  have  already 
seen,  did  not  get  permission  of  the  Oeneral  Court  to  embody 
themselves"  till  the  May  Session,  1691.  In  all  probability 
the  installation,  or  ordination,  took  place  soon  after,  possibly 
"  August  26ih,"  as  in  TrambulL  I  say  installation,  or  ordination, 
for  it  is  not  quite  certain  that  Mr.  Peck  had  been  previously 
ordained,  though  he  was  then  nearly  seventy  yeare  of  age.  It 
lias  been  supposed  that  he  was  an  ordained  minister  while  in 
Greenwich,  and  as  strong  circumstantial  evidence  that  he  waa 
so,  the  recorded  fact  is  adduced  that  he  was  complained  of 
about  the  time  of  his  removal  to  Waterbury,  by  some  of  the 
people,  in  a  formal  manner,  because  of  his  "  refusing  to  bap- 
tize their  children, '"f  If  he  had  no  antlmrity  to  baptize,  no- 
body could  have  complained  of  him  for  refusing,  tkc.  And 

*  ManiucriptH  of  Btnnet  Ilron^on. 

t  M*aufeript  letter  of  Dariiu  Peck,  Esq.,  Iladwo,  N.  Y.,  from  whom  I  hare  received  ioteraat* 
lag  Inforantlaii  eoaotmbif  hit  anefrtor.  I  m  alio  l»f|dy  fuUbtti  to  Mr.  Jodd  of  North- 
•mploB. 


Digitized  by  Google 


mnOBT  OF  WATBSBirST. 


207 


yet,  if  he  had  autliority,  why  did  he  not  baptize  tlie  children 
of  Waterhury,  after  he  begaa  to  preach,  and  before  his  formal 
settlement  i  "  No  half-way  covenant "  question,  it  is  believed, 
existed  here,  as  there  probably  did  in  Greenwich.  At  any 
rate,  the  children  were  those  of  professors,  and  yet  were  car- 
ried to  Fannington  f«>r  baptism. 

Again,  it  appears  from  the  records  of  Greenwich  that  Mr. 
Peck  performed  the  ceremony  of  marriage  there  as  early  as 
16S1 ;  bat  the  statnte  permitted  no  one  to  do  this  except  magis- 
trates, commissioners,  justices  of  the  peace  and  ordained  min- 
isters. 

Who  the  seven  male  members  were  I  am  nnable  to  say  with 
certainty,  except  that  Isaac  Bronson  was  one  of  them.  Mr. 
Peck  himself  may  have  been  another.  There  can  be  but  little 
doubt  that  John  Stanley  and  Thomas  Jndd,  Sen.  were  also  of 
the  number.  The  other  church  members  were  Obadiah  Rich- 
ards, Abraham  Andruss,  (c<><>])er,)  John  Hopkins,  (probably,) 
Joseph  Gaylord,  Thomas  Judd,  Jr.,  Benjamin  Barnes,  and 
Thomas  Judd,  son  of  'William.  All  these,  except  Mr.  Peck 
and  John  Hopkins,  had  belonged  to  Mr.  Hooker's  church  of 
Farmington,  the  four  last  having  been  admitted  within  two 
years.  There  were  no  other  known  male  members  of  churches. 

Thomas  Jndd,  the  son  of  William  Judd,  or  Thomas  Judd 
the  smith,  was  tlic  first  deacon  of  the  Waterbury  church.  So 
says  his  tomb-stone,  still  standing,  and  there  are  not  sufficient 
reasons  for  doubting  it.  Still,  there  are  some  circumstances 
which  render  it  improbable  that  he  was  a])pointed  at  tlie  or- 
ganization of  tlie  clnircli,  in  1G91.  He  did  not  become  a 
eliiirch  member  till  ^larch  22d,  of  tluit  year,  he  then  being 
under  twenty-nine  years  of  age,  as  shown  by  the  Farniin<j:ti)n 
records.  It  is  not  probable  that  a  man  would  have  been  cho- 
sen fur  deacon  Avho  had  been  a  member  of  the  church  but  a 
few  months,  especially  if  he  was  young  in  years  as  well  as 
religious  experience.  Tliere  were  i)ersons  then  living  who  had 
been  long  members,  who  were  older  and  better  known  than 
Judd,  some  of  whom,  we  may  suppose,  would  have  been  se- 
lected in  preference,  had  a  deacon  been  clmscn  as  early  as 
1691.  John  Stanley,  Thomas  Judd,  Sen.,  and  Isaac  Uron-^on, 
for  aught  that  appears,  were  every  way  qualified  for  a  rcspon- 


Digitized  by  Google 


I.  •  « 


1  •  -    '  ■ .  ■    .  ■  •  , . 


I.-. 


"  llli 


1. 1 


I  I.. 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


208 


UISTOBY  OF  WATERBUBY. 


sible  place  in  the  infant  church.  Why  some  one  of  them  was 
not  made  a  deacon  at  the  ontset,  I  am  nnable  to  say. 

Thomas  Jndd,  known  as  the  eon  of  William,  or  the  smith, 
was  thus  called  to  distinguish  him  from  his  uncle,  and  his 
cousin  of  the  same  name.  He  is  uniformly  thus  termed, 
whenever  mentioned  in  the  records,  previous  to  1696.  Had 
he  been  deacon  at  an  earlier  date,  he  would  most  certainly, 
unless  from  carelessness,  have  been  so  denominated.  8uch  an 
office,  in  those  dajs,  when  titles  were  not  so  cheap  as  now,  was 
no  slight  aftair  for  a  young  man.  It  could  not  with  decency 
have  been  forgotten  or  overlooked.  For  the  fii-st  time,  Jiuld 
k  called  deacon,  on  the  town  records,  March  2Ttli,  IGOO.  This 
title  was  suihciently  distinctive,  «and  afterwards,  for  many 
years,  was  applied  to  him  witli  scarcely  an  exception,  save  in 
legal  documents.  At  last,  however,  he  won  a  more  exalted 
honor,  lie  became  ca})tain  of  the  train-baud,  aud  the  eccle- 
siastical was  sunk  in  the  military  title. 

It  appears  (piito  j)rol>al)le  then  that  Dea,  Thomas  Judd  was 
not  appointed  to  his  otiice  in  the  church  till  about  four 
veal's  after  Mr.  Peck's  settlement.  Whv  the  church  should 
SO  long  have  neglected  to  make  this  aj^pointment,  I  am  muihle 
to  explain.  Similar  instances  of  delay,  however,  were  occa- 
sional, and  may  have  been  common. 

No  sooner  had  Mr.  Peck  been  settled  in  the  ministry,  than 
the  want  of  a  meeting  house  became  painfully  evident.  The 
following  is  a  petition,  copied  from  the  colonial  records,  pre- 
sented to  the  General  Court  for  assistance.  I  am  not  aware 
that  the  petitioners  got  any  help : 

[May  it]  please  the  houourabic  GcDcrall  Assembly  to  take  into  their  serious  con- 
dderation  the  Condition  and  Request  of  your  hvmble  and  louing  senunta  the  in- 
haUtanls  of  W&terbury  as  to  our  Condition  the  prouidence  of  God  and  that  In 
aenerall  ways  hath  broufjht  us  low  by  losses  of  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  losses  in  our 
liuing  stock  :  htit  osinH-iiilly  by  much  sickness  among  us  for  the  space  of  the  last 
four  years:  wi-  Hue  remotely  •  •  •  our  aflfaires  cost  us  much  Charge,  pains 
and  hardships,  a»  to  oar  Petftloa  and  that  whieh  we  deaireat  is  your  encouraging 
and  aariating  of  as  we  hope  in  the  work :  yet  too  heany  for  na :  ris  the  bnilding 
of  an  houM  conuenient  for  na  to  aaMmble  in  for  thft  worship  of  God  such  an  house 
we  doc  more  and  more  find  very  great  need  of  [&c.]  much  we  could  incntion  by 
way  of  persuasion  :  but  we  are  preucntcd  of  time  and  ut-  hope  tliat  a  fVu  words 
to  the  wise  will  be  sufficient,  it  may  be  coui<idcred  that  wc  Imue  been  olU  n  ut 
Charges  in  aending  forth  hoiamen  for  the  timdy  dacouery  of  an  approaching  ene> 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


Ly  Google 


HISTORY  OF  WATEBBU&T. 


209 


mto  whieh  bath  been  or  might  bane  been  some  safeguard  to  our  ndgbbours  in 
otber  Towncfl,  for  tbia  our  Sconting  we  bane  bad  pobBque  recompenie,  we  also 

haue  had  farr  more  trouble  than  some  other  Towns  in  the  Colonio  by  the  Souldiers 
pa-siiifT  to  and  fro  and  tlioir  ofli'ii  entcrtainim-nts  with  us  whiili  hath  occafioiifd 
much  cxponi^e  of  our  time  We  also  arc  aufunned  that  we  tihall  not  l>o  tlte 

first  that  haue  pubUquo  aasutance  in  the  like  work  in  this  Colonic  we  hope  right 
worthy  S&n  tbat  jon  that  are  the  Patrons  of  this  Chtistiao  Commonwealth ;  will 
be  pleased  to  glue  us  further  encoaragcmcnt  to  build  God*8  house— the  encourage* 
mont  which  we  doe  partieularlv  potitioii  for  is  tliat  our  Puhrunio  rates  may  be 
piuon  to  MA  for  tho  f^patf  itf  the  four  next  ensuing;  years,  we  find  in  lioly  Writ 
tbat  80nic  whuiMi  spirit  God  hath  Stirred  up  huue  been  famous  in  in  Miuutiug  such 
a  woriu  as  Danid  and  Solomon,  we  hope  and  tmst  we  shall  bane  a  phioid  return 
fro"  onr  Worthies  npo~  whom  our  eyes  are:  So  we  remain  your  humble  and 
needy  Petitionera  and  Scruants— From  Waterbury  Anno  Domlid— 91,  October.  7. 
In  the  name  and  on  the  behalf  of  the  rest  of  our  inhabitants, 

John:  Hopkins  }  y^,^^^ 
Thomas  Judd  ) 

Under  tlie  greatest  diBConragements,  the  Waterbury  people 
went  on  with  their  enterprise  of  building  a  meeting  house ; 
hot  they  made  slow  progress.  It  was  a  serious  work,  and  they 

were  obliged  to  resort  to  various  expedients. 

Mmy  17  1694  y*  town  by  uoate  agree  to  use  or  knproue  j*  money  y*  now  Is  or 

here  after  shall  be  due  for  wibl  hor«eR  y»  arc  sould  in  y*  town — we  cay  to  improue 
it  for  y'  helping  build  y*  meeting  hous  and  to  stand  by  y*  ohcersy'  sell  them  and 
hereafter  to  a  low  thos     bring  in  Huch  horses  y*  one  half. 

The  wild  horses  referred  to  in  the  preceding  extract  were 
those  that  were  found  running  wild  without  known  owners, 
and  which  were  occasionally  caught  and  brought  in.* 

I  am  unable  to  say  when  the  new  meeting  house  was  finish- 
ed, or  so  far  finished  that  it  could  be  occupied ;  but  probably 
soon  after  the  date  of  the  town  action  concerning  wild  horses. 
It  stood  on  the  Green  in  finont  of  the  house  marked  on  the  map 
William  H.  Scorill,  now  owned  by  Dr.  P.  G.  Bockwell,  near 
the  spot  where  the  two  next  aueceeding  Congregational  houses 
were  placed.  It  was  a  small  bmlding  without  glass  or  gallery, 
suited  to  the  humble  circumstances  of  its  projectors.  It  had 
doors  upon  the  east,  west  and  south  sides,  three  in  all. 

Mr.  Peck  was  an  old  man  when  he  became  the  mini^tor  of 


*  Tka  law  rtqiiirad  that  •ttrj  horwtve  yMfi  aid  tbtM  be  Waadcd  with  Hw  town  nark  bjr 
tb«  town  bamdtr.  Theteaadtor  WatarbaiywasK.  Thoww  Jvdd,nBltli,waslh«ftnttMotd* 
■4  town  teaader. 

u 


Digitized  by  Google 


210 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBSBUBT* 


"NVaterlniry.  In  a  few  yt'sirt^,  liis  lic.nltli  ln-<iko  down,  aiul  lie 
was  unaljlo  to  preach.  lie  was  not  well  enough  to  olhciate 
in  baptism  as  early  as  June,  161>7.  Afterwards  a  minister 
was  hired ;  but  Mr.  Peck  coutiuued  the  pastor  till  his  death, 
Jnno  7th,  1G09,  at  the  age  of  77.  But  few  memorials  remain 
of  him  during  his  residence  in  Waterbuiy.  Appearanees, 
however,  indicate  that  ho  was  a  man  of  worth,  and  devoted 
to  his  people.  If  a  minister^B  8noe686  is  mojisnred  by  the  ad- 
ditions to  hi3  chiirch,  his  was  not  great.  There  were  but  few 
accesBione  during  his  life,  and  for  several  years  afterwards.  It 
was  a  time  of  embarrassment  and  distress,  as  already  related. 
The  peacefnl  virtues  of  religion  are  not  wont  to  prosper  when 
the  state  is  in  jeopardy  and  men  are  suffering  in  their  material 
interests.  As  a  general  rule,  it  is  not  tlie  tendency,  however 
much  it  should  be,  of  war  and  worldly  calamity,  of  sickness 
and  bodily  suffering,  to  improve  the  heart,  or  mend  the  life. 

Jeremiah  Peck,  according  to  Mather's  Magnalia,  was  grad- 
uated at  Harvard  College,  but  his  name  is  not  upon  the  gen- 
eral catalogue  of  1854.  He  was  in  Guilford,  either  preaching 
or  keeping  school,  in  1650,  (before  which  time,  no  trace  of 
bim  has  yet  been  ^und,)  and  married,  Kov.  12th  of  that  year, 
Johannah,  daughter  of  Mr.  Robert  Kitchell,  a  prominent  citi- 
zen of  Guilford,  (afterwards  of  Newark,  N.  J.)  His  son  Samuel 
was  bom  there  Jan.  18th,  1G50.  In  Jan.  1660,  he  was  invited 
to  take  charge  of  the  Collegiate  School  at  ^sew  Haven,  his 
father  being  at  the  time  one  of  the  trustees  and  the  business 
agent.  Tlie  following  is  an  extract  from  the  colonial  record 
of  Kcw  llaven : 

June  26  1660   It  wta  agreed  that  Mr.  Pedi  now  an  Gidlford  ahmild  ba  adiool- 

master  and  that  it  should  begin  in  October  next  when  his  half  jear  expires  there  ho 

if  to  kfop  the  Pcltool  to  toach  the  PvhnlarH  Latin  (^roek  and  Hohrow  nnd  fit  them 
for  tho  College  and  for  the  salary  he  knows  the  allowance  from  the  Colony  is  £40 

a  yviiT. 

Tliis  school  is  now  called  the  Hopkins  Grammar  School,  in 
consequence  of  the  bciiuest  of  Gov.  Hopkins.  ]jesides  the 
j640,  !Mr.  Peck  had  the  use  of  a  liouse  and  some  land.  He 
probably  began  to  teach  in  Oct.  1660,  and  continued  until  the 
middle  of  the  next  year.  May  '29th,  1661,  the  colonial  record 
of  New  Haven  aays,   Mr.  Peck  the  sclioolmaster  propounded 


HmOBT  or  WATBBBVTT. 


10  questions  about  tlie  school  which  the  Court  aiibwertd  and 
Air,  Peck  scL'incd  to  he  very  well  pleased." 

In  Seji.  IGGl,  Mr.  Peck  was  again  in  Guilford,  and  while 
there,  in  the  fall  of  IGGl,  received  an  invitation  to  }>reaeh  in 
Sayhrook.  lie  entered  into  an  agreement  with  the  Saybrook 
people,  Sep.  25th,  lOGl,  by  which  he  was  to  have  £100  settle- 
ment in  lands  in  fee  and  £55  in  a  house  and  lot,  the  last  to 
revert  to  the  town,  provided  he  removed  within  five  jcars.  He 
was  also  promised  a  salary  of  £60  per  annam,  two  firkins  of 
butter  to  go  towards  it,  the  rest  to  be  paid  in  com  and  fieah  at 
current  prices,  his  maintenance  to  be  increased  if  necessary. 

Some  have  supposed  that  Mr.  Feck  must  have  been  ordain- 
ed at  Saybrook.   Tlie  agreement  he  entered  into,  bis  £100 
settlement  and  his  building  a  house,  look  like  arrangements' 
for  a  permanent  residence,  and  render  the  supposition  plausible. 

After  a  time,  the  Saybrook  people  became  dissatisfied  with 
their  minister,  and  Mr.  Feck  addiessed  to  them  the  following 
communication : 

Anno  Domini  SS  ftb.  S 
Ratpeeted  and  Ioi4ng  flHendttbe  InhaMtanta  and  piuiterfl  of  Swbtofco  I  nnder> 

Btand  and  that  from  diren  [soarow]  thai  there  Is  nrach  Dimatisfaction  with 
Itt'foriMK'c  to  iii^  jselfc  in  i^sfRVt  of  my  procodinfr  in  tlio  Mini-^try  nt  loast  to  a  hot- 
tloment  and  that  there  arc  desires  in  many  to  provide  themselves  with  a  more 
able  Help:  I  do  freely  leave  myself  to  the  providence  of  God  and  the  Thoto  of  bb 
people:  and  lo  Ikr  aa  I  am  any  wayea  oonoerned  herein  I  doe  leave  the  Towne 
whoUy  to  thdr  owd  Liberty  to  prorlde  for  themselTee  aa  God  shall  direct :  and 
with  respect  to  layinfj  a*ido  the  future  Term  of  years  expressed  in  the  Covenant 
as  alfo  of  laying  me  ii>ide  from  un  Einployniont  of  ho  ^rroat  a  eoncernment  I  do 
desire  that  thct»e  Thiugt)  may  be  duly  coiutidervd  and  dealt  tenderly  in  that  I  may 
not  be  rendered  naeleas  in  flirth«raen^  for  God:  attto  I  am  unworthy  lobe hn* 
proved  so  I  am  yoora  In  what  I  nmy  as  God  ahaU  please  to  direct  and  enable. 

JniMiAB  Pick.* 

The  controversy  with  Mr.  Peck  was  settled  Jan.  80th,  1665, 
(1665-6,)  the  town  confirming  and  "  giving  him  full  possession 
of  his  accomodation."  He  appears  to  have  left  soon  after,  the 
town  purchasing  the  house  which  he  had  built,  for  his  suc- 
cessor, Mr.  Buckingham. 

In  1664,  Mr.  Feck  was  concerned  with  others  in  the  pur- 
chase of  the  Indians  of  a  lai^  tract  of  land  between  the  Rari- 
tan  and  Passaic  rivers  in  New  Jersey,  on  a  part  of  which  the 

•8IO«l*ltta«ntfy,V«LIII,  p.S<t,  Tal*  0allc|«  LArary. 


Digitized  by  Google 


212 


iUSTO&Y  OF  WATKIlBU&r. 


city  of  Elizabt'thtown  now  stands.  In  the  next  year,  1665,  the 
union  of  the  Connecticnt  and  New  Haven  colonies  took 
place.  Mr.  Peck  was  one  uf  those  win  >  perse veringly  opposed 
the  union.  A  party  of  dissatislied  })er!;ons,  eliietly  from  Bran- 
ford,  Guilford  and  Milford,  headed  hy  Mr.  Pearson,  determin- 
ed to  remove.  A  committee  was  r-ent  out  to  view  lands  on 
the  Passaic,  who  made  a  purchase  at  Newark.  A  ]>lantation 
covenant  was  entere<l  into  by  the  intended  emi£:;rants,  which 
was  "subscribed  from  time  to  time,  until  t)ie  rem<»val,  which 
happened  June  24,  1G67."  The  name  of  Pev.  Jeremiah  Peck, 
of  Guilford,  stands  fourth  on  the  list  of  subscril)ers, 

Mr.  Peck  removed  to  Newark  in  10C6  or  early  in  1<W^»T.  lie 
docs  not  appear  to  have  oiiiciated  regularly  as  a  minister  at 
Newark,  or  anywhere  in  New  Jersey.  In  1672,  he  and  others 
purchased  of  the  Indians  a  tract  of  land,  now  the  western  part 
of  the  town  of  Greenwich,  over  the  people  of  which  town  he 
was  invited  to  settle  as  a  minister.  He  declined  the  call,  but 
in  1678,  it  was  renewed,  and  he  accepted.  In  the  same  year, 
he  removed  to  Greenwich. 

In  consequence  of  Mr.  Peck's  poor  health,  the  Waterbniy  peo- 
ple obtained,  in  1698,  the  assistance  of  Eev.  John  Jones.  He 
preached  seven  sabbaths,  and  for  this  service  the  town  voted 
Kov.  14th,  1702,  that  lie  should  have  six  pounds,  to  be  raised 
hy  tax.  From  this  delay  of  payment,  we  may  infer  that  our 
ancestors,  whatever  other  virtues  they  may  have  had,  were  not 
prompt  in  discharging  debts. 

After  Mr.  Jones  left,  Bev.  John  Beed  preached,  for  a  time. 
His  performances  pleased  the  people,  and  as  Mr.  Peck  was 
not  expected  to  recover,  an  invitation  was  given  him  to  settle, 
as  appears  from  the  following  town  vote : 

Ttbmmry :  8:  1698-9  the  town  hauing  hy  u  couiitjr  giueu  Mr.  Jubu  R«ed  a  Call 
to  J*  worck  of  J*  minittrey  amongst  us  acsept  wluil  they  haue  don  in  It  and  do  now 
renew  our  call  to  him  in  order  to     worck  of  ye  nlnblrej  a  mmiget  ns 

Att  y"  name  meotiup  the  town  granted  to  y*  ministrcy  a  salary  of  50P  by  y* 
ycir  prouition  pay  and  lit}'  in  wootl  and  y*  use  of  pa.«nngo  lands  y^  town  for  >• 
incurageiueut  of  Mr  iohu  Heed  if  he  accept  prouiiii  to  giue  him  2or  ayeir  fur  too 
yeln  to  be  payd  In  labor  and  lil  ludd  deae  Jndd  Ens  Standi/  and  srg  branson 
waa  chosen  to  present  onr  |Mropoeab  to  a*  Mr.  Reed  and  treat  him  eonsndng  j* 
same 

Att  y*  Haine  incetinp  y«  town  jrrantod  to  y«  minister  y'  sliouM  .^t^tt  ll  and  he  an 
ordained  officer  in  y*  church  after  be  has  bin  ordained  too  jeird  y*  whole 


Digitized  by  Google 


JilSTO&Y  OF  WATEABUST. 


213 


of  yt  ^rcftt  lot  with  \«  proprieti  to  be  hte  own  and  to  build  him  »  hous 

'M',  or  3S  foots  long  and  19  foot  wide  [;]  build  two  chimblcys  from  y*  ground  a 

fliainlior  oliiinldey  [;]  mako  or  dif?  and  «ton  a  scllar  clabbord  y*  houa  and  Hhingol 
it  [;]  make  one  cud  uf  y*  hous  fit  to  hue  in  [;]  which  hoiu  Is  to  be  miniat«rs 
on  y*  same  conditions  y*  land  is 

On  the  15tli  of  May,  1001),  tlie  town  voted  to  give  live  acres 
of  upland  t(»  tlio  niiiiiatcr  tliat  should  settle,  and  July  10th, 
following,  renewed  the  call  which  had  been  given  to  Mr. 
lieed.  At  length,  Mr.  II.  declined  the  invitation,  thinking, 
prol)ably,  that  he  could  "  do  more  good "  somewhere  else, 
But  the  people  persevered,  Mr.  Peck  being  now  dead. 

Att  a  town  mooting  angnst:  81:  1699  deac  Thomas  Judd  was  cbosen  a  oommity 
to  indeviour  by  himself  and  j*  best  counsel!  he  can  take  to  get  one  to  help  us  in 
y*  won  k  of  \«  ininii^try  and  to  bring  a  man  amongst  US  upon  probation  in  order 

to  (ii  ttclliiiciit  it'  he  can 

Sep:  I'l'^:  1GUI>  Juhu  hopkios  wa«  choi^eu  a  comity  with  >c  Deac  for  getinga 
minister 

In  the  mean  time,  the  people  went  on  witli  their  enterprise 
of  building  a  houBC  for  "  y*  minister  yi  should  pettell." 
Tlie  old  one  had  been  given  to  Mr.  Peck,  and  a  new  clergy- 
man would  want  suitable  shelter.  A  committee,  consisting  of 
Deac.  Judd,  John  Hopkins  and  Benjamin  Panics  had  alrcadj 
been  appointed  to  superintend  the  work.  The  extracts  below 
refer  to  this  enteiprise : 

Kareh  lOd:  1699  [1696-9]  j*  town  granted  a  Bate  of     ony«  pound  for  Oarry* 

ing  on  y*  work  of  y*  ministers  hous  to  be  Raysd  on  y*  present  leauey  aesepted 
or  proiK'd  at  y*  last  October  court  in:  1*8:  each  man  to  do  proportion  in  worck  and 
he  y'  fayls  hauting  hit4  worck  appointed  or  called  to  woa'k  by  y«  commity  shall 
pay  in  prouition  pay  or    whUk  b  equeuiient 

lum  80d:  1699:  tiie  town  mad  ehoys  deac  tbomas  Judd  to  procure  nayls  for  y* 
dabord  and  shingling  y  ministers  hous  and  y  town  Ingag  to  pay  for  them  in 
money  or  y'  which  is  ef|uiiielt'nt  wlicri'  in-  byo3  them 

Att  y*  »ame  meeting  deac  Judd  Jolin  Hopkins  and  benjamin  barns  watt  chosen 
a  comity  for  y*  carrying  on  y*  worck  of  }•  ministers  houhto  y«  perfctiug  y*  worck 
y*  town  has  promised  to  do  to  It 

October:  12d:  1698:  y*  town  granted  a  Rate  of  a  haU^ney  on  y*  pound  to  be 
Rayed  on  y*  new  leuey  which  rate  is  to  be  payd  in  currant  siluer  money  or  y* 
which  is  equiuilent  bareing  its  own  ciiarg  to  y*  merkit  for  to  bye  na^ls  and  glass 
for  y*  ministers  hous* 


*  T  And  at  the  beginning  of  the  flrat  book  of  tovn  meeUngs  what  appear  to  be  copies  of  atttt* 
scription  papers  to  fumlab  in  part  tlic  taoani  to  pay  for  the  worV.  and  material*  for  tbe  mtnU* 
ter's  houw.  They  bear  ao  date,  but  they  doubtJeM  belong  to  the  time  of  wblch  I  un  writing, 
John  Brotajon,  Joseph  Illckos,  Bamtwl  Blekos  sod  Jolua  BootUI,  snfaMrnMrt,  ouut  hart 


Digitized  by  Google 


214 


mSTOBT  OF  WAISBBDBT. 


At  lii-st  it  was  proposc'<l  to  place  tlic  now  minister's  liouse  on 
the  house  lot  wliieli  had  beloii<j^e<l  to  John  Carriiii^ton,  deceiis- 
ed,  now  owned  byGrei'n  Kendrick,  and  to  exclian;,'e  tor  it  the 
h>t  in  tlie  rear  <>f  Stc*}>hen  Upson's  Imuse  h»t.  Afterwards,, 
liowever,  it  was  decided  to  set  it  on  tlie  "  great  lot,"  so  called, 
which  is  now  the  corner  of  West  Main  and  AVillow  street  r 
owned  and  occu})ied  by  Mi's.  And)rose  Ives.  The  following 
vote,  relating  to  tLis  subjecty  was  passed  April  lOtii,  1609 : 

[The  town  agreed  toj  take  of  [oif]  )*  obligation  y*  was  Ujcd  on  y*  hom  lot 
•t  J*  weit  end  of  y*  town  lying  by  Robnrd  Scotta  bout  lot  nnd  gine  y*  ad  lot  to 
y*  minister  elotment  end  set  y«  sinister  on  it. 

I  know  not  what  the  obligation  \va.->  which  is  refcrrt  d  to  in 
this  vote,  unless  the  lot  spoken  of  liad  previoubly  belonged  to 
the  school  propriety. 


been  the  ton*  ef  the  orl^nnl  proprktnr*  of  the  aaBMDMBe.  PofsMj  the  «nt>*rrl|>ttoivs  for  glass 
»nd  nail*  majr  hare  been  rendered  unnecessary  and  ToM  hy  the  half  peony  tax.  The  names  oa 
It  art  »ot  wo wdf  Ihcih  Uwaa  on  the  Hwr  nw^  (wtth  tke  csecpAlen  off  Obndlah  Bldmrdi  nnd 


isriel  ricbason  hiilf  a  bushiU 


UvnW  St.inOly  half  a  bashlll 
Berg  bruuion  half  a  busbUl 
ImM  rMMMOB  MM  peek 

dpRC  Jutid  one  boshlll 
John  scouell  half  a  busbiU 

Krislk'n  Stantlly  hrtlf  a  bushUI 
Ibo  waracr  half  a  bushill 
John  w^toohatf  aboMH 

miD.  hikrox  hiilf  a  bushlR 
Joseph  hikc  jx  half  a  bu.xhitl 


obadlab  ricbardi  half  a 
wm  bikcoxhaU  abiubill 
tagMlo  WMMT  heir  e  taiMU 
John  welten  half  n  hoahUI  [allecet  !• 

busbell] 

letphon  abooB  hnlff  n  boohdl  (allerod  t« 
buihdl) 


Wheat  for  nayles  nmi  K'ntit  to  QnUh  ye  luinistcr.H  hou^ 


John  Richards  one  bush  111 
obadlab  rlchards  half  a  boa 
ensifn  Stand ly  half  n  bna 
LeRJiadd  half  a  bosi 
serf  bmnsoa  half  a  hauhUl 


John  bnin»OD  half  a  bu«a 
John  hopktau  half  a  bosh 

jprernlah  peck 

John  ifcoueU  half  a  bualiUl 


Digitized  by  Google 


HISTOMT  OF  WATBBBITBT. 


215 


CHAPXEli  XIV. 


ECCLESIASTICAL  AFFAIRS:  MS.  80UTHHATD*S  HINISTET. 

The  committee  chosen  to  procure  a  minister,  after  Mr. 
Keed  left,  were  saccessfuL  They  obtained  Mr.  John  South- 
mayd  of  Middletown.  As  early  as  November  2d,  1609,  he 
had  satisfied  the  people  of  Waterbuiy  that  he  was  the  man 
for  them.  He  was  not  yet  prepared  for  a  settlement,  but  he 
continoed  to  preach.  He  receired  several  invitations  before 
he  yielded  to  the  solicitations  of  the  people.  The  progress  of 
the  negotiations  is  explained  by  the  extracts  below.  The  pro- 
vision made  for  his  support  may  also  be  seen: 

Koaembr:  2d:  16S9:  y*  town  mad  choje  of  Left  thomiis  Judd  Eiuign  ttmo. 

StaiKlIy  deac  thonia?  Judil  srg  Isaac  hnmson  John  liopkins  a  commlty  to  treat 
[with]  mr.  John  southnicjit  fiir«hT  in  onh-r  to  y'  worck  of  y"  iniiiHtrey  •  mong^'t  us 
and  fur  his  incurageiucnt  iu  order  to  hin  t(cttcUni<.>nt  amongst  u.h  in  y*  worck  of  }* 
mlidstrey  to  ofor  him  what  j*  town  haue  granted  to  y*  miimtrey 

Att  J*  lame  meeting  j*  town  granted  toy*  mintetrej  40  pounds  in  laboor  with 
what  is  dun  a1  ready  for  fencing  and  deandng  y*  hon>  lot  and  Other  lands  for  y* 
adoantag  of  y*  minister  y*  shal  .-^ettoll  amongj^t  w* 

December:  18d:  1099  y*  Town  granted  to  uir.  Jo!in  sonthnieat  lor  his  worck  in 
y*  ministrej  amongst  ua  for  what  we  baue  hud  and  if  he  continue  amongst  u.s  till 
7*  first  of  march  next  a  rate  of  too  peno  on  y*  pound  according  to  our  gran  leney 
and  grain  to  pay  to  him  wheat  at  68  pr  booahiU  Ry  at  3a  indian  com  Sa  6d  poorck 
8d  pr  pound  hccff  at  2d  *  pr  pound  all  to  be  good  and  merchantable 

Inn:  2  Id:  ITmt  Whern.s  y<»  town  hauing  had  sum  taste  of  inr.  southmeets  niinb- 
trey  declare  them^dves  aatiittied  and  are  willing  to  acsept  him  as  tbejrr  nilai«ter  to 
despene  y*  word  of  god  amongst  them  and  desire  y*  y*  drarcfa  In  due  season 
sbottld  settell  him  in  gosple  order  amongst  them 

Spt:  S3:  1701  samll  hikcox  and  wiUyam  hikcox  was  chosen  a  commity  for  to 
gather  '2'>P  granted  to  \*  niinistrey  in  worck  out  of  which  by  y*  town  order 
they  are  to  nmcke  u  well  fur  inr.  soiithniaid  and  any  KofiiHt'ing  to  «lo  his  propor- 
tion when  cal  there  to  by  thi^  act  ye  town  impour  y*  commity  to  distrain  y*  es- 
tate of  such  persons  for  y*  payment  of  his  Just  dne  they  giucing  men  ssaaonable 
woming 

Syt  y«:  15: — 170S  y*  town  granted  mr.  Southmaid  his  houa  and  lands  and  pro> 
priaty  in  lands  to  be  his  own  when  he  is  an  ordained  officer  in  >•  cliurch  here 
onely  on  these  conditions  y*  if  he  leafe  y*  town  before     too  yeira  are  out  after 


Digitized  by  Google 


216 


HISTOBY  OF  WATEKBUBY. 


his  ordination  then  to  return  to  y*  town  again  but  if  he  dy  here  in  y*  time  to  be 

hln  heirs. 

Oftiilir  \^  7"*:  ]Tti:i  Si-rir  I/aac  brunson  tlioinns  Ju  ld  iim'"  ami  Eilnian  Scott 
was  cho^eti  to  prouide  what  was  nt'odtiil  for  y*  cutfitaii»in<r  \*  elders  and  iiiescn" 
gere  for  y*  nrdainiog  Mr  SoutlmuiiU  [  *  *  ]  they  [toj  keep  a  fayr  accouut  of  it 
and  glue  it  to  y*  townsmen  that  it  may  be  payd  in  y«  town  Ratt 

Karly  in  1704,  there  was  iinniistakable  evidence  tliat  Mr. 
Soiitliriiayd  was  about  to  yield  to  the  importunities  of  his  peo- 
ple and  consent  to  be  ordained.  Five  pounds  had  been 
granted  hira  in  speci,"  in  addition  to  the  salary  which  had 
been  oflFered  him ;  but  now  it  was  ordered  tliat  the  vote 
which  gavo  the  Hve  poimdfi  addition  should  "be  canscled,*'  (a 
vote  was  canceled  by  crossing  it  with  a  pen,)  and,  at  Mr. 
Southmayd's  suggestion,  that  ten  pounds  should  be  given  him 
in  labor,  "  to  be  payd  according  to  men's  gran  leauej  annual- 
ly/' Benjamin  Barnes,  Sen.,  and  Stephen  Upson,  Sen.,  were 
added  to  the  committee  for  "treating  with  mr.  8oathmaid«" 

ICarch:  ID"* — 1704  y  town  de»ired  their  commity  chosen  to  treat  mr.  .xouth- 
maid  for  a  aetteUment  amongst  us  in  ghosple  order  to  proceed  to  obtaine  an  orA- 
nation  of  mr.  eouthmaid  as  soon  as  may  be  with  ctmneniencie 

^Ir.  Southiuayd  was  at  last  settled  over  a  church  of  twelve 
male  members  and  the  people  of  the  town.  Dr.  Trunibnll 
gives,  as  the  date  of  his  ordination,  May  J  2th,  1705,  which  is 
presumed  to  be  correct.  "Why  the  ceremony  was  delayed  so 
long  may  be  perhaps  conjectured.  The  truth  is,  Watorbury, 
at  that  time,  was  not  a  veiy  inviting  field  of  labor.  Tlie  peo- 
ple were  few  in  number  and  poor.  Some  of  their  best  men  had 
died.  Otliers  had  run  away.  They  had  not  yet  recovered 
from  the  efiiects  of  the  great  flood.  They  were  upon  the  bor- 
ders of  civilization  and  in  the  midst  of  an  Indian  war.  A 
gloom  had  settled  over  the  prospects  of  the  town.  No  wonder 
a  yonng  minister  should  hesitate  and  procrastinate.  Besides, 
pastors,  in  those  days,  were  '^settled  for  life,"  or  something  ap- 
proaching it  They  were  not  permitted  to  indulge  in  roving 
habits,  or  to  seek  frequently  other  and  wider"  (more  con- 
spicuous ?)  fields  of  labor.  They  did  not  consider  diemselvea 
at  liberty  to  leave  their  flocks  except  for  weighty  reasons. 

Mr.  Southmayd  was  settled  on  a  salary  of  £50  in  provision 
and  £10  in  labor,  the  same  which  was  paid  Mr,  Peck  and  offered 


Digitized  by  Google 


HXSTOiKT  OF  WATEBBUBT, 


217 


to  Mr.  Keed,  cxcej^t  the  fii^st  ministers  M'cre  to  have  wood  in- 
stead of  hibor.  This  may  seem  but  a  small  sahirj,  in  the  eyes 
of  the  present  generation  ;  but  tlie  trutli  is,  in  consideratiou  of 
the  times  and  the  circumBtances,  it  was  a  large  sum.  Few  peo- 
ple can  boast  of  having  made  greater  sacrifices  for  the  support 
of  a  regular  ministry  than  the  earlj  inhabitants  of  Waterbury. 
In  tlie  midst  of  their  cahimities,  numbering  only  about  thirty 
families,  they  settled  Mr.  Peck,  gave  him  a  house,  provided 
for  his  support,  erected  a  meeting-house  and  asccnnd  dwell- 
ing-bouse for  his  successor,  made  proyision  for  Mr.  South- 
mayd^s  maintenance,  gave  him  £40  in  labor  to  fence  and  clear 
his  home  lot,  dsc,  and  a  £20  "  ratt  in  worek,"  besides  con- 
tributing many  "extras'*  not  easy  to  enumerate,  all  in  the 
space  of  a  few  yean ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  eztnu>rdinary 
expenses  were  incurred  for  building  forts,  maintaining  scouts 
and  looking  afller  the  enemy.  I  doubt  if  the  people  of  the 
present  day  would  as  patiently  submit  to  equal  privations  to 
secure  the  benefits  of  religions  teaching. 

A  modification  was  made,  by  the  agreement  of  the  parties, 
in  Mr.  Sonthmayd's  salary,  Dec  14,  1710,  and  the  prices 
which  provisions  were  to  bear  were  fixed,  as  appears  by  the 
following  town  action : 

The  town  ablig  thcmsolus  to  pay  mr.  w>iu}iiuiii(l  ton  pound  in  wood  at  S.■^  por 
cord  and  fifley  jWuntlH  in  pronison  ])ity:  :  nU  [viz]  wliet  fine  hhilingg  pr  \msv\  ry  at 
3a  per  btuel  indian  corn  at  two  bhiliugs  nix  peuji  per  l>c8el:  porke  at  three  |K>ud  per 
pound  an  to  be  good  and  narehantabul:  befe  and  flaxe  and  other  pay  to  be  at  a 
priae  aa  nr  aouthmaid  and  the  party  eonaarnd  ahal  agre: :  alao  mr  aonthmad  ahal 
not  bo  abligd  to  take  abouo  one  thurd  part  of  hU  rat  in  Indian  corn  uud  if  uny 
man  «e  cauM  to  pay  nny  part  of  [the]  rat  In  niony  it  Hhal  he  acsoptod  »t  two  tUirds: 

Ech  man  id  hereby  obliged  to  pay  h'u  rat  yerly  by  the  furst  of  febrywary 

[SauM  iUbei]  that  artical  too  thurda  in  mony  to  be  of  no  fors:  but  other  ways  as 
the  party  eonaard  and  mr  aonthmayd  ahal  agre 

Jan.  9,  lYlS-19  It  waa  agreed  tliat  the  Inini^tery  rate  t^hall  be  sixty  pound  in 
mony  for  the  yeare  1718  and  if  any  pay  in  prouison  it  shall  be  excepted  at  follow- 
inj;  prise'*  wlu-at  at  six  shliUng-*  ry  at  foure  .><hinit)^'s  itif,Mm  eorn  at  three  shillin;:^ 
and  sixpence  a  biuhuU  to  be  niarchautabul  poric  at  '6  pence  a  pound  flax  ateaiglit 
pence  a  ponnd 

In  1720,  tlie  minister  was  to  have  "  £G0  as  money,"  wheat 
at  OS.,  rve  at  3s.,  corn  at  2<.  Od.,  and  ten  pounds  in  wood,  at 
half  a  crown  a  load  fur  oak  and  three  shillings  for  walnut. 
Said  sixty  pound  shall  be  paid  or  they  [the  town]  will  do 


Digitized  by  Google 


218 


mSTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBY. 


theire  eii<leaner  that  it  bhall  be  paid  by  laarcli  next  iiisuing 
the  date  hcaro  of," 

Mr.  Soutliniayd'8  salary,  in  1721),  m'iis  raised  to  "bevt'iity 
livo  pounds  in  nionoy,''  one  seventh  or  eig-hth  part  o{'  it,  it"  de- 
livcivd  by  the  middle  of  January,  to  be  received  in  wo^hJ,  at 
such  price  as  the  parties  might  agree  on.  In  17.'><>,  it  was 
raised  to  "the  just  sum  of  one  Imndred  ixmnds  in  current 
money  of  Xew  Enghmd."*  In  1733,  the  town,  after  having 
at  fii*st  refused  to  pay  more  than  £80,  agreed  to  give  £90 
money,  wheat  at  8s.,  rye  at  53.  6d.,  Indian  corn  at  4s.,  pork  at 
Gd.  per  pound  for  that  weighing  two  hundred  pounds  and  forty- 
seven  shillings  per  lumdred  for  tliat  weighing  less.  Daring  the 
remainder  of  Mr.  South mayd's  ministry,  the  salary  varied  from 
ninety  to  one  hoodred  pounds. 

In  1 738,  in  consequence  of  declining  health,  Mr.  Southmayd 
asked  for  a  dismisuoii  from  his  people.  The  following  com- 
rauDication,  expressing  his  desires,  was  laid  before  the  town  in 
town  meeting: 

To  the  Dmoom  and  Townnneii  In  Wateilinrjr  to  commnnlcate  to  tbe  Cbnroh 

and  Inhabitants  of  td  Town. 

1{<-H)ved  Brt'tlircn  and  Nci^'lihors  I  the  Puli.Hcrilicr  bi'5ng  iindor  prcat  Difficulty 
anil  Intirniity  of  Hudy  ami  it  Itriiig  such  sm  I  fear  Will  never  wear  «fl",  hut  In- 
crease and  Grow  upon  uic,  niukes  my  Care  and  Concern  very  Burlben««ouic  and 
DbtKMlng  So  that  the  pabUcke  woric  I  am  engaged  b  b  too  mach  for  me  and 
having  aerred  jon  under  Tery  great  difficulty  now  ahnost  two  yean  and  being 
Quite  dcscouraged  as  to  getting  well  and  finding  that  a  sedentary  life  is  very  De- 
Btructive  to  my  health  and  b(  it!<^  very  far  advanced  in  years  and  willinfj  and 
dciiiroua  to  Ketire  from  my  Tublick  work  In  the  miuitftry  In  which  I  have  been 
with  you  About  88  yean  to  the  beat  of  my  Ability  and  am  now  Dedrona  to 
Live  more  privatdy,  I  tal^e  tliia  opportunity  for  thoM  reaaona  and  many  more 
which  might  be  mentioned  to  aignify  to  you  that  I  am  willing  and  heartfly  De. 
sirous  that  you  would  pet  some  Hfr^on  can  affect  and  pitch  upon  to  come  amonpf 
you  to  preach  tlie  (lospcl  here  and  to  Be  with  you  in  order  to  a  Settlement  as 
soon  a^  cuaveuieutly  may  be  In  the  work  of  the  uiiaidtry  and  I  de::<irc  you  would 
lie  aa  Speedy  In  the  thbg  aa  may  be  for  I  thinlc  I  cannot  aenre  you  any  Longer, 
which  Request  I  hope  you  will  be  moat  Beady  and  fdvward  to  comply  with  and 
oblige  your  friend  and  DiBtre8scd  minii^ter,  who  Sincerely  Derires  your  welfitfe 
and  prosperity  both  Rpirituul  and  temporal  and  bis  own  eaw  and  frecdome. 
Desiring  the  continuance  of  your  prayers  for  mo  I  subscribe  niy  Self  your  wcU 
wisher  John  SouTHiLaTi). 


•  In  1731,  Mr.  S-mtlimayil  cnvp  a  writing,  dated  Dec.  2<5th,  which  Is  r«cor<le<1,  by  wMch,  bl 
Tlew  of  tbe  bardeos  of  Uic  town,  he  agreed  to  "  acquit  and  discharge  the  town  from  all  the  ntm 
mat  ware  gramlsd,  dush  ewlBf  aud  pajrabis  le  [htaiflBr  hit]  taboeraaMOf  ikcmnroBlke  jsar 
IM 10  lb*  y«ar  im,"  laOlatlvt. 


Digitized  by  Google 


mSIOBT  Of  WATKRBDBT. 


In  reply,  the  town  voted  to  call  another  minister,  hut  ex- 
pressed a  wish  that  Mr.  Southniayd  might  continue  to  ofliciate 

as  fiir  as  he  should  be  able/'  At  the  same  time,  a  commit- 
tee was  appointed,  consisting  of  Mr.  Isaac  Bronson,  Dea.  Joseph 
Lewis  and  Thomas  Clark,  call  a  minister  to  preach  the 
Gospel  in  order  to  a  settlement."  In  this  proceeding,  however, 
they  were  required  to  "  take  the  advice  of  the  Rey.  Mr.  South- 
mayd  and  neighboring  elders  of  the  County,  and  proceed  ac- 
cordingly." On  the  fonrth  of  September  following,  they  were 
instmcted  "to  apply  themselyee  to  the  Beyerend  Mr.  Saml. 
Whittlesey,  Mr.  Joseph  Noyea,  Mr.  Samuel  Hall  and  Mr.  Isaac 
Stiles  for  direction  as  to  a  suitable  person  to  be  applied  to." 

There  are  no  facts  to  show  at  what  time  Mr.  Southmayd's 
official  connection  with  the  town  was  dissolyed ;  but  it  ap- 
pears to  have  been  soon  after  his  communication  requesting 
a  dismission,  and  before  Sept  4,  1788.  He  had  an  unset- 
tled claim  against  the  town.  Some  question  regarding  this 
wassnbmitted  to  "the  Association  conyened  at  Meridenin 
TVallingford  in  May,"  (1738.)  In  pursuance  of  a  recommen- 
dation by  this  body,  Mr.  Southmayd  made  a  proposal  (Sept.  4, 
1738)  for  a  settlement  of  his  claim.  He  proposed  that  the 
town  should  pay  him  one  hundred  pounds  in  money  on  or  be- 
fore the  first  of  March,  1740,  "  separate  from  any  other  grant 
already  made,"  and  that  he  should  liave  the  use  of  the  little 
pasture  during  his  life.  If  this  offer  was  rejected,  he  express- 
ed a  willin<;ness  to  buUinit  the  question  "to  some  indilicn  nt 
persons  to  say  what  is  just  aud  reuaonablo  to  be  done,  [ticc.]  and 
abide  ])y  their  judgment." 

The  town  decided,  "  by  a  full  vote,"  to  pay  the  one  hun- 
dred pounds.  BL-foro,  however,  the  money  became  due,  or  in 
January,  1740,  certain  i)ersons,  "calling  themselves  chnrcli- 
men,''  remonstrated  against  paying  it.  Thib  remonstrance  was 
si^^ned  bv  tifteen  individuals. 

Thus  was  commenced,  in  an  open  form,  a  controversy  be- 
tween the  friends  of  Congregationalism  and  Kj)iscopacy  in 
Waterbury,  and  which  ended,  ere  long,  in  confusion  and  dis- 
memberment. So  determined  was  the  oj>position  to  tlie  one 
hundred  pound  vote  that  Mr.  Southmayd  did  not  iudist  on  liis 


Digitized  by  Google 


220 


BUTOBY  OF  WATEBBdBY. 


legal  rights,  and  tlie  inont'v  was  never  paid.  He,  however, 
retained  the  use  of  the  "little  pasture." 

Kev.  John  Southinavd  <Maduatcd  at  Harvard  Colleire  in 
1607.  Little  is  known  of  him  before  he  came  to  Waterljurv. 
There  is  an  anecdote,  however,  of  his  college  life,  which  used 
to  be  related  by  the  late  Professor  Hedge  of  Harvard.  It  runs 
thus: — Southmajd  prepared  a  chair  Mliich  was  so  constructed 
that  when  an  iinsnspecting  person  sat  down  in  it,  it  suddenly 
gave  way.  .When  the  Fresliman  class  was  entered,  he  would 
invite  them,  one  at  a  time,  to  his  room,  (where  his  fellows  had 
gathered,)  and  otier  them  the  treacherous  chair.  All  but  the 
discomlited  freshmen  of  course  enjoyed  tlie  laugh.  In  the 
same  class  with  Southmayd  there  was  one  by  the  name  of 
Beed  who  was  mischieyous,  and  one  Collins  who  was  dissolute. 
A  wag,  to  liit  off  the  three,  composed  some  lines  ^idi  ran 
thns: — 

BiMiM  u  the  man  who  hath  not  lent 

To  wicked  Reed  his  ear, 
Nor  spent  his  life  as  ColHn?!  hath, 
Nor  sat  in  Southmayd's  cliair.* 

Mr.  Southmayd  was  chosen  town  and  proprietors'  clerk  in 

Dec.  1721,  and  was  continued  in  the  office  till  his  death,  thirty- 
five  years,  lie  wrote  a  round,  ]>lain,  and  in  earlier  lift-,  an  ele- 
gant hand,  contrasting  pleasantly  with  the  execrable  ehirogra- 
phy  of  some  of  his  |)redecessors.  Its  jet-black  characters  still 
look  fresh.  All  wh*  >  have  occasion  to  consult  the  rec(»rds,  must 
have  their  lieart^i  drawn  out  in  aUcction  for  the  accomplished 
clerk. 

Soon  after  Mr.  vSoutliniayd*s  disnnssion  from  his  pastoral 
charge,  or  in  17-il,  he  was  appointed  a  justice  of  the  j)eace.  He 
was  again  appointed  in  1747,  and  held  the  office  till  his  death. 
He  was  a  justice  of  the  quorum  from  1742  to  1746  inclusive, 
and  a  deputy  to  the  General  Court  from  1740  to  1744  inclu- 
sive, and  again  in  1754.  He  was  much  respected,  and  occu- 
pied a  large  space  in  the  history  of  the  town  of  his  adoption. 
Intelligent  and  judicious,  his  fellow  townsmen  honored  him 
and  deferred  to  him.  They  gave  him  many  testimonials  (such 


*  MaaoMript  Idler  fkwoiBev.  Danl«lB.8oattiaiajd,  OoMoriy  M.  B.  IM. 


Digitized  by  Googl 


HISTOBT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


221 


as  they  Imd  to  bestow)  of  their  contidence  and  esteem.  His 
honorable  decent,  at  a  time  when  family  was  of  more  account 
than  at  present,  assisted  to  give  him  character.  He  was  one 
of  the  largest  landholders  of  the  town,  having  become  so  bj 
purchase  as  well  as  hj  division.  His  patrimonial  estate  was 
large.  As  an  evidence  of  hisextraordinaiy  wealth,  it  is  stated 
that  he  brought  from  Middletown,  after  his  Other's  death,  fifty 
pounds  in  gold  and  silver — a  sum  which,  had  it  been  laid  out 
in  the  purchase  of  the  best  lands  of  the  plantation,  at  the  low 
price  then  current,  would,  it  was  thought,  have  proved  ruin- 
ous to  the  town,  hy  giving  the  owner  almost  a  monopoly  of 
the  soil.* 

John  Southmajd  died  Kov.  14,  1755,  aged  seventy-nine 
years  and  three  months,  outliving  all  his  children  except 
Esther,  and  all  the  original  proprietors,  so  called.  He  made 
a  will  appointing  Rev.  Mark  Leavenworth  his  executor.  He 

names,  as  his  legatees,  Esther  Starr,  Susanna  Bronson's  children, 
Anna  Brouson,  and  his  two  daughters-in-law,  "Meliscent  Judd, 
my  son  John's  wife  that  was,  and  Hannah  Southmayd,  niy  son 
DaniL'Ts  widow.''  lie  ^ave  £4:0  to  tlie  lirst  chiireli  of  Water- 
hiirv,  "  to  be  ordered  aiul  tlispoijed  of  l)y  the  pastor  and  dea- 
cons of  said  church  in  what  way  and  method  they  shall  think 
])roj>er  and  beat."  His  slaved  ho  disposed  of  in  the  following 
manner : — 

4.  My  negro  nun  Suupwm  and  my  negro  Giri  flUIi*  if  they  be  fiiitlifyil,  careful 
and  industrious  tn  helping  to  bring  np  my  Grand  children^  William,  Samuel,  Anna, 

John  and  Daniel  Sontlminyd,  till  tlio  younpcst  he  twelve  years  of  ope,  tlien  tliey 
may  be  free  and  live  with  any  of  niy  children  they  shall  clioosse,  or  any  other 
person,  and  if  they  live  witli  any  of  mine,  and  should  lire  to  be  a  charge  the 
charge  to  be  lerled  oat  of  my  eetate,  except  it  ahovld  appear  that  those  they  hare 
lived  with  haTe  been  conridwably  profited  by  them. 

The  inventory  of  Mr.  Southniayd's  estate  amounted  to 
£1,91)7,  Us.  8d/  Tlie  homestead  was  valued  at  £133,  6s.  8d.  ; 
library  at  £0,  6s.  4d. ;  $250  propriety  at  £12,  10s. ;  2  brown 
cows,  £4,  16s.  8d. ;  1  youn«;  bay  horse,  £o,  16s.  8d. ;  12  bushels 
rje,  £ly  14s.  Od. ;  4  bushels  Indian  corn,  £0,  Cs.  8d. ;  8  bushels 

oats,  £0f  6s.  8d. ;  18  sheep,  £3 ;  Sampson  and  Fhillis'  time 


•  Maaoicripta  of  B.  BrooNB. 


Digitized  by  Google 


222 


mBTOBT  OF  WATEBBU&T. 


"daring  the  time  of  the  will,''  £40.  He  owned  in  all  S18 
acres  of  land,  appraised  at  £1,4:71,  3s.  Id.  The  standard  of 
valne  appears  to  have  been  lawful  currency,  whicli,  at  this 
period,  wm  at  least  eight  times  more  valuable  thaa  old  teuor 
currency. 

Several  alterations  and  iniprovcmcnts  of  the  meeting  house 
were  made  during  Mr.  Soutliniayd's  ministry,  for  the  better 
accommodation  and  the  increasing  number  of  the  people. 

[Dee.  18,  1708]  the  town  grtoted  to  eeiienl  of  the  joiing  men  liberQr  to  biil^ 
a  Hmall  aefti  or  galerly  in  the  meeting  lioas  for  tliemwl&  to  rit  in  it  not  [to]  pmg- 

odish  the  town  or  hous 

[At  tlio  saiiu'  iiu't'tin*;  the]  town  agree  there  should  he  a  beni  put  ap  for  A  gtl' 
Icry  at  the  wcbt  eud  ol  the  uieeting  houB  upon  the  town  charg 

Febry  1:  Vl06-9t  the  town  grant  Bbntej  to  mr.  Soutbmayd  to  alter  and  inlarg 
the  aet:  at  the  weat  end  of  the  pulpit: 

[Dec.  14,  1718]  the  town  agreed  that  there  ahal  be  a  galery  bolt  at  won  end 
of  the  meeting  hou5:  and  that  the  dors  and  windows  ho  repaired 

October  the  26 — 1715  the  Town  Grautcd  a  rate  of  halt"  apt-ay  on  the  pound  an 
mony  for  to  purches  gUusa*  for  the  meeting  boua  and  the  ouer  pluii  for  furder 
repairing  of  aaid  boos 

■  March      1716  it  was  acted  by  uoat  that  there  shold  be  ateeo  [a  ten]  pound 

rate  niiidi'  out*'  to  he  lade  out  about  the  galliry  of  the  meeting  hous  and  the  sd 
rate  is  to  In-  p.iid  in  pnmition  pay,  wheat  at  4  Hhilling  per  boshill  and  rio  at  too 
atitl  eight  |>unce  pr  booMhill  indeu  coru  at  2  shilUugs  and  flax  suuea  pcuc  pr 
pound 

Deiembr  the  19  (1716  at  the  same  meeting  it  was  acted  by  noate  to  by  the 
foundation  of  the  galiries  of  the  meeting  hona  that  ia  aH  tluee  aidca  of  the  sd 

meeting  hous 

Dec  1»>,  1718,  "agreed  by  note  to  giue  to  jeroniiali  peek  6fleen  pound  for  what 
work  he  has  dun  to  tlie  meeting  hous  alrady  and  only  further  he  is  to  finish  the 
ataire  and  maeke  four  window  framea  for  the  aame  money 

As  the  result  >»f  these  movements,  it  appears  that  a  gallery 
was  put  up  at  the  west  end  of  the  niecting  house  for  the  pur- 
pose of  making  more  seatt?,  j)articularly  for  "  the  young  men;'* 
that  the  liousc  Wcas  adorned  with  glass  windows ;  that  the  doors 
were  repaired  and  the  building  generally  remodeled  (in  mod- 
em phrase)  to  suit  it  to  tlie  improved  tastes  of  the  times.  All 
this  seems  to  have  been  done  at  an  expense  to  the  town  of 
fifteen  pounds,  Jeremiah  Peck  being  the  carpenter  or  con- 
tractor. 


*  Dp  to  thU  time,  the  hoast  appears  to  hare  been  onglaicd.  The  glass  o(  these  4ajs  was 
dtsmoud  tbaped. 


Digitized  by  Google 


BISTOBY  OF  WATERBUBT. 


223 


Tlie  liouse  now  liad  additional  seats,  and  it  was  found  ex}>c- 
dient  tliat  it  should  l)c  newly  seated.  It  was  eustoniary  with 
our  lathers  to  go  througli  witli  this  t'orniality  pcriotlically,  even 
in  the  ahsence  of  speeial  oceasions  like  the  present.  The  iirst 
seating  of  whieh  tliere  is  a  record  was  in  1702.  Atsucli  times, 
the  seats  were  all  classitie*!,  antl  each  ])ers(>irs  place  assigned 
him  according  to  the  rule  of  rank  whieh  had  been  agreed 
•  upon.  Hank  was  determined  partly  hy  age  and  partly  by  list  or 
taxable  estate.  The  following  extracts  fntni  the  record  of  town 
nuH'tiiigs  show  the  nature  of  the  proceedings  on  thiia  subject, 
after  tlio  alteration  and  repairs  had  been  made. 

December  14  1719  tt  wu  agreed  by  note  that  the  meatlng  hmis  ahoold  be  aeat- 
ed  and  the  rule  to  do  it  bj  ahall  be  by  liat  of  estate  and  by  age  reaeoning  ooe 

yearc  in  age  tO  foorc  pound  of  estate 
At  the  fiamo  mooting  thnro  wn-^  choaen  for  oomity  to  aeatethe  meatanghoua  cap 

Judd  It'fl  lio])kiiiH  d(M:ter  porter 

December  28  1719  it  was  agreed  by  uotc  that  the  forehorto  scate  in  the  gallery 
ahall  be  deemed  eaqjoall  [In  rank]  with  ihe  piller  or  2  [nd]  seate  below,  that  la  to 
aay  the  S  long  8eat[B]  from  the  vpipm  end 

At  the  same  tneating  the  above  written  ad  to  made  voide  by  pairing  a  note  that 
the  short  foate  in  the  pullcry  shall  be  eaquall  or  next  to  the  short  scute  below 

At  the  t«au)C  meating  there  was  cho^au  by  uotc  euM  hikcox  jo.><eph  lewiii  iitephen 
nbaon  Jnr  William  Jadd  to  in  [the]  fore  abort  aeate  in  the  gallerre  for  the  yeare 
inadng:  and  to  taeke  theiro  toma  yeariy  out  of  the  fonre  flrrt  aeatea 

But  the  people  were  not  long  satisfied  wirh  the  old  meeting, 
house,  notwithstanding  the  improvements  which  had  been 
made.  A  new,  and  it  may  he,  fcuter^  generation  had  come 
on  the  stage.  The  old  building  was  found  to  be  too  small, 
and  otherwise  inconTenient.  It  was  antiquated  in  style,  and 
an  eyesore,  doubtless,  to  the  "young  men."  The  matter  was 
brought  up  in  town  meeting,  and  a  rote  was  passed,  Jan.  7th, 
1722-3,  "  that  we  will  Go  about  building  a  Meeting  house  as 
soon  as  we  are  able,  and  that  we  will  bnild  it  upon  tlie 
Green."  It  was  also  agreed  to  apply  "  to  the  Genexal  Court 
in  Hay  next  to  Get  a  tax  on  all  the  Land  laid  out  within  the 
Town  Bounds,  and  the  money  to  be  Disposed  of  to  the  build- 
ing of  a  meeting  house." 

Though  Waterbury  had  now  started  on  the  career  of  "  prog- 
ress," its  advances  were  yet  small.  The  people  had  not  re- 
covered from  the  dire  calamities  of  former  days.    Tliey  were 


Digitized  by  Google 


224 


BII»TO£Y  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


Still  poor — ont  at  the  elbows;  and  the  thought  of  new  en- 
terprises disconraged  them,  (at  least  the  more  prudent  of 
them.)  At  the  next  meetini^,  therefore,  a  disposition  was 
evinced  to  l>e  content  with  present  accommodations  and  sncli 
iinpntveiiu  nts  as  niiglit  be  a<lded.  A  vote  was  jta.>«?e(l,  .Jan. 
28t]i,  17ii2-.'5,  apiM.inting  the  townsmen  and  Lieut.  Hopkins  a 
coniniittee  t«»  make  sume  alterations  in  the  meetini;  lionse,  as 
has  been  discoursed,  that  there  mav  be  more  C'»nveniencv  of 
siting,  a!id  tlie  seats  enlarged  by  taking  n})  part  ol"  the  stairs 
in  the  gallerv  and  making  seats  there,  and  by  stop]»ing  nj» 
the  east  and  west  doars  and  making  there  what  seats  the  place 
will  allow,  and  to  mend  the  outside  of  the  meeting  house,  and 
to  raise  the  pulpit.^' 

I  am  not  certain  that  the  alterations  contemplated  in  the 
above  vote  were  ever  niade.  It"  they  were  the  j»eople  were  not 
long  satisfied  with  them.  Their  hearts  were  set  on  liaving  a  new 
meetinghouse,  and  they  believed  themselves  "able"  to  build 
one.  As  a  preparation  for  so  formidable  an  undertaking,  the 
proprietors  TOted)  Nov.  20tli,  1726,  that  the  four  proprietors' 
lots  which  remained  out  of  the  six  which  had  been  reserved, 
in  Xov.  1722,  for  sj)ecial  occasions,  should  be  sold.  Lieut. 
William  Hickoz,  William  Judd  and  Timothy  Hopkins  were 
chosen  a  committor  t  *  dispose  of  them.  They  were  sold,  Jan. 
9th,  1726-7,  to  John  Thomson,  Joseph  Wells  and  David  Jnd- 
8on,  all  of  Stratford,  for  £262,  money.  The  purchasers  be- 
came entitled  to  all  the  divisions,  past  and  prospective. 

The  following  votes  explain  themselves.  Thej  indicate  stir- 
ring times : 

Doc.  1-2,  1726  Agreed  tliat  wc  will  build  A  meeting  hoiue  fort}-  fuot  wide  and 
fifty  loot  Long 

December  26, 1726.  It  appearing  that  there  was  eome  DisBatiffiwttoo  about  a 
TOte  taken  Decern.  12*^  1726  with  Re^tect  to  the  Dementions  of  a  meeting  house 
we  did  by  Toto  conclude  that  we  would  build  a  meeting  honae  as  big  as  was  then 

concluded 

Alt  the  same  Meeting  It  was  agreed  that  the  Comitty  chosen  to  order  that 
aflair  ehould  hare  power  to  proportion  the  House  as  to  Lenth  and  breadth  with  the 
advise  of  the  workmen  thej  shall  agree  with  to  build  the  house  Kaking  it  of  the 

same  bigness  as  we  have  agreed  upon 

Att  tljc  same  meeting  the  Town  made  Cholw;  of  A  Committy  to  order  the  Affair 

of  huiUruig  A  nicctinf^  hou.«c  n«  we  have  apreed  and  to  Receive  the  money  of  th(» 
Committy  when  they  have  Rold  the  proprietors  Lotts  that  were  Devoted  to  the 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


L^ooQle 


Digitized  by  Google 


mSTOBY  OF  WATEBBUBT.  225 

dosipn  nnd  to  Altoc  with  llio  workman  tliat  ^hall  be  sot  About  tlio  work  and  for 
A  Comiuitt}-  wcru  Chusen  Lcl't.  Joliu  Hopkins  Serj.  John  Scovill  lhauc  Bruuudon 
Sen.  Dea.  Thonui  Ifickoz  uid  Tbo  dark 

[In  March,  Stephen  Hopkins  and  Lieut  Hkkox  were  added  to  this 

committee ;  but  in  December  folloving,  they  were  (with  some  roughness,  as  I 
judge)  pat  out  of  office — "  pat  out  from  being  Meeting  house  Committe,"  says  the 
record.] 

At  the  same  mooting  [Dec.  26,  1726]  wo  «lid  by  voto  Impower  them  [the  commit- 
tee] that  what  Timber  should  bo  gott  bj  particular  por:<ons  the  Committy  shall 
have  power  to  Cull  the  timlier  and  Refuse  what  they  shall  think  not  sutable  to  be 
improved  in  the  work 

Att  the  Siiine  meeting  the  Town  Granted  a  Rate  of  three  pence  on  the  pound  to 
be  paid  Into  the  Coniinitty  l>y  the  last  of  may  next  for  them  to  be|^  the  work 
about  the  mooting  houso  with 

Feb.  27,  172ti-7  [it  being  reprosontcdj  tliat  the  tiuiber  and  Other  materials  that 
the  Gomndtty  had  Agreed  for  and  procured  over  £d  the  Bate  of  three  pence  on 
the  pound  Some  thing  Consider  Able  we  did  by  A  rote  Agree  to  add  three  pence 
on  the  pound  to  the  Kate  Granted  In  December  26,  1726,  mtikoiiig  the  Kate  Six 
pence  on  the  pound,  the  town  Charge  for  the  year  1726  sImU  be  paid  out  of  tlie 
Six  ponny  Kate. 

June  2d  1727  It  was  by  vote  Agreed  that  the  stakes  set  down  at  the  east  End 
of  the  old  Meeting  house  shall  regulate  the  seUng  of  the  new  Meetfaig  house,  the 
North  west  Comer  at  the  one  stake  and  the  South  west  Comer  att  the  other  stake. 

At  the  8ame  meeting  it  vi&s  by  vote  agreed  that  in  Laying  the  SiUs  of  the 
Meeting  house  they  nhall  bo  hiid  two  foot  from  tlio  Ground  on  the  highest  Ground, 
and  tho  «tone  work  or  iimbT  pining  to  be  done  accordingly. 

March  13  1727-8  Ijcf  Timothy  Standly  Declairing  before  the  popriotors  [moot- 
ing] that  if  they  would  quietly  resign  A  Bacheldora  Lott  to  Uim  belonging  to  bis 
original  Propriety  which  he  had  been  Keept  out  of  he  would  make  Sale  of  It  and 
dedicate  the  money  there  of  to  the  building  the  meeting  house  we  are  now  about 
building,  where  upon  the  proprietors  did  by  their  vote  Declare  that  they  did 
re.<<ighn  tln^  abovo  sd  propriety  to  the  Said  Lift  Timothy  standly  he  de<Ucatiog  of 
It  to  tho  uso  above  sd. 

March  I8th  1728  [1727-8]  the  Town  made  choise  of  Mr  Nathaniel  Arnold  and 
Stephen  Hopkins  to  cul  the  Shingles  that  have  been  Oott  by  perticular  persons  to 
be  hud  on  the  New  meeting  house— at  the  same  meeting  the  Town  made  choise  of 
Jutii<  ~  Balding  with  them  to  the  same  work  of  culing  the  Shingles. 

Jan  1",  17'JS  [17  28-9]  the  Town  Granted  a  Kate  of  two  ponce  on  tho  pound  on 
the  Li.st  in  1728  to  be  Imployed  la  Carrying  on  the  work  of  the  New  Meeting 
houtie 

Att  the  Same  Meeting  the  Town  by  Vote  agreed  that  the  Committe  for  the 
Meeting  House  Shall  procure  the  under  flour  In  the  Meeting  House  to  be  Laid 
Double 

Thus  the  work  went  bravely  on.  It  was  a  great  enterprise, 
and  drew  heavily  on  the  resources  of  the  people.  The  neces- 
sary fnnds  were  raised  in  different  ways.  The  town  laid  taxes, 
as  we  have  seen.  Individuals  made  donations.  Dea.  John 

15 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


226 


UISTOliY  OF  WATLKUUliY. 


Stanley  (of  Farmington)  gave  eigbt  acres  of  land  in  the  seques* 
ter,  and  the  proprietors  sold  some  of  the  common  lands.  The 
avails  of  the  sale  of  wild  horses  were  set  apart  as  they  had  been 
when  the  former  liouse  was  built,  in  aid  of  the  work.  Tlie  house, 
it  will  Ijc  ubservetl,  w{i>  tit'tv  Ic-et  bv  forty,  <>r  of  "  tlmt  bi^'iie??^ 
and  as  an  illustration  of  tbe  «rreatness  of  tlie  w<trk,  as  coinpared 
with  the  nund)L'rsand  constMHicntly  the  weakness  of  the  i)CM>ple, 
it  has  been  said  that,  at  the  time  the  frame  was  raised,  the  en- 
tire popidatioii  of  the  town,  men,  women  and  children,  e<>iil«l 
have  found  seats  upon  its  sills.  Tliis  saying  possibly  a  little  ex- 
at^gerates  the  truth  ;  for  "VVaterbury  must  have  contained,  iu 
1727,  more  thjm  three  hundred  souls. 

I  lind  in  Dea.  Thomas  Clark's  "  account  book,"  a  charge 
against  the  town  for  "  boording  Mr.  Tliomas  Dutten  and  his 
prentic  from  ye  10  april  to  the  4'^  ot  July  in  1729— £7, 168." 
I  suspect,  but  do  not  know,  that  this  Mr.  Dntton  was  the  "ar^ 
chitect"  of  the  new  meeting  house ;  that  he  was  of  Walling- 
ford,  and  the  father  of  Thomas  Dntton,  who  settled  in  West- 
bury,  about  1757,  and  became  somewhat  celebrated  as  a 
church  builder  and  wood  carver.  The  Waterbnry  meeting- 
house, according  to  the  custom  of  the  times,  had  some  simple 
carved  work  in  the  interior.  There  is  a  brace  in  C.  D.  Kings- 
bury's bam,  over  the  main  door,  which  tradition  says  was 
taken  from  tiie  old  house,  which  may  be  regarded  as  a  si)ocl- 
men  of  the  work  which  adorned  that  venerable  building.^  It 
seems  entirely  sound. 

In  Juno,  1721),  the  new  meeting  house,  which  stood  close 
be>ide  the  old  one  and  east  of  it,  was  so  far  finished  that  it 
could  be  occuj)ied.  It  then  became  necessary  for  the  town  to 
enter  upon  the  ditlicult  and  delicate  business  of  seating''  tlie 
inhabitants.  This  seems  to  lun  e  been  con<lucted  with  a  scru- 
pulous regard  to  the  dignity  of  indiyiduals.  As  the  minister 
was  the  most  reverend  and  respectable  personage  in  the  com- 
munity, it  was  meet  that  he  and  hie  family  should  be  i^i'^t 
cared  for.  Tlie  result  is  recorded  by  himself  as  clerk — "  June 
30th,  1720,  the  Town  by  vote  gave  me,  John  Southmayd,  the 
Liberty  of  Ohuseing  a  seat  in  the  new  Meeting-house,  and  I 

*  It  U  a  part  of  the  traUitloo  tbat  thia  brace  waa  a  part  of  the  ^tt  meeting  house.  1 1>^^* 
bad  MM  rcMoa  to  fw,  howc? crt  that  It  bdooftd  to  tb«  Moend. 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATERBITBT. 


227 


made  choise  of  the  pew  next  the  pulpit  att  the  East  end  of  the 
pulpit  for  my  family  to  sit  in." 

It  was  then  voted  that  "  the  men  should  sit  in  the  west  end 
and  the  women  in  the  east  end  of  the  new  meeting  house," 
and  that  "but  one  head  should  be  counted  in  a  man's  list." 
So  much  being  done,  the  meeting  adjourned  for  further  delib- 
eration, perhaps.  Hie  next  day,  July  1st,  after  deciding  ^'  that 
age  should  be  considered*'  in  the  business  of  seating,  "  Good- 
man Andrnss  and  his  wife,  Lieut.  Hopkins  and  liis  wife, 
GoudiHun  IJiirncrJ,  Serg.  Upson,  Sen',  and  the  AViddow  porter 
were  voted  into  the  fii*st  pew  att  the  west  end  of  tlie  puljiit."' 
Andni?«*,  Ilopkin?,  Barnes  and  Upson  were,  at  the  time,  at 
an  advanced  ap:e,  and  were  the  oUiest  pr(>})rietors  and  earliest 
settlei*s  tlien  livinjj:  in  the  town.  Tliev  were  the  survivinj; 
fathers  of  tlie  phantation.  Hence  tlie  propriety  of  their  occu- 
pying this  high  position  in  the  new  house — a  jdace  next  in 
diirnity  to  the  minister's.  "Widdow  i)orter"  was  the  widow 
of  Daniel  Porter,  lately  deceased,  one  of  the  original  thirty. 
To  Dr.  Warner,  now  somewhat  advanced  in  life,  was  assigned 
the  second  seat  firom  the  pulpit,  on  the  men's  side. 

Having  thus  made  a  suitable  provision  for  dignity  and  age, 
it  was  in  order  to  look  after  the  people  at  large.  Having  con- 
cluded that  all  the  males  of  sixteen  years  and  upward  should 
be  seated,"  a  committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of  Dea. 
Thomas  Clark,  Samuel  Hickox  and  Stephen  Eelsey,  to  detei^ 
mine  the  rank  of  the  pews  and  to  place  the  inhabitants  in 
them,  according  to  rule.  The  rule  of  individual  rank  was 
founded  on  age  and  list,  as  on  former  occasions,  one  year  in  age 
to  be  the  equivalent  of  forfy  shillings  in  the  Ust  In  making 
out  lists,  the  committee  were  directed  to  take  the  three  last,  on 
which  the  three  rates  were  granted  for  the  building  of  the 
meeting  house." 

No  further  movement  appears  to  have  been  niude  toward^ 
finishin<j^  the  house  till  Dec.  1730.  It  was  tlien  voted  "  to  go 
on  to  tinish  the  meeting  house  galleries  within  six  montlis." 
A  year  afterwards,  a  rate  of  two  pence  on  the  i)Ound  was 
granted  towards  defraying  the  charge  of  tinishing  the  meeting 
house,  and  also  for  the  town  charge  of  the  year  past." 

This  house  continued  the  place  of  worship  for  the  whole 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


228 


mSTORT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


town  till  173v^,  and  for  tliu  tirst  society  till  1795,  whvn  ii  new 
lH)n.se  was  erected.  liepairs  were  made  I'mni  time  to  time. 
In  1752,  the  town  "  voted  to  repair  the  meeting  house  hy  hav- 
ing windows  in  front  of  twenty-four  6(|uare8  of  eeven  by  nine, 
or  nine  by  ten,  with  window  frames."  The  old  windows  m  ere 
to  be  used  for  the  ends  and  back  side.  In  1769,  those  who 
are  seated  in  the  seats"  had  permission,  ''at  their  own  ex- 
pense, to  turn  them  into  pews."  In  the  same  year,  I  find  on 
record  evidence  of  growing  relaxation  on  qnestions  of  morality 
and  propriety.  In  December,  the  town  voted,  for  reasons  not 
given,  ^  that  men  and  their  wives  may  be  seated  together  in 
the  pews  I" 

It  was  not  cQstomary  "  in  olden  time  "  to  have  a  chimney 
or  fire  in  tihe  meeting  honse.   It  was  cold  sitting,  in  a  winter's 

day,  through  a  long  sermon,  but  the  people  were  tough. 
Those  who  lived  at  too  great  a  distance  to  retuni  liome  till  the 
day's  service  was  over,  would  resort,  in  tlie  intermission,  to 
the  nearer  Tieijj:hhors.  As  society  advanced,  h(.>wever,  "the 
sabbath  day  lionse,"  so  called,  was  built.  Tliere  the  more 
distant  inhabitant>  rej>aired,  the  morning  service  over,  to  thaw 
their  frosty  limbs  before  a  roui-iiiL'  tire.  Tliere  they  ate  tlie 
dinner  and  drank  the  cider  which  thev  had  bronirht  from  home. 
The  first  notice  of  sabbath  day  liouses  in  AVaterbury  is  in  1743. 
In  Decend)er  of  that  year,  "  upon  motion  by  some  i>erson8  for 
liberty  to  set  up  saboth  day  houses  in  the  highway,  the  toMii 
appointed  a  conmiittee  to  hear  the  request  and  appoint  what 
place  they  shall  build  on."  Kothiug,  liowever,  appears  to 
have  been  done  at  this  time,  and  in  December,  1751,  'Mhc 
town  gave  liberty  to  such  fanners  as  have  a  mind  to  bnild 
sabbatli  day  houses  of  seting  them  in  the  highway  against  san- 
day  hollow,  on  the  north  side,  above  Thomas  BronsonV 
They  were  allowed  ground  twelve  or  sixteen  feet  in  width, 
and  twenty  rods  long,  which  appears  to  have  been  improved.* 

*  The  cabjcct  of  burning  yard*  majr  regaire  a  few  rcmarkt.  The  old  yard  ou  Grand  i<trret  la 
BOt  iNBtlmied  In  the  early  ree«rdi  ttWrnUtbarynaw  In  existence,  except  Incidentally.  U  date* 
dMSbXhm  from  the  beKinDinK  of  tb«  •etUcmcnt.  There  the  du»t  of  otir  father*  was  laid,  though 
no  monuments  Identify  the  earlier  grares.  In  the  old  ground  (th«  aortbireit  portion  of  llie  pre- 
sent yard)  were  deposited  all  the  dead  of  the  town  till  1709. 

**  Aptill  1 1 1709  the  scelect  int-n  of  watcrlmry  wltb  the  prcflcna  aod  conacnlt  of  tamll  birkox 
LayH  oult  and  >iiu't<  r«'<i  hnlf  nn  ncur  of  Innd  of  »nl(!  Jili  kox  om-  ttic  sntitlierd  COd  of  a  Mil  at 
judda  luedow  cald  the  hill  one  the  est  side  Uie  rtucr  betmecn  thouias  Judd  Jar  bit  land  iorm 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBBBURY. 


229 


TheStato's  committee  and  the  proprietors  of  the  town,  iVoiii 
time  to  time,  as  has  already  heen  stated,  made  the  most  liheral 
provision  lor  tlie  support  of  religion.  Notwithstanding  this,  it 
was  found,  after  Mr.  Soutlunayd's  settlement  in  1705,  that  there 
was  no  adequate  fund  remaining.  One  £ir)0  propriety  reserved 
in  the  beginning,  had  been  bestowed  on  Mr.  Peek.  A  like  pro- 
priety had  been  given  to  Mr.  Sonthmayd.  The  mistake  had 
been  made  of  giving  to  the  minister,  instead  of  for  the  nse  of 
the  minister.  Only  a  few  acres  of  land  had  been  granted  specifi- 
cally for  this  last  object — a  house  lot  of  two  acres,  three  acres  in 
the  little  pasture,  and  fifteen  acres  on  Steel's  Brook.  Under  these 
circumstances,  and  to  provide  for  the  permanent  maintenance 
of  the  ministry,  the  proprietors  passed  this  vote : 

Dtv.  l".,  171. "i.  It  was  ajrroed.bv  A-nte  tliat  in  tho  •livi'^ion  now  to  Im»  lai<l  out 
thoro  f>hiiU  be  a  division  of  one  huiulri-il  ami  fifty  jmiuiuI  propriety  laiil  out  with  it 
to  bo  duposcd  of  hy  the  town  for  tlic  eiicourageinent  of  the  Go:ipcI  iu  the  towu  of 
W«terbury. 

This  riirht  was  not  entitled  to  the  Itacludor  aeefiniiiioda- 
tious ;  and  yet  the  divisions  which,  at  dill'erent  times,  have 
been  made  on  it,  have  amounted  to  many  hnndre<l  acres,  the 
income  of  which,  had  the  land  been  well  selected,  would  have 
supported^several  ministers.  But  the  benevolent  intentions  of 
our  ancestors  were  defeated.  The  lands  designed  to  have  been 
kept  sacred  for  the  maintenance  of  religious  institutions  have, 
with  a  single  small  exception,  disappeared,  as  have  the  moneys 
derived  from  their  sale.  Soon  after  Weatbury  and  Xorthbury 
were  set  off  as  distinct  societies,  dissensions  began  to  prevail ; 
the  people  grew  careless  of  thetr  permanent  interests ;  and  the 

burjrinx  piM  fur  Uutt  part  of  nd  town  or  may  other  &»  shall  ■«  oM  to  m»k  ose  of  li  for  lad  oit 
tlUMr  OM  Md  iMf  tho  Witt  of  dMMll  wnut  w»  buryd:  Uyd  oat  by  u  wllh  eoBflmt  of  Ibo 
wAurliood, 

•niiu  jrround  1«  on  the  hill  on  the  r.i,!  ^Me  of  the  proj^'nt  Sew  Haren  road,  a  little  ahore  tho 
bridge  la  Naugaluck.  When  the  writer  waa  a  bojr,  the  earth  oftoo  gavo  waj  on  the  preclplloos 
Wflttern  book,  cnirylnf  the  cxpoood  booot  far  down  the  hill  towards  tho  road. 

In  December,  1784,  a  committee  wai  appointed  "  to  purchase  at  town  cost  half  an  acre  of  land 
out  eastward  near  Joiepb  Atkins  for  a  burjlng  jrard."  This  was  on  tho  Farmlngtoo  road,  and 
Is,  I  sappoie,  the  yard  now  owd  In  Baat  FUm  dtotrlet. 

In  1796,  March  2d,  the  town  bought  for  flft/ shillinicn,  of  Elnathao  Taylor,  "one  acre  aad 
flfljr  two  roda  up  the  rlrer  {'  at  NorthoMd,*  or  Korthbary]  <^n  a  plain  by  his  houne,  or  a  llttlo 
ttorlhward  of  It,  and  north  of  Twiteh  OrMa  Brook,  a  trlai>t;ie  piece,  bounded  east  on  highway, 
west  on  Jotieph  t'i  land,  Kouth  on  common  land  " — "  for  aBWjl&g  Place  to  bp iOnaottMod 
and  aot  apart  for  that  mo  "— to  barj  thotr  doad  in  at  Uiej  hhTO  oooailon." 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


230 


lUSTOBY  OF  WATERBURY. 


town,  in  town  nieetinjr,  tlecided,  Jan.  7,  1789-40,  "after  a  long 
discussion  and  much  upjiosiiion,"  to  sell  the  ministerial  estate 
growiiiii:  out  of  the  ^crant  of  1715,  (as  it  had  authority  to  do,) 
taking  niorti::a<^es  for  the  lU'incipal  and  bonds  for  the  inter- 
est."* It  was  designed  to  distribute  the  avails  among  the  dilfer- 
ent  societies.  A  portion  of  the  land  was  sold  by  a  sjieeial 
committee  (<if  the  town) — Samuel  Ilickox,  Timothy  Hopkins 
and  Jolm  Bronson — as  early  as  Jan.  24,  1739-40.  Oilier 
pieces  were  disposed  of  soon  after,  the  purchnBer  giving  "  se- 
curity for  princi])al  and  interest  yeai  l  v  at  some  Bet  time,  either 
by  surety  or  land."  Mr.  Southmayd,  the  town  treasurer,  was 
chosen  to  have  the  custody  of  the  notes  and  bonds  taken  in 
payment,  ^  and  to  deliyer  the  same  to  the  several  societies' 
committees  when  orderly  called  for,"  and  said  committees 
were  authorized  "  to  sue  out  the  notes  and  bonds  of  particular 
persons,  if  there  be  occasion."  The  special  committee  was  also 
directed  "  to  make  sale  of  the  remainder  of  the  [ministry] 
land,  if  under  circumstances  that  it  may  be  sold."  At  the 
next  meeting,  Iield  March  dOth,  1741,  it  was  agreed  that  "  the 
ministry  land  sequestered  by  the  grand  committee  might  be 
sold  and  the  use  of  the  money  be  to  the  use  of  the  ministry  in 
Waterbury.''  This  land,  consisting  of  the  three  pieces  al- 
ready referred  to,  the  town,  it  is  believed,  had  no  control 
ovtT.  It  could  not  be  sold  by  the  terms  of  the  grant.  It 
was  to  "  remain  for  the  use,  occupation  and  improvement  of 
the  ministiy  of  the  town  forever,  without  any  alteration  or 
dis|>osal,  [or  olherj  use  or  improvement  whatsoever."  Kotliing, 
however,  now  remains,  with  the  excejftion  of  the  "  little  ])as- 
ture,"  (the  parsonage  lot  of  tlie  First  Congregational  Society ;) 
and  how^  this  hai)pens  to  liave  been  preserved  is  a  man  el. 
In  December,  1750,  after  it  had  been  set  at  liberty  by  Mr. 
Southmayd's  death,  the  proprietoi*s  voted  that  it  should  "  be 
for  the  use  of  the  several  schools  in  the  town  of  Waterbury,  to 
l>e  disposed  of  as  the  other  school  lands  heretofore  hath  been." 
Next  the  town  concluded  to  try  its  hand.  In  December, 
1T57,  it  voted  that  y*  select  men  shall  rent  it  [the  little  pas- 
ture] out  for  y*  insning  year  and  [tut  y*  money  into  y*  town 
treasury."  But  neither  the  [proprietors  nor  the  town  could 
[)ro[)erly  have  any  voice  in  the  matter.  Much  less  could  they 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


BISTOBT  OF  WATBBBURT. 


231 


divert  it  from  its  original  purpose.  The  land  was  given  by 
the  colonial  government  bj  its  committee,  and  the  grant, 
along  with  others  made  for  public  and  pious  uses,"  had  been 
ratified  and  made  perpetual  hj  the  action  of  the  General 
Court 

Again,  in  1841,  when  the  funds  with  which  the  society  was 
to  })ay  for  the  fourth  new  meeting  house  were  not  forthcom- 
ing;, the  committee  who  had  charge  of  the  business  proposed 
to  sell  the  parsonage  lot.  Bonnet  Bronson  objected  to  this,  and 
stated  that  the  property  could  not  he  sold  hy  the  terms  of  the 
gift.  He,  however,  saw  no  objection  to  leasing  the  land  lor  a 
series  of  years,  by  M'hich  an  amount  a])proaching  its  ca^h  value 
miirht  be  secured  I'or  tlie  treasurv,  and  otfered  himself  to  take  a 
lea^e  for  twenty  years,  paying  for  the  same  three  hundred  and 
forty-four  dolhirs.  The  j)ropositiou  was  accepted.  When  the 
lease  had  run  about  eight  years,  Mr.  Bronson  died,  when,  by 
direction  of  his  will,  the  little  jiasture  returned  to  the  society, 
"worth,  from  good  husbandry,  and  the  rise  of  lands  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, many  fold  what  it  was  when  it  went  into  his  posses- 
sion. May  it  remain  for  the  use  originally  designed,  with- 
out any  alteration  or  disposal,"  forever.* 

The  friends  of  the  Church  of  England  attempted,  at  an  early 
period,  to  obtain  their  proportion  of  the  ministerial  lands,  or 
of  ihe  moneys  arising  from  their  sale.  The  town,  however,  took 
upon  itself  the  business  of  distributing  these  funds,  and  the 
Episcopalians  appear  to  have  been  out-voted  in  town  meeting. 
In  December,  1763,  the  town  appointed  Thomas  Matthews, 
John  Welton,  Samuel  Hickoz,  Jr.,  Abraham  Hickoz  and 
David  Warner,  a  "committee  to  examine  the  records  con- 
earning  the  ministerial  lands  and  moneys,  and  make  report  to 
an  adjourned  meeting but  at  the  next  meeting,  in  February, 
a  proj)osition  to  hear  the  re})ort  was  "  answered  in  the  nega- 
tive." I>ut  in  1770,  the  strength  of  the  new  sect  was  much 
anjjmented.  Thev  had  become  numerous  in  Xorthbiirv,  AVest- 
bury  an«l  in  all  i»arts  of  the  town.  In  this  year,  by  uniting  theni- 

*  BlnM  tli9»k«T«wM  written,  th«  land  fn  ^««U»a,  nil  bat «  Awctloa,  hns  been  wtoed  nnd  tp- 

proprlati-'l,  lunler  It^  i  hnrt.  r,  by  the  Hiirtfonl,  Provldene*  aad  Ptobklll  Rallroa'l  C<<.  ¥ot  about 
Utree  quArtera  of  it  the  compaojr  paid  (bo  locietr  aix  tiMMHMd  dollars.  The  money  tbiu  ob. 
talmd  ku  bMQ  tttTMtod  In  m  Imbm  Midlol  «b  LMTcnwortli  itreet,  for  a  parioDftge,  nov  lm> 
pr«T«d  bf  tht  pialor«  S«t.  Mr.  Woodworth. 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


232 


HIBTOSY  OF  WATiiJiBUEY. 


selves  witli  the  friends  <>t'un  e<|iial  ilisti  i])iitioii  nl'all  thcscliool 
iiioiiev.s  to  all  the  s»>eietie.s  ol' tlie  town,  they  ^\" ere  able  to  coin- 
maiul  ii  niajoritv  of  the  V(^tes.  A  t-^rt  ot*  oiniiibiis  liill'-  was 
framed,  wliieh  \vas  i>as-se(l  Mareli  llitli,  1770.  It  eiulHaecM]  the 
two  objects  to  wliieli  reference  has  been  made.  That  part  of 
it  which  relates  more  particulaiiy  to  the  ministerial  funds  is 
as  follows : 

And  whereat,  Okewifle,  there  ftre  certain  moMjt  in  the  abovendd  town  appro- 

priatfd  to  the  support  of  the  go.«pd  nming  fidiii  ilu-  ealo  of  lands  given  by  the 
pt«)j>ri.t(»r.-i,  nt  thi'tr  meftitif;  Di-c.  LI,  ITITj,  to  be  di.-puMd  of  by  the  town  for  the 
])urj)o.sc  above  td,  aud  the  church  of  Kiigland  chiiiiiiug  their  equal  pioportiou  of 
the  same,  the  town,  at  their  pretwnt  meeting,  taking  into  cout-ideratiou  the  ubove 
ad  cbims  with  respect  to  the  ministerial  and  school  nonej,  agree  bj  Tote  thai 
the  above  sd  moneys  be  forever  hereafter  divided  according  to  the  above  sd  claims, 
and  that  the  soi  ioties  and  parts  of  societies  that  shall  hereafter  be  made  shall  be 
entitled  to  a  like  privilege. 

Against  this  entire  vote,  the  committees  (school  and  eccle- 
siastical) of  the  first  societ  v  i^  otested.  The  school  committee's 
protest  will  be  found  in  another  place.  That  of  the  society's 
committee  runs  in  this  wise : 

Whereui*  the  town  ol  Wateibury  formerly  (when  conM.«ting  of  but  one  cccleeias- 
ttcal  society)  waa  possessed  of  certain  hirgc  quantities  of  lands  devoted  to  the  use  of 
the  ministry  in  the  same.  And  whereas,  since  the  sd  town  has  been  Avided  into 
several  ecdesiasUcal  societies,  the  inhabitants  of  sd  societies  convened  in  a  town 
meeting  did  formerly  undertake  by  their  votes  (o  frell  part  of  the  f  d  lands,  and  to 
divide  the  interest  of  the  iiioiieyj*  raided  thereby  to  and  amoiifrst  j^d  8oeietie« — 
And  now  the  said  inhabitants  have  ali-o  voted  that  a  certain  party  culled  the 
church  of  Enghind,  (which  had  no  existence  in  sd  town  when  .'^d  lands  was  granted 
to  the  nse  of  the  ministry  therein,)  shall  have  their  equal  proportion  of  b* 
moneys,  all  which  votes  are  an  alTringement  on  the  property  of  the  first  society  of 
sd  Waterbiiry  and  contrary  to  tlie  laws  of  this  Colony  Therefore  we  the  sub- 
scribers, society's  eoniuuttee  in  sd  first  Foeiety,  do  enter  this  our  protest  more  es- 
pecially apaiii'-t  the  lust  of  the  above  m1  v(»t(  -  Hi;i(ic  tlii.s  day,  as  it  i^al.-o  apiinst  law 
and  equity  uud  the  most  important  rites  and  interest  of  this  society  and  against  the 
common  sence  and  practice  of  mankind,  and  request  the  same  may  be  recorded  io 
the  office  of  the  town  derk  in  sd  Waterbnry.  Dated  March  12, 1770. 

(Signed)  Andrew  Bronson,  Joseph  Hopkins,  Adibel  Porter,  Dan.  Welton, 
Ezra  Bronson,  society's  committee  of  the  first  society  of  Watorhnry. 

In  the  spring  of  the  following  year,  (1771,)  the  first  society, 
hy  its  agents,  Joseph  Hopkins  and  Ezra  Bronson,  petitioned  the 
Assemhij  for  relief.  They  said  that  all  the  ministerial  lands 
had  been  sold,  except  the  little  pasture,  for  £303,  14s.  6d. 
— that  the  interest  had  been  divided  among  the  Bcveral  yar- 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HMOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT.  238 

ishes  till  Marcli,  1770,  when  a  digBatisficd  party  of  AVest- 
buiy,  long  discontented  becaur^e  they  had  not  a  share  of  the 
moneys  derived  from  the  sale  of  the  western  lauds,  (with  tlie  aid 
of  certain  Church-of-England-men,)  assembled  and  passed  the 
obnoxious  vote.  In  August  past,  (the  memorial  continued,) 
Oapt.  Samuel  Hickox  and  Abraham  Andrews,  a  commit- 
tee of  Westbuiy,  Jotham  Curtis,  a  committee  of  Korthbury, 
and  Capt.  Edward  Scovill  and  Capt.  Abraham  Hickox  of 
TVaterbiiry,  "  for  the  professors  of  the  Church  of  England," 
"  met  at  the  town  clerk's  office  and  earned  off  about  three  qaar- 
ters  of  the  whole  interest  of  said  ministerial  money,"  &c. 

Tlie  petition,  which  ja-ayud  that  the  money  might  be  return- 
ed, or  an  order  j)5is8e(l  cniicerning  tlie  disi)n>al  of  it,  was  denied. 

But  soon  tlie  Revolutionary  war  broke  out.  The  Chiuch-nf- 
Enirland-inen  Kvninathized  with  the  mother  cnuntrv,  and 
the  vote  which  gave  them  a  share  of  tlie  ministerial  money, 
was  fnund  in  town  meetin<j^  to  be  "a  very  juml)led,  nnin- 
telligililo  one,  and  as  understood  by  some,  illegal  and  un- 
just, and  inconsistent  with  the  design  of  the  donors  of  said 
laiuU."  Tlie  obnoxious  vote,  therefore,  so  far  as  it  related  to 
the  Church  of  England,  was  "  declared  to  be  entirely  vacated 
and  of  no  effect."  The  other  parts  of  the  vote  were  to  "stand." 

There  was,  perhaps,  some  informality  respecting  the  meet- 
ing which  passed  this  repealing  vote,  or  in  its  action  in  refers 
ence  to  the  same ;  for  at  a  meeting  held  March,  1780,  the  vote 
was  again  passed,  and  put  upon  I'ecord. 

When  it  was  proposed  that  Westbnry  and  Northbuiy  should 
be  set  off  as  a  distinct  town,  and  the  consent  of  Waterbury  was 
asked,  it  was  given  on  condition  that  the  new  town  should  re- 
linquish all  claim  to  the  ministerial  and  school  moneys.  The 
act  of  incorporation  said  nothing  about  these  moneys,  and  the 
question  was  left  to  be  adjusted  by  the  j)arties  interested.  In 
Dec.  1786,  the  town  of  Waterbury  aj)])ointed  Capt.  Gideon 
ITotehkiss,  Joseph  Hopkins,  Esq.  and  Mr.  Daniel  Byini^ton  a 
coimnittee  to  settle  "these  matters"  with  Watertowu.  In 
December,  17S7,  another  committee  was  chosen,  consisting  of 
Joseph  Hopkins,  Esq.,  Capt.  Isaac  I>ronson,  Mr.  Josiah 
Bronson,  John  Welton,  Ezra  IJn^nson  and  Samuel  Lewis, 
Esquires,  to  meet  a  committee  of  Watertown  to  settle  the  con- 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


234 


HI8TDBT  OF  WA.TBRBUBT. 


troversy,"  with  full  power  "  to  relinquish  such  part  of  our 
claim  to  said  property  as  they  shall  judge  prudent,"or  to  agree 
to  leave  the  qiu'-tinn  to  referees,  or  arbitrators. 

In  April  following,  tlie  committee  reported  that  they  conkl 
not  agree,  each  party  thinking  right  was  on  its  side.  In  De- 
cember, 1788,  a  Tote  was  taken  and  passed  to  choose  a  commit- 
tee ^to  negotiate  the  matter  with  Watertown,"  and  to  settle 
it  in  such  manner  as  they  might  think  pradent,  jMrovtded 
they  conid  obtain  farorable  terms,  &c. 

When  Farmingbury  came  to  apply  for  town  privileges,  in 
1787  and  subsequently,  the  people  of  the  old  town  took  the 
same  position  as  they  did  in  the  case  of  Westbury  and  North* 
bury,  and  were  met  hy  the  same  opposition. 

In  October,  ITl'ii,  pi'iulin«;  an  application  to  the  General  As- 
senihly  for  an  act  of  incorjjoratioii,  tlie  town  voted  that  if  the 
society  of  FarniinjLrhury  would  witliin  ei^ht  days  give  the  old 
town  ''a  legal  ac(juittance  of  all  their  right  in  the  ])ul)lic  min- 
isterial and  school  moneys  and  other  property,"  ^Ve.,  then  the 
town  would  not  appear  agalust  the  uicuioriai  ot  Farmingbury. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

SCHOOLS. 

CoNNBonouT  has  been  long  distinguished  for  its  common 
schools.  The  Oode  of  Laws  established  by  the  General  Court 
in  1650  recognized  their  importance. 

It  one  chiefe  project  of  that  old  dcluder  Satliau  [wivs  this  Code]  to  kcepo 

nicu  from  a  knowledge  of  tbe  aoripturM,  as  in  former  times  keeping  them  in  an  on- 
knowne  tongue,  so  In  the  latter  times  by  perawading  them  from  the  use  of 
Tongues,  so  that  at  least  the  true  sence  and  meaning  of  the  originnll  might  bee 
clouded  with  false  i^Qlses  of  saint  pccming  decciucrs  ;  nnd  th;\t  Iciiriiinp  may  not 
heeburiod  in  th<'  praiio  of  o'  Fnr»'f;i!hiT;<,  in  Clmrv  h  nnd  (""oinmnn  wealth,  the  Lord 
as-istin^r  our  on.U  iiuorf) — It  is  there  fore  ordered  by  thi.H  Courte  that  euery  Town- 
shipp  [icj— [TrumbuU'a  Col.  Records^  Vol.  I,  p.  554.] 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


mSTOBT  or  WATEBBDBT. 


235 


The  grand  committee,  when  they  reserved  the  three  great 
lots,"  douljtless  liad  reference  to  the  interests  of  edncation.  I 
do  not  find,  however,  the  school  lot  particularly  mentioned  iu 
any  of  their  proceedings.  It  wonld  seem  that  the  proprietors 
were  allowed  some  discretion  in  the  disposition  of  at  least  two 
of  the  lots  in  qnestion.  When  Mr.  Feck  came  to  be  settled, 
as  an  inducement,  one  of  the  £150  proprieties  was  divided, 
equally,  I  suppose,  (in  1790,)  between  Jeremiah  Peck,  Jr.,  and 
''the  school."*  In  doing  this,  the  proprietors  doubtless 
thought  they  were  securing  the  "  public  and  pious"  ends  con- 
templated by  the  committee. 

Tliero  is  nothing  to  show  when  schools  were  first  set  up  in 
Waterlmry.  A  statute,  liowever,  re<|uired  *•  that  every  Town 
haviii«r  a  Icjjs  numher  of  llouseliolders  than  seventv  bhall 
Yearly  tVuni  Year  to  Year  he  j)ruvided  of  a  ^^llliicient  bclH>(»l- 
master,  to  teach  Cliildren  and  Youth  to  Write  and  Read  fur 
one  half  of  the  vear,"  and  "  that  eacli  Town  shall  annnallv  ])av 
Forty  Sh'tUhnjs  ioY  every  TJioumnd  J*oii?uh  in  their  respec- 
tive Country  Lists,  towards  tlie  Maintenance  of  the  School 
Master  in  the  Town,"  *fec.  Tlie  earliest  town  record,  on  the 
subject  of  schools,  bears  the  date  of  1698.  Here  it  is : 

DecembR  19d  1698  y  town  granted  808  with  y  hat  jein  rent  of  j*  acooll 

land  for  y*  incuragment  of  a  scoll  for  four  moneths  or  longer  if  U  cm  bo  obtayned 
and  deacon  Thomas  Judd  Ensign  Standly  &.  John  liopkins  was  c1ioi«on  a  oommitty 
t<>  endeuiour  to  procure  one  to  keep  pcooI  to  tt  ach  in  rigliting  as  well  as  rea«ling 

[The  fii-st  volume  of  the  record  of  town  nicctinps  conimeaces  with  the  date  of 
the  nboTe  entry,  and  with  page  9Sth,  the  i^agin^;  being  continuedf  probably,  from 
some  former  book.  WheUier  any  separate  record  of  the  proper  buaineae  of  town 
meetinga  waa  madepreylons  to  thia  time  is  not  quite  certafai.] 

The  extracts  beh)w  show  what  was  dune  by  the  town,  from 
year  to  year,  on  this  subject : 

December:  18d:  lt;i»0  y«  town  ^^ranted  80  shiling  and  )•  scoal  money  for  j« 
incuragment  of  a  i^coal  for  three  mouethji 

John  ho[ridna  beqjamin  barns  and  Stephen  nbeon  was  chosen  a  cOTimitj  to  hyre 
a  scoal  maater  for  three  moneths  if  thej  can 

Dcccmbr:  21:  1702:   benjamin  barni^  senor  and  Stephen  ubson  senr  was  chosen 

ft  conimitty  to  hyr  a  scoolmaster  for  to  keep  scoal  for  tlirc  moneths 
Att  y*  same  meeting  John  Richards  and  John  judd  was  chosen  a  conuuitty  to 


*  Thll  appears,  nut  from  record,  but  from  a  petitloo  to  the  General  Auembly,  April,  1771, 
•Igned  by  Um  sodcljr^s  eoouBlUaa^  la  refercDoa  to  Um  nlolilcHal  montf*.  In  the  Mritw  dltrUona 
9tUnet,  the  Ihrce  leierred  ptoprlettcs  were  eatared  as  lolii'* 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


236 


UISTO&Y  OF  WATUfiBL'iiV. 


hireftteoBl  dmne  for  to  keep  scoal  in  y*  somoraiidibr    end  to^oiake  ufe  of  what 
money  Bhall  be  left  f  U  due  to  y*  scool  for  y*  acoll  knd  after  y*  wool  roaster  Is  payd 
[Dee.  5,  1704]  serg.  Isaac  brunson  and  benjamin  bcrns  scnr  was  chosen  scool 

coin~ity  to  hire  a  scoolmaater  to  instruct  in  wrighting  and  reeding  as  long  as  they 
can  and  to  haue  what  y*  oouiitiy  a  lows  for  y' end  and  to  hire  a  f«coal  duiiio  to 
teach  i>cool  in  y*  8unier  and  I'ur  y'  kcuuI  to  let  yu  acoU  laud  at  sum  publick  meeting 
to  be  iroproued  for  y*  8umer  scool  [&c.] 

[Deo.  9, 170A]  doct'  porter  and  iohn  Richards  was  chosen  scool  oornt  to  hire 
ft  scool  master  for  three  moneths  and  a  sooal  dame  for  y*  8nm*~r  as  ikre  as  y* 
scool  money  will  go 

[Dec.  8,  17<»T]  Stephen  iipson  sen  and  iolm  seouill  and  John  Kiehason  wer  ehosn 
coiniti  to  t<e  after  the  Indding  a  seool  hous  which  the  town  by  uoat  pa-^ed  to  be 
bull  and  the  sd  hous  i&  to  be  bult  fourteen  foot  wide  and  sixtecen  in  length 

Desember  38  1709  [the  same  persons]  ware  chosen  a  commity  to  cary  on  the 
work  of  buldlnc  n  eoouU  hoos  in  said  town 

Fabry  20  1709-10  Tlionias  hiekox  was  chosen  a  comity  with  dauid  scott  and 
Kichard  porter  formerly  choseu  for  this  year  for  to  liire  a  scool  master  to  tech 
scouU  and  a  dam  if  need  be 

October  y^  18  1720  it  waa  agreed  by  note  that  tbay  would  haue  a  rate  of  twdue 
pound  for  the  riging  up  the  scoll  hous  and  other  ehaiye  in  the  town  so  fiur  as  it  will  go 

Tliare  was  chosan  for  comety  to  see  that  the  scol  hons  be  dun  and  repared 
dauid  Scott  ser  thomas  brunson  and  Stephen  hopkins 

In  Deceiiiher  1723.    It  wst^^  Acted  that  the  Seliool  Conimitto  Shall  yearly  Do- 
mand  tlie  Country  money  [the  niMm-y  nMpiirL-d  to  he  rai-^ed  by  tlu-  (.-(iloiiy  hnv?] 
And  the  Money  that  the  School  Laud  was  Let  for  and  pay  the  School  And  yearly 
Giro  an  Account  at  our  great  town  Meeting  of  their  Beceivings  and  Disbursements 
and  their  account  Shall  be  Recorded. 

The  School  Committe  for  1728  wldeh  was  Thomas  Ilikcox  and  Thomas  Broun- 
son  laid  y'  accounts  before  the  town  that  their  Receivings  were  C — 9 — and 
their  Disbursements  to  the  school  C> — 9 — n  and  that  there  was  coniin;:  to  the  town 
25  shillings  in  Doc.  Worners  hand  and  seven  and  six  pence  in  Richard  weltous 
hand  for  school  land  let  to  them. 

These  votes  and  memoranda  of  the  town  cler]^  pro^'e  the 
earnest  endeavors  of  the  earljr  people  of  Waterbnry,  in  a  time 
of  great  embarrassment,  to  provide  the  means  of  an  elementary 
education  for  the  yoong.  Though  thejr  appeared  not  to  do  as 
muchy  in  every^  case,  as  the  statute  required,  they  doubtless 
did  all  that  their  circumstances  permitted. 

It  is  impossible  to  ascertain  who  were  the  earlj  schoolmas- 
ters and  "school  dames"  of  Waterbnry.  There  is  reason, 
however,  to  believe  that  Thomas  Judd,  Jr.,  taught  a  school 
before  he  removed  to  Farmington,  (early  in  ITOU,)  Uii  lias  al- 
ready been  siig<j:ostud. 

For  more  than  forty  years  after  AVaterbiirv  was  settled,  there 
seems  to  have  beeu  uo  gcbool  in  the  towu  except  at  tbc  ceuter, 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HI8T0KY  OF  WATEBBUBY. 


237 


and  no  school  honee  except  the  small  one  sixteen  feet  by  fonr- 
tcen,  first  occi4)ie(l,  probably,  in  171<'.  There  a  school  was 
taught  by  a  schoolmaster  for  three  or  tour  months  during  tho 
cold  season  of  each  vear,  aii<l  by  a  "school  dame,"  "if  need 
be,"  and  one  was  to  be  had,  in  the  sinunier.  Tlius  our  fathers 
got  the  little  8cho»)lin<^  they  ])ossessed.  Thus  are  accounted 
for  their  literary  iiilii niities.  They  were  roiif^h  fanners  liying 
in  a  rou«xh  country  and  in  a  ron^'h  aire.  They  were  skillful  in 
chopi>ing,  grubbing,  hoeing  and  "moin,"  but  had  little  leisure 
or  taste  for  letters,  lliey  had  not,  for  a  long  time,  what  may 
be  called  an  educated  man  among  them,  except  their  minis- 
ters. They  farnisbed  no  graduate  of  college  for  the  first  forty 
years,  and  no  graduate  settled  in  the  town  for  the  first  sixty- 
three  A  cars. 

After  the  population  of  the  town  had  extended  from  the  cen- 
ter in  different  directions,  each  neighborhood  that  would  keep 
up  a  schooVand  had  a  sufficient  number  of  scholars,  was  allow- 
ed a  proportion  of  the  school  money.  The  first  notice  of  these 
ontside  schools  is  in  1730 : 

[Dec.  14,  1  i30j  It  was  Agreed  by  Vote  that  ut  Judds  Meadow  According  to 
Ihetr  &mUie8  thej  Shall  have  their  School  Money  According  to  their  list— And 
Woeter  Swamp  and  Bucks  Hill  Shall  have  the  aame  priviUidge  provided  Each 
party  Keep  and  Maintain  A  acbool  aceordbg  to  the  Intent  of  the  Law  In  that 

Case. 

[Thon  follow  listf!  of  fainilios  at  tlii>^<'  ■-(•voi  al  place;*.  It  will  be  noticed  that 
Isaac  Broubou  i^]placed  with  the  Judd'.s  Meudow  people.] 

Familiea  at  Jud^t  JtfMw.*— Serg.  Joeeph  Lewia,  Sunl.  Scott,  John  Andnus, 
Joa.  Lewis,  Jr.,  Edmund  Scott,  Jr.,  John  Bamefli  SamL  Barnes,  John  Johnson, 

James  Brown,  Kbonezcr  IIick(»x,  Sanil.  Warner,  Sen.,  Baml.  Warner,  Jr.,  Isaac 
Bronson.  At  ]Vn.itrr  Swamp : — .Tonathaji  Si  ott,  Sen.,  Joiiatliaii  Seott,  Jr.,  (ler- 
(*hom  Scott,  David  Scott,  Samuel  Tlioina.«,  El)enezer  Warner,  Kltenezt  r  IJiehaison, 
Doct.  John  Warner,  Geo.  Welton,  Jas.  Williams,  Jo8.  Nichols,  Joua.  Kclbey,  Abra- 
ham Utter,  John  SuHiflT,  Isaae  Castle,  Jos.  Hwlbnt,  Benrj  Cook.  At  BueU' 
hiU  4Serg.  Richard  Welton,  Richard  Welton,  Jr.,  Bei\j.  Womer,  John  Woraer, 
Obadiah  Womer,  Jo.«oph  Judd,  Wm.  S<ott. 

Dec.  10,  1734  Voted  that  A  School  he  keep  by  A  Sehool  Ma.<ter  tlie  Whole 
year  Followinp  As  the  Law  Directs  be<riniiinj^  In  January  Next  and  to  I»e  Keep 
Seven  Months  In  the  Town  Kpot  And  Nine  Weeks  In  the  North  wci^t  tarius 
[Wooster  Swamp]  And  Seven  Weeks  in  the  South  farms  [JuddTs  Meadow]  provi- 
ded that  there  be  not  less  than  Seren  Scholers  In  the  School  And  If  thej  fail  In 
Any  part  of  t  Town  the  Money  to  Go  to  those  parts  of  the  Town  that  Maintain 
the  School  With  Scholars. 

Li  1717,  an  amended  school  law  was  passed,  requiring  each 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


238 


HIBTOItT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


town  ill  the  Colony  having  seventy  families  to  maintain  a 
Bcli<v>l  ;it  least  eleven  months  in  a  vear.  The  above  vote  is 
the  lirst  indication  that  the  families  in  Watcrbury  had  reached 
that  nnmber,  bringing  them  within  the  proviBions  of  the  law. 

Decern'  IS^  1787  It  was  voted  that  [the  Bchool  for  the  year  ensuing  shall  be 
keept  twenty  one  weeks  In  the  town  spott  and  twelve  weeks  at  Woeter  Society 

and  six  weeks  up  the  river  and  six  weeks  att  Jadd\H  Meadow  and  also  three  weeks 
att  liueks  Hill  on  such  ConditiiMiB  that  add  schools  shall  maintain  seven  Schokn 
at  each  School. 

It  seems  intended  in  this  vote  to  proportion  the  number  of 
weeks  which  the  school  waa  to  be  maintiuned,  in  these  several 
places,  to  the  number  of  scholars  to  be  accommodated  in  each. 
The  same  schoolmaster  nsaallj  taught  all  the  schools,  going 
from  place  to  place. 

After  a  new  meeting  honse  had  been  erected,  it  was  ascer- 
tained that  the  old  school  house  was  not  in  keepin*^  with 
the  other  iinju-ovementrt  on  the  green.  A  movement  was 
niado  in  Feb.  lTo()-31,  dccjigned  to  secure  a  new  school  houso 
of  increased  dimensions  and  improved  style.  But  the  pro- 
ject was  promptly  voted  down  in  t<)wn  meeting.  The  people 
were  not  disposed  to  enter  into  new  enterprises  involving  ex- 
pense. In  December  following,  however,  they  changed  their 
minds,  "  and  voted  to  build  a  school  house  of  twenty  foot 
Sfpiare  on  the  meeting  house  green."  They  changed  again  on 
the  twelftli  of  December,  1732,  and  "concluded  that  they 
would  not  build  a  school  house."  At  the  same  time  they  *^al- 
lowed  the  charge  of  five  pounds  9  shillings  and  sixpence,  for 
geting  and  drawing  timber  for  the  school  house,  the  timber 
to  be  the  towns."  We  hear  nothing  more  of  the  enterprise 
till  December,  1743,  when  the  town  granted  liberty  to  set  a 
school  house  where  the  old  house  stood."  Each  school  dis- 
trict or  society  built  its  own  house. 

In  December,  1738,  a  vote  was  passed  to  divide  the  school 
moneys  among  the  diflTcrent  societies  "  according  to  their  lists 
of  est.ate."  In  December,  1749,  the  first  society  of  Waterbuiy 
was  divided  into  four  districts  for  school  purposes,  to  wit. 
Town  Plot,  (town  center,)  ]5uck^hill,  Judd's  ^leadow  and 
Breal<neck,  each  (provided  iifteen  scli«»lars  were  furnished)  to 
have  its  proportion  of  scliooling  and  school  money. 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


mSTOBY  OF  WATERBUBV. 


239 


The  school  lands  vhich  came  from  the  half  of  the  £150 
propriety  were  at  first  rented.  The  rents  were  considered  as 
at  the  disposal  of  the  town.  Thej  were  appropriated,  for  a 
time,  to  various  public  objects,  besides  the  maintenance  of 
schools,  without  apparently  any  show  of  right.  I  observe, 
however,  no  instance  of  such  misappropriation  afteV  1714. 

The  rentinjj^  of  the  school  hinds,  tlie  repair  of  tlie  fences,  and 
the  care  of  tliem  jjenerallv,  occasioned  much  trnuVdc  and  s<»ine 
h>ss.  A  eoniniittee  was  therefore  a]>jtointed,  in  17?A,  to  devise 
a  phm  for  tlie  lei^al  and  ytroju  r  disposal  of  these  lands.  They 
reported  Dec.  lOtli,  aud  recommeuded 

That  s  Conunittee  be  uppointodto  make  Sale  of  AH  the  School  Land  and  pro- 
priety belonging  to  the  Same  And  that  ad  Oommitlee  make  Sale  of  all  the  Meadow 

Lotts  to  the  Highest  Bidcr  att  Some  public  time  and  that  Committee  be  Inipow- 
orcil  to  (live  Deeds  to  Siu'h  persons  as  Shall  (Jive  most  for  8d  Lotts  and  out  Lundit 
whicli  Deeds  Shall  he  lield  Good  to  the  (irantee  for  the  term  of  Nine  Hundred 
isincly  Nine  jcara  and  that  the  buvcr  ShuU  pay  the  Money  Down  or  mortgage 
Lands  for  the  Seeority  of  -Uie  principle  and  Qive  bonds  yearly  for  the  Interest  of 
such  Sums  as  he  Shall  Oire  for  Such  perticniar  Lands  as  he  Shall  So  buy  and  that 
tlie  sd  Committee  Shall  Have  A  Scajtonnble  tune  to  [dispose  of]  the  propriety  and 
thf  Lamls  that  are  to  be  Laid  out  on  Sd  Ri«rht  and  it  is  to  he  understood  tlint  the 
ovit  Lands  Is  not  to  he  Sold  att  a  vandue  hut  to  he  Sold  to  tlu-  best  Chap  that  Said 
Committee  Cun  iind  aud  that  the  uses  of  the  money  wluch  the  Above  Sd  Landh 
Shall  Fetch  Shall  be  CkmTerled  to  the  use  of  Ae  School  In  Sd  Town  for  the  Said 
Term  of  Nine  Hundred  and  IHnety  Nine  years. 

[Signed]  Joseph  Lewis,  William  Judd,  Sam*!  Hikcoz,  CommittM, 
The  Above  Written  Bill  was  past  into  a  Vote. 

The  sales  commenced  almost  immediately.   John  Bronson, 

Jr.,  bought  the  school  and  in  Bucks  Meadow  for  408.  and  one 
penny  per  acre.  Tliree  and  a  liult'  aeres  at  Long  Meadow 
l)iought  £14, 13s.,  Nathan  IJeard  being  the  purchaser,  ^fany 
parcels  of  divided  lands  not  taken  up  were  sold,  at  difterent 
times,  for  ten  shillinijs  an  acre.  Tlie  ni<»nev  obtained  fn»ni  the 
sale  of  these  lands  was  to  be  managed  by  the  school  comniit- 
t('(\  mIk)  were  to  put  it  out  at  interest,  "  taking  mortgage  se- 
em iry  from  time  to  time."  Dec.  11,  1738,  a  vote  was  passed 
to  associate  "  the  town  clerk  for  the  time  being  "  with  the 
committee  in  the  management  of  these  moneys.  At  the  same 
time  tlie  town  l)y  vote  directed  that  the  receipts  from  the  fimd 
should  be  distributed  anmially  among  the  difierent  societies, 
according  to  their  sereral  lists  of  estate. 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


240 


mSTOBY  OF  WATEUBUBY, 


In  settling  the  claims  of  the  Hartford  and  AVindsor  proprie- 
tors to  the  hinds  in  Litchticld  County,  the  Coh>ny  obtained  tlic 
quiet  possession  of  seveti  townsliips  in  tlie  western  part  of  tlie 
County — Norfolk,  (inslien,  Canaan,  Cornwall,  Kent,  Salis- 
bury and  Sliarnii.  ]\y  tlie  aet  of  1733,  the  lan<ls  in  these  town- 
^  ships  were  to  be  sold  and  the  money  distributed  for  tlie  sup- 
port of  the  schools  in  the  Colony : 

Fir,  tlioi»c  8chooh  tluit  on^'ht  to  l)e  ki'pt  in  those  towns  that  are  now  cottlotl, 
and  that  did  inaku  aud  couipiito  li^Ls  of  their  pulU  and  ratable  estate  in  the  vear 
la«t  past,  and  such  towiin  shall  receive  said  money,  every  town  according  to  the 
proportion  of  said  list,  and  each  parish  to  receive  in  proportion  according  to  their 
own  llat  given  in  as  aforesaid  the  last  year ;  all  which  money  sliaU  be  let  out,  and 
tlie  interest  thereof  improved  for  the  support  of  the  respective  aohools  aforesaid 
forever,  and  to  no  other  use.   [Old  Statutes.] 

Tlie  money  received  by  Waterbury  from  the  sale  of  tliese 
"  Western  lands,"  so  called,  remained,  after  Westbury  and 
Korthbury  were  set  off,  in  the  hands  of  the  old  society.  Tlie 
latter  claimed,  with  some  plausibility,  that  tlie  new  parishes 
were  not  entitled  to  any  part  of  it,  and  declined  to  pay  over 
any  portion.  The  other  parties  contended  for  a  share,  the 
proportion  to  be  determined  by  lists  of  estate.  The  contro- 
versy waxed  wann,  and  the  town  meetings  were  agitated  by  it. 
In  December,  1741, 

There  having  been  conKidcrablc  d'i«cotir>e  about  the  money  coming  to  tl>c 
town  for  whiih  tin-  wc-'tfrii  liintl-^  >(>M  and  granti-d  for  the  iii^e  of  the  siho<d, 
and  not  agreeing  in  what  nii-thod  it  shoiihl  ln>  di<po-;(Ml  of,  [tlie  town]  did  by 
vote  agree  that  they  would  refer  it  to  some  intlitlereut  gentlemen  to  be  decided  by 
them  where  the  said  money  shall  be  disposed  for  the  use  above  said,  whether  it 
belongs  to  the  first  parish,  or  should  be  divide  among  the  several  parishes,  ac- 
cording to  what  thnr  lists  show  in  1782. 

The  '*  indifferent  gentlemen"  (who  were  named  by  vote)  • 
were  Col.  James  Wadsworth  and  Col.  Benjamin  Hall.  A  com- 
inittce  was  appointed  to  wait  on  them,  consii^ting  of  Ci\\)t. 
Hopkins  and  Serg.  Thomas  Porter,  (of  the  old  society,) 
Capt  Hickox,  (of  Westbnry,)  and  Dea.  Blakeslee,  (of  North- 
bnry.)  This  plan  of  settHng  the  difficulty,  it  is  presumed, 
was  not  satisfactory  to  the  discontented  parishes  ;  for,  it 
will  be  observc<1,  their  lists  were,  in  1732,  comparatively  smalL 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


Google 


/ 1  rn 


Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


HISTORY  OF  WATESBURY. 


241 


Xor  is  it  prohaMe  that  such  a  settltiUicat,  though  mutiuiUy 
agreed  on,  would  have  hetMi  tinal. 

Ill  1751,  the  outside  iiocictii-,  now  eom])rehendiiig  West- 
bury,  !Northl)uiy  aiid  tlie  part  of  Oxford  belonging  to  Water- 
bury,  secured  by  some  means  a  majority  of  votes,  in  town 
meeting,  and  in  December  of  that  year,  tlie  following  rote 
was  passed : 

It  was  voted  that  all  the  monies  giuen  to  the  sd  town  for  the  use  of  the  school 
in  sdd  town  that  said  town  drew  by  their  list  in  1782,  upon  account  of  the  sale  of 

fho  now  to\vnslijpf»,  or  westorn  hinds,  shall,  for  the  future,  he  divided  by  the  annu- 
al list  of  eai-h  parish,  for  the  use  of  [»he]  school  in  each  parif»h — and  that  A,  B 
mill  ('  he  a  committee  to  take  eare  of  haid  monies,  and  see  that  the  same  he  made 
Ui«e  of  according  to  the  law  in  that  ca^e  made  aud  provided.  And  ifcithcr  of  ^aid 
parishes  shall  neglect  to  Iceep  a  school  according  to  law,  then  said  committee  shall 
have  full  power  to  divide  the  said  moi^  to  and  between  those  pariahes  that  shall 
keep  their  school  as  aforesaid,  according  to  law ;  that  is  to  say  bj  their  reqiective 
iistn  as  aforesaid. 

The  committee  afterwards  named  to  stand  in  the  place  of 
A.,  B.  and  0.  were  Capt  Samuel  llickox,  Daniel  Potter  and 
Joseph  Bronson.  At  the  same  time,  certain  individuals  belong- 
ing to  the  first  society,  to  wit,  Dea.  Thomas  Clark,  Doct  Ben- 
jamin Warner,  Isaac  Bronson,  Robert  Johnson,  James  Kichols, 
Xieut.  JohnScovill,  Samuel  Scott,  James  Porter,  Thomas  Bron- 
son, Jr.  and  Lieut.  Tliomas  Porter,  ]>rotested  against  the  vote, 
and  (K'-ired  that  their  prote&t  uii^ht  be  entered  on  the 
records. 

But  it  wa>  ]u  <H  -sarv  tljat  tlie  town's  coniniitteo  sliouhl  tirst 
<]jet  eontrol  <tt"  the  money  in  di>j)iUe  wliieli  was  now  in  tiie 
possession  of  the  seliool  eomnnttee  of  tlie  tirbt  society.  A  vote 
was  therefore  passed,  which  is  as  follows : 

Whereas  the  first  society  in  sd  town  have  by  their  committee  taken  all  the 
moniee  and  bonds  that  was  given  to  town  for  the  use  of  a  sehool  in  «d  town 
as  afnrcsaitl  into  their  po'»se««sion,  and  used  the  fame  fi>r  the  school  of  said  society 
otilv,  tor  some  years  past — It  is  therefore  at  this  f^anie  uieetiii;:  voted  that  A,  B 
and  C  be  u  committee  in  the  behalf  of  Maid  town  to  make  u  lawful  demand  of 
monies  and  bonds  of  the  said  school  committees  of  the  said  first  society,  and  upon 
receiving  of  the  same,  they,  the  said  A,  B  6  C,  are  hereby  impowered  to  change 
the  same  when  they  become  changeable  by  taking  said  bonds  and  noteit  unto 
themselves  sad  snccessors,  as  a  rommittee  for  said  town  for  the  time  V)einp,  and 
for  want  ofsiiid  eonmiittee,  to  the  select  men  of  said  town  Im-  ilie  tiiiu-  lieini:,  m»  as 
said  monies  ma)'  be  disfiosed  of  for  the  use  of  the  i!chool[sJ  of  said  town  ua  alorc- 
said,  and  in  no  ofher  way. 

IG 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


242 


inSTOBY  OF  WATEKBUBV 


Tlie  bul>ject,  however,  does  not  a}>pear  to  h.ive  been  finall}* 
disposed  of  by  the  prece<ling  action,  and  in  Marcli,  1770,  it 
was  ai^ain  broui^ht  belnre  a  town  meeting.  A  vote  was  ]>iis>t  d 
(k'c-hiring  that  thence  forward  the  moneys  derived  from  the  sale 
of  the  western  hmds  shoukl  be  forever  divi(kM]  auK  mg  tlie  several 
8(»cieties  and  i)arts  of  societies  of  tlie  town,  whether  then  in  ex- 
istence or  wliich  might  be  brought  into  existence,  according  to 
their  several  "  claims." 

This  vote  gave,  of  conrse,  great  dissatisfaction  to  the  first 
society,  and  the  school  committee  solemnly  protested  against  it, 
as  follows : 

WhweM  tfie  Hob.  Genenl  Amembly  [&c.]  granted  cntainmoiieyf  [&c.]  toUie 
first  society  in  Weteriirarj  for  the  nse  of  the  schools  in  said  first  society  foroTor* 
— And  whereas  the  inhabitants,  [fte,]conTened  in  town  meeting,  have  TOCed  [Ac] 

contrary  to  the  laws  of  tln^  colony — 

Therefore,  we  the  suli,-»  rihors,  sehool  coniniittee  in  sd  first  (-oeiety,  do  enter  this 
our  protest  against  ed  vote  us  being  unlawful,  inequitable  and  injurious  to  posterity 
•^nd  reque8t  that  thosame  may  be  recorded. — ^Dated  this  12th  day  of  March  A. 
D.  1770. 

[Kgned]  Jonathan  Baldwin,  Isaac  Bronson,  Jr.,  Eira  Bnmson,  Benben  Blakes- 

lec,  eonimittec  of  the  first  society  of  Watcrbury. 
Also  Mr.  Isii.K  BroDSon  protested  agidnst  the  sd  vote  and  desired  the  same 

miglit  Ije  recorded. 

When  the  new  societies  came  to  be  made  independent 
towns,  the  disputes  concerning  the  school  and  ministerial 
moneys  were  renewed,  the  old  town  setting  up  an  exclusive 
claim.  Controversy,  law-suits,  derangements  of  the  currency 
and  bad  management  finally  settled  all  questions  by  dissipating 
all  the  moneys. 


*  ThU,  it  will  be  noticed,  is  nut  the  language  of  the  Uw  that  mude  the  grant. 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


UISTOKY  OF  WATEBBUKY. 


243 


CHAPTER  XVL 

roi'ULATION  lXCB£Ai9£S:  IMHIGKATION. 

Previoi  s  to  1710,  but  a  siii^rle  addition  luid  been  made  to 
tbo  populiition  nf  Waterburv  from  foroiirTi  poiirces — that  nt' 
Josepli  Lrwis.  About  ITlo,  (•!•  soon  after,  Thomas  Chirk  join- 
ed tlie  scttk'ment.  In  1711,  Zachariali  liaklwin  from  Milt'ord, 
made  his  a]>i)earance,  and  was  accepted  as  a  £40  proi»rietor. 
In  ab<»ut  two  years,  liowever,  liis  courage  had  all  oozed  out. 
He  sohl  everything,  including  '*  building  and  other  timber," 
and  slipped  away  qnietly.  With  these  three  exceptians,  there 
were  no  accessions  of  settlers,  or  intended  settlers,  from  other 
towns,  till  after  1720.  The  peace  of  1713,  however,  had 
brought  comparative  quietness  and  secarity,  and  was  followed 
by  brighter  prospects.  Bemovals  became  less  frequent.  The 
young  men  who  bad  given  so  much  trouble  were  with  less 
difficulty  constrained  to  settle  around  the  family  homestead. 
Some  of  those  who  had  quit  in  the  darker  days  of  the  settle- 
ment, returned.  Such  was  the  fact  with  Dr.  Ephraim  Warner, 
William  Judd,  Moses  Bronson,  Dr.  John  Warner  and  a  few 
others.  There  was  a  moderate  accession  to  the  ]>opulation 
from  natural  increase.  Previous  to  1720,  much  the  greatest 
proportion  of  the  inhabitants  lived  in  or  near  the  town  center. 
A  few  fainilit'S,  considerably  le>s  than  a  iIo/am  in  all,  juobably, 
had  settled  at  I>nckshill,  Judd's  Arcad<»w  and  Dit-akneck,  The 
remainder  of  the  tt»wn  was  still  a  w  ilderness.  From  1090  to 
1713,  the  taxable  list  in  the  town  varied  from  £1,55-1  in  1604 
to  £-2,415  in  1712.  In  17K3  it  was  £2,154  and  in  1720  £2,757. 
Probably  the  population  had  not  increased  in  proportion,  at 
tlie  last  date. 

The  lii*st  new  name  that  appeare  on  the  town  records,  after 
1720,  was  that  of  Ctershom  Fulford,  son  of  Abraham,  of 
Woodbury.  He  was  admitted  an  inhabitant,  Feb.  28, 1721-2, 
and  received  a  ^rant  of  eight  acres  of  land  in  the  seques- 
tered land.''  He  entered  into  covenant  with  the  town,  as 
follows : 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


lUaTOBY  OF  WATESBUJiY. 


We  the  Bubaertben  do  eoTvnant  to  and  with  Gerdiom  Fnlfoni  that  if  the  above 
ad  Fttlford  do  come  and  coliabit  in  the  above  said  town  as  our  blackcmith  and  prac- 
tice his  trade  among  ua  for  the  term  of  seven  years  next  after  the  date  above  said 

and  perform  articles  as  our  bachelors  have  done,  that  then  the  laud  given  liy  sub- 
scription and  hy  vote  to  l>e  bis  own  and  hi-'  heirs  forever — And  if  the  sd  Fiill'ord 
do  fail  of  thi^  obligation,  then  the  land  given  to  bim  hy  subscription  to  return  to 
the  Bubscribcni — Wc  say  this  knd  to  be  taken  up  in  the  undivided  land. 

Fulford  Bacceeded  Dea.  Jndd,  (now  Bomewbat  advanced  in 
life,)  and  was  the  second  blacksmith  of  the  town.  In  process 
of  time,  he  was  raised  to  the  dignity  of  town  brander.  He 
had  a  large  family  and  died  in  Watertown  in  1790,  aged  90. 

James  Brown  was  one  of  the  patentees  named  in  the  town 
patent  of  1720 ;  but  he  was  not  then  a  resident  of  the  place. 
He  was,  however,  "of  Waterbury"  in  Sept.  1722,  and  was,  so 
fur  a.s  can  be  jiscertaiiicd,  tlie  fourth  addition  to  tlie  peniiaiK-nt 
population  of  the  town,  from  outside  sources,  after  17')0.  He 
was  the  second  indi viduali^Fiilt'onl  being  the  first)  from  aluoad 
not  a  proprietor  by  grant,  who  became  a  settler.  Ilis  wil'e  was 
Elizabeth  Kirby,  by  whom  he  liad  eiglit  cliildren  born  in  New 
Haven  and  two  born  in  AVaterbury.  He  settkMl  on  tlie  New 
Haven  road  east  of  Judd's  Meadow  and  was  licensed  bv  the 
Countv  Court  as  a  tavern  keeix  r  ;  but  Fold  out  in  173Tto  Jot-iah 
Terrel  of  Milford,  removed  to  Westbury,  and  resided  on  what 
is  now  known  as  the  "  Buckingham  place."  He  is  memorable 
as  being  the  first  Churchman  of  AVaterbury,  and  was  in  deris- 
ion called  Bishop  Brown.  His  death  took  place  in  1760,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-five.   In  1722  he  wrote  by  proxy. 

The  next  permanent  settler  of  Waterbnry*  appears  to  have 
been  Nathaniel  Arnold,  Sen.,  of  Hartford.  He  was  appointed 
grand  jnror  in  Dec.  1723,  and  at  the  same  time  received  a 
grant  from  the  town  of  ten  acres  of  land  on  David^s  Brook,  on 
condition  that  he  should  abide  in  the  town  four  \  ears.  He 
married  the  widow  (and  his  son  Nathaniel,  bom  in  1704,  the 
daughter)  of  John  Kichason,  deceased.  He  lived  on  the 
nortli  side  of  "West  Main  street,  near  where  "William  R.  Hitch- 


*  8*nmd  Clilile.ttcr  (so  written)  appcarfi  to  hare  settled  in  thf  oouth  |>art  of  the  town  In 
tnHf  but  be  diaappearcU  about  172b,  after  having  auM  land  to  Jaiuen  Brown. 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


UI6TORV  OF  WATKKlil  UV. 


245 


cock  now  resides.  He  afterwards  removed  to  Westbuiy, 
where  he  died  Sept.  Id,  1753.  His  son,  Capt.  Natiiantel  Ar- 
nold, settled  at  Wooster  Swamp,  had  a  farm  tliere,  and  died 
Mav  12, 1777. 

William  Liulinjjton,  of  East  Haven,  and  John  Williams,  a 
clothier,  had  i;raiits  of  sequestered  land  about  tlie  same  time 
as  Arnold,  and  on  similar  conditions.  I  vsuppose  Ludin«;^ton 
hecanie  a  resident  of  the  town,  ami  thus  secured  his  tjrant  of 

ei<i:ht  acres  in  tiie  sequestered  land;"  hut  I  have  yet  discov- 
ered no  traces  ot"  him  after  tlie  ^n-ant,  till  1738,  when  he,  or 
one  bearing  his  name,  wiis  living  in  Xorthhurv,  (afterwards 
so  called.)  I  find  no  proof  that  John  Williams,  u  clothier, 
accepted  the  otfer  of  the  town,  or  became  au  iuliabitant  at  all. 

After  this,  it  does  notRcem  to  liave  been  necessary  to  en- 
conrage  immigration  by  land  j^rants  or  other  rewards.  Popu- 
lation flowed  in  spontaneously  and  with  considerable  ra]>idity. 
Names  yet  unheard  of  multiply  npon  the  records.  A  large 
proportion  of  tlie  new  comers  "located"  themselves  in  the 
northwest  and  north  parts  of  the  town,  (Watertown  and  Plym- 
outh,) these  sections,  till  now  having  been  entirely  neglected. 
They  came  from  various  towns  in  the  State,  Miiford,  New 
Haven,  (including  North  Haven  and  West  Haven,)  Derby, 
Woodbury,  Wallingford,  Branford,  Wethersfield,  &c.,  but 
more  were  from  Miiford  than  from  any  other  place.  James 
Blakeslee  (at  first  written  Bfachly)  came  from  West  Haven, 
(then  a  parish  of  New  Haven,)  in  1723.*  He  lived  on  the 
corner  of  East  and  North  Main  streets,  but  in  1733  sold  out  to 
Stephen  Sanford  of  Miiford,  and  bMiiiiht  of  the  heirs  of  David 
Scott,  a  house  and  three  acres  of  land  on  the  >outh  side  of 
*' Centre  S(|uare,"  next  west  of  Dea.  Clark's.  Isaac  Castle, 
Josejih  llurlltut  afwl  Samuel  Thonuis  came  from  Wtxitlbury, 
and  settled  at  Wooster  Swam|)  in  17-/>.  Jonathan  Prindle, 
"  son  of  Kleazer  of  ]MiItord,"+  settled  in  the  same  neighbor- 
hood in  1727.   2s'athau  Priudle,  from  Newton,  a  clotliier, 


*  TiiiH  <iatc  and  thnitc  which  follow,  refer  lo  lh«  tliB«  vhtD  the  ladlTldasls  nancd  art  fint 
met  with  a.<<  inhabitanUi  of  Watcrbury, 

t  8o  Mja  the  Waterbnrjr  niarrias*  lecord.  RtT.  A.  B.  Chapin,  In  \\\*  Sermon  on  the  rarl/ 
Churrhmen  of  Connecticut,  ]>vS9,»i»y^  thai  JoD>Ul»B  Prtodlt  of  Wattrlmry  WM  of  West  U«> 

Yen.   Ue  may  bave  been  originally  >o. 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


246 


HI8TOBT  OF  WATEEBUKT. 


lijitl  a  grant  of  two  acres  ol*  land  iij)  Great  Brook,  in  Jan. 
1727-8,  provided  he  would  build  a  fulliug  inill  in  tour  years. 
Ho  was  a  resident  of  the  town  at  that  date.  He  sold  out  his 
house  and  mill  in  1737,  to  Nathaniel  Arnold. 

Jonatlian,  Stephen  and  El)enezer  Kelsey  were  sons  of 
Stephen  Kels(>y  of  Wethersfield  and  grandsons  of  John  Bron- 
son  Ist  of  Waterbury.  Jonathan  came  as  early  as  1725; 
Stephen  in  1727  and  Ebenezer  before  1732.  Jonathan  moved 
to  Bethlehem,  tlien  a  part  of  Woodbur^^,  about  1735  or  1736, 
where  he  became  a  deacon. 

James  Baldwin,  from  Newark,  N.  J.,  settled  at  Judd's 
Meadow  in  1727.  He  lived  on  FulUng  Mill  Brook  in  1740, 
where  he  owned  a  grist  mill,  and  died  in  Derby.  John  John- 
son of  Derby  settled  at  Judd's  Meadow  about  the  same  time  as 
lialdwin.  llis  son  Silence  is  first  mentioned  seven  yeai*s  hiter. 
James  J<>lin>on  w;i.^  in  Waterhurv  as  earlv  as  17*27.  Joseph 
Smith  of  Derby  eauK'  in  1727.  Nathan  Jieard  of  Stratford  ^et- 
tk'd  in  Waterbnrv  about  1728,  and  lived  on  the  we>t  >\do  of 
AVillow  street,  a  few  rods  above  Grove.  Henry  Cook  was  ad- 
mitted an  inhabitant  in  Jan.  1728-1*.  James  Williams  of  Hart- 
ford and  "NVallinirlbrd  became  a  rt  sident  of  the  town  in  1729  ; 
boufrht  a  house  and  some  land  in  that  year  near  the  road  to 
Scott's  Mountain  on  Steel's  Brook;  built  a  corn  mill  and  saw 
mill  near  where  the  factory  of  the  Uakville  Co.  stands,  the  com 
mill  being  in  the  boundary  lint)  which  was  afterwards  drawn 
between  Wustbury  and  Waterbury.  In  1739,  he  sold  his 
house  and  half  the  mills  to  Stephen  Welton,  son  of  George. 
Kobert  Johnson,  a  shoemaker  and  tanner,  came  in  1729  and 
settled  on  Burnt  mil.  £phraim  Bissell  of  Tolland  first  ap- 
peared in  Jan.  1728-9,  when  he  was  admitted  an  inhabitant. 
John  Sutliff  settled  in  the  northwest  quarter  near  the  river,  in 
1730.  Nathaniel  Merrel  of  Hartford  became  a  settler  in  1730. 
Abraham  Utter  came  from  New  Ilaven  in  1730,  and  was  liv- 
ing near  Scott's  Mountain  in  1735.  Jonathan  GamBcy  of  Mil- 
ford  bought  Stejihen  Hopkins'  place,  in  Dec.  1729,  which  he 
exchanixed  with  Thomas  liarnes  in  1735.  lie  finally  removed 
to  Westbury  and  >(.'ttK'»l  in  the  ])art  called  (iai-nj>ey town.  He 
became  a  deacon  <»f  the  Westbury  ("liui-eli  and  died  .lune  1-4, 
1770.    John  Garusey,  also  of  Milford,  cauie  several  years 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HISTORY  OF  AVATEliBUBY. 


247 


later,  appearlug  first  at  Wooster  and  then  in  Northbary. 
Caleb  lliomson  of  New  Haven  settled  in  the  sontihweet  })art 
of  the  town.   lie  was  admitted  an  inhabitant*  in  Dec.  1730. 

Ebenezer  Hopkins,  Stephen  Hopkins  and  Isaac  Hopkins, 
brothers,  came  tVom  Hartford.  Tliey  were  nephews  of  John 
Hnj»kins,  Ibt,  uf  AVatcrlnir  v,  and  si  mis  j)rol)a1)ly  of  El>cnezer. 
TIk'v  all  Fettk'd  in  AVuterhurv  alxuit  17*>0.  Isaac  died  in  AVol- 
cott  in  1S05,  aired  OH.  J(..v,^.pli  Nichols  had  lived  on  Loii^ 
Island,  hut  came  to  Waterbiiry  from  Derby.  He  settU'<l  at 
Wooster  as  early  as  1730,  and  died  1733.  Samuel  Tow  ner, 
Dea.  Samuel  l]rown  and  Elnathan  Taylor  (the  last  from  North 
Haven)  settled  in  the  northwest  f^narter  about  1731.  James 
Hull  and  John  Alcock  from  New  Havcn^  Ebenezer  Blakeslee 
of  North  Haven,  and  Josejdi  Gillet  were  admitted  inhabitants 
in  Dec.  1731.  Thomas  Blakeslee  of  New  Haven  pcttlcd  in  the 
northwest  quarter,  near  the  river,  withafamilj,  in  1731  or  1732. 
Moses  and  Jacob  Blakeslec  appeared  seyeral  yeare  later. 
Ebenezer  Elwell  of  Branford  settled  in  Northhury  about  1732 
and  died  in  1757.  Joseph  Lathrop  of  Norwich  settled  in  West- 
bury  (9)  about  1732,  had  five  children  bom  in  Waterbury,  and 
returned  to  Norwich  after  1745.  Jonathan  Baldwin  came  from 
Milford  in  1733.  He  and  his  son  Jonathan  were  both  leading 
men  of  onr  town.  James  Prichard  from  Milford  settled  in 
Waterbury  in  1733,  and  died  in  1749.  Daniel  Curtis  from 
Wallingford  came  to  Waterbnry  about  1733  and  settled  in 
Northbnry.  Samuel,  James,  Elienezer  and  Jesse  Curtis  ap- 
]>cared  at  later  dates.  Nathaniel  Gunn  of  Derby  settled  in 
the  southwest  quarter  (Ountowii)  in  1734,  and  liad  ten  chil- 
dren, seven  of  them  born  in  Waterl)ury. 

At  still  later  i>eriotls  came  the  Foots  from  Ih-anford  ;  the 
Woosters  and  Weeds  from  Derl>y;  tlie  Fords,  I lotchkis>es, 
Frosts,  Royees,  and  later  Cooks,  from  Wallimr:tord  ;  the 
Todds,  Huniastons,  Tuttles  and  I*t»tters,  from  North  IIa\en; 
the  Reyuoldses  from  Coventry;  the  lioots  from  Faruiiiigton ; 
the  Gamps  and  Fenus  from  MUlbrd. 

*  There  wm  atov  of  theOeleBj  nade  for  Utepurpnue  of  protecting;  the  people  a^ratntt 
**ptr«oa8  of  an  aagorerned  coorerMtion,"  who  miKht  prove  "viciou*.  clmrKf  abl.-  himI  l.urthen- 
Mnetothe  place*  where  they  romf.,"  requiring  that  all  persons  Wforf  t!u  y  couM  become  In- 
haMUnle  ilwitfi  be  accepted  bj  a.  uujor  vole  of  the  tovn.  A  few  only  of  iho«e  admitted  iu  Wa> 
terbory  are  recorded. 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


248 


IlISTOBY  OF  WAT£KBU&Y. 


13v  iiK'iiTis  of  additions  I'mni  witlnmt  and  tin-  natural  increase 

■ 

from  within,  the  i><>i)nlati<>n  of  Wat('rl)nrv  rai>i<lly  an<:nK'ntcMl 
attor  ahont  17-4.  Aeeordint^  to  niy  cstiniato,  there  Wi-re,  in 
17-7,  ovi-r  three  hundred  >ouls;  in  17o4.  nearly  tive  hundred; 
in  17a7,  al)*>ut  nine  hun<h\'(K  and  in  1741>,  ahont  fifteen  liun- 
dred.  The  first  enumeration  was  in  17.">*>,  wlieu  there  were 
1,S21»;  the  next  in  1774,  when  there  were  ;>,53ti. 

There  is  in  the  old  town  hook  a  list  of  the  frecinen  of  \Va- 
terbury,  which,  to  those  not  familiar  with  the  names,  is  l>ut 
little  value,  owing  to  the  omission  of  dates.  The  qualilica- 
tions  of  a  freeman  were  a  quiet  and  peaceable  behaviour  and 
civil  conversation,'*  t\\  enty-onc  yeai-s  of  age,  and  a  freehold 
estate  of  the  value  of  forty  shillings  per  annum,  or  forty 
pounds  personal  estate.  Hie  list  referred  to  is,  in  its  com- 
mencement, in  the  handwriting  of  Thomas  Judd,  Jr.  Ilis 
catalogue  contains  twenty-seven  names,  and  bears  internal  ev- 
idence of  having  been-  made  out  between  1693  and  1702.  The 
persons  named  may  be  regarded  as  the  freemen  of  Watcrbur}' 
between  those  dates  and  aftei'wards.  Whenever  a  person  died 
or  removed  from  the  town,  his  name  was  crossed  with  a  pen. 

To  this  list  of  twenty-seven  freemen,  were  added  by  the 
Inind  of  Di'a.  Tiiomas  Judd  tin*  mimes  of  seven  ]>er>on>,  made 
freemen  doul)tless  whih-  he  wa^town  elerk.  tVtMu  I7*'l'  to  1712. 
Then  .-^ix  nann'>  are  scrawled  by  Jolni  Judd  when  lie  wa>  vr*j:- 
ister,  between  Dec.  1713  and  I)rc.  1717.  I'hen  AViUiam 
Judd's  record  commences,  lie  lield  otHci'  tour  years  and  du- 
ring the  time,  (no<late  being  given.)  nnuh'  uj>  a  new  roll.  Four 
only  of  the  names  wliich  ai'e  entered  l>y  luni  are  new. 

I  give  below  the  lists  of  tlie  four  successive  clerks,  omitting 
from  the  last,  or  William  Judd^s  catalogue,  all  except  the  four 
new  names : 

Enmgn  Timothj  Rtanlcy,  John  Welton,  Sen.,  Dm.  Ttiomas  Judd,  Tlininag  Judd, 
Jr.,  Benjamin  Riirncs,  S»'if;.  Isaac  Bron.<on,  Joseph  Gaylord,  i^rn.,  Aluuliani  -Vn- 
druss,  Sen.,  John  lloitkin-*.  Stcjilicn  I'p^DH,  K'lriimul  Scittf,  .T(<lin  Scovill,  .lulin 
Richanls,  Isaac  Hroii.-ion,  Jr.,  David  Jkolt,  John  Jiultl,  J«>lm  Bronson,  Samuel 
Uickox,  George  Scott,  Thomas  RiehaMm,  John  Ricbwion,  Ephnlm  Warner,  Jo- 
seph Gaylord,  Jr.,  Samuel  StanleT,  Stephen  Welton,  John  Warner,  Sen.,  Obadiah 
Richards. 

Wiltiaui  ITickox,  .T(w.  ph  T,>  wi^,  Daniel  Warner,  Jonathan  Scott,  Richard  Wdton, 

Tli'titiiis  UioliJirds.  n.ii  1.  !  r.u  li  r,  Jr. 

Thomas  Clurk,  Tliumu.s  ilickox,  Thomas  Barnes,  Jeremiah  I'cck,  Stephen  Up- 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HI8TOKT  OF  W'ATKKBURY. 


249 


ton,  Jr.,  WilKMn  Judd,  Sen.,  [son  of  Philip,  fometimes  eaDed  **  Willfaim  Jndd, 

tailor."] 

William  Judd,  [the  clerk,]  ThooiM  Bronaoo,  Stephen  Hopkios,  £benexer 

Broiison. 

[Mr.  Soutliiuayd  wiui  chosen  rcgintor  ia  Dec.  1721,  ami  lie  seems  to  have  udded, 
from  time  to  time,  (withont  date  agniu,)  the  munes  of  other  freemm  u  they  were 
admitted.] 

Ohadiuli  Scott,  Tiniotliy  Ilopkinc,  Benjamin  Warner,  Goorp;e  Welton,  Kathauiel 
Arnold,  John  Soutliniayd,  Samuel  rm  tcr,  Samuel  Hickox,  El)ene7.er  Hickox, 
Siunuel  Harnes,  Tliomiui  Richards,  Jr.,  John  Si-ovill,  Joseph  Smith,  Thomas 
Andruss,  Thomas  Uik^ou,  John  Upsiua,  Jouatliau  Trindle,  Thomajj  liickox,  John 
Barnes,  Bbeneser  lUdiaeoii,  WUUam  Scott,  Samad  Beott,  Jr.,  James  Porter, 
Thomas  Porter,  lUchnrd  Welton,  Jr.,  Obadiah  Warner,  Doct  John  Warner,  John 
Judd,  John  Bronson,  Joseph  Prime,  Nathaniel  Arnold,  Jr.,  Henry  Cook,  John 
Andrufis,  William  Seovill,  Jame<4  Ilaldwin,  John  Warner,  son  of  Ephraim,  David 
Scott,  Joseph  Jiuld,  James  Bkkcslee,  Ste|)licn  Kelsey,  Daniel  Porter,  fJcrshom 
Scott,  Gcrshum  FuU'urd,  James  Johnsuu,  Edmund  Scott,  sod  of  George,  Stephen 
Hopkins,  Jonsthaa  Ctemsej,  James  Hall,  Ebmeser  Warmir,  Daniel  Williams, 
Moses  Bronson,  Samuel  Thomas,  Thomas  Jndd,  Jr.,  Samuel  CSamp,  Jonathan 
Kel»ey,  Jonathan  Scott,  Jr.,  Samuel  Scott,  Sen.,  Obadiah  Richards,  Joseph  I<ewts, 
Jr.,  James  William!",  James  Prichard,  Daniel  IIow,  Joseph  Judd,  Isaac  Hopkins, 
Samuel  Warner,  son  of  Daniel,  Stephen  Welton,  Samuel  Judd,  Joseph  Hurlhut, 
Eleazer  Scott,  Ehenezcr  Warner,  son  of  Ephraim,  Jonathan  S<-ott,  son  ol  Ed- 
mund, John  Alcock,  Jonathan  Baldwin,  Timothy  Porter,  Nathan  Beard,  Caleb 
Thompson,  Obadiah  Scott,  son  of  Barid,  Isaao  Bronson,  Jr.,  Edward  Scorillt 
Stephen  Scott,  Joseph  Weed,  James  IHchids,  Thomsa  Bronstm,  Jr.,  Thomas  Mat- 
thews,  Mr.  Mark  Leavenworth,  Mr.  John  Trumbull,  Jonas  Weed,  John  Southmnyd, 
Jr.,  Caleb  Cl  irk,  Edmund  Thonipkins,  Jonathan  Foot,  Timothy  Judd,  Stephen 
Juild,  El)ene/er  Waklin,  Ehene/er  Richards,  fleorgc  Nichols,  Berijimiin  Bronson, 
Gideon  llotchki.<s,  Jacob  lilakci^lee,  Robert  Johnson,  Stephen  Welton,  Jr.,  Jotjhuu 
Porter,  John  Richason,  Samuel  Hickox,  WilKam  Aduus,  Peter  Welton,  Silas 
Johnson,  Joeiah  Bronson,  Nathan  Prindle,  Abljah  lUchards,  SSebolon  Seott,  Abra- 
ham Warner,  Mr.  Samuel  Todd,  Daniel  Southmayd,  Thomas  Lewis,  John  Garnsey, 
John  Warner,  Jr.,  Ehenezer  Porter,  Samuel  Reynolds,  Ahcl  Sutliff,  John  Weed, 
Samuel  Lewis,  Nathan  Hubbard,  Richard  Seymour,  James  Bellamy,  Ehenezer 
Baldwin,  Ebenezer  Trumbull,  Caleb  Uumu^ton,  Andrew  Weed,  Abel  Doolittle, 
Roger  Prichard,  Jr.,  Abraham  Andruss,  Josiah  Wamor. 

[At  this  point  Mr.  Southmayd  commences  by  giving  dates,  thus :]  Freemen 
made  April  11,  1748 — Andrew  Bronson,  Moses  Terrell,  Joseph  Osbom,  Benja* 
min  Matthews,  Jonathan  Cook,  Samuel  Root,  John  Rew,  Thomas  Doolittle,  Ste- 
phen Matthews,  Samuel  Darwin.  Ajitil  Itt,  1749,  James  Prichard,  Jr.,  David 
llumaston,  Abel  Camp,  Jo>cph  Upson,  Elam  Brown,  Daniel  Potter,  Enoch  Scott, 
Hoses  Cook,  William  Hickox,  Abraham  liickox,  Thomas  Upson,  Joseph  Brown, 
Asahel  Gistle,  Thomas  Cole,  Thomas  Richards,  Jr.,  EInathan  Judd,  Stephen  Upsoo, 
Jr.,  Moses  Bhkeslee,  Sd,  John  Blakeslee.  April  8, 1751,  Solomon  Moss,  Samuel 
Porter.  Sept.  17,  1751,  John  Brown,  Joseph  Sutliff,  Isaac  Jinld,  Bartbolomew  Ja- 
cobs, Aaron  Harrison.  Ziiehari.ih  Sanford.  April  13, 1762,  K»i^>tiwi  Welton, Thomas 
Welton,  Jr.,  Ebeuczer  Ford,  iiuubcu  Blakeslee. 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


250 


mSTOET  OF  WATBRBUBT. 


CUATTEK  XYII. 
THE  SETTLEMENT  EXTENDS:  NEW  SOCIETIES. 

Before  1700,  all  tbe  people  of  Waterbury  lived  in  the  town 
center  or  its  immediate  neigliborbood.  The  house  most  dis- 
tant from  the  meeting  house  was,  I  believe,  Daniel  Warner's, 
(snpj)<>sed  to  have  l>een  built  bctore  1"00,)  situated  on  the 
iioi-th  side  oftlie  Fanuiui^ton  ntad,  a  little  east  of  the  dweliinyj^ 
iiKiikcMl  on  tlie  map  J.  11.  Sandland.  Stum  after  the  above 
date,  the  thoughts  of  the  pluutere  were  turned  to  the  more  dis- 
tant parts  of  the  town. 

Thii  tir>t  peruianeut  settlement  lieyond  the  neiglihttrhci.d  of 
the  <»ld  village  api>ears  to  have  been  nuideat  Judtl's  ^Icad^w.* 
Tlie  lands  here  were  taken  up  and  improved  earlier  than  any 
other  which  were  so  far  removed  from  the  town  center.  Tlie 
first  settlers  were  Samuel  llickox,  Daniel  Warner  and  Joseph 
Lewis.  Tlickox  "located"  himself  on  Fulling  'Mill  Brookj 
where  he  had  already  built  a  bouse,  Dec.  21,  1702.  Here 
about  1709  be  erected  a  fulling  mill,  which  gave  its  name  to 
the  stream.  His  sons,  £benezer  and  Gideon,  settled  in  the  same 
neighborhood.  Daniel  Warner  is  believed  to  have  removed 
to  Judd's  Meadow  a  little  later  than  Hickoz,  say  about  1705. 
In  that  year  he  sold  his  honse  east  of  the  village.  He  took  np 
his  residence  near  Hickox,  on  the  brook,  which  was  some- 
times called  Daniel  Warner's  Brook.  His  house  is  alluded  to 
Aug.  1708.  His  sons,  8amuel,  Ebenezer,  and  Abraham,  re- 
mained in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  Josejth  Lewis  settled 
on  the  west  side  of  the  river  below  the  })rL^«ent  bridge,  and 
owned  much  land  thwa  which  extended  far  to  the  south. 
There  are  no  facts  which  show  the  exact  time  uf  his  settlement. 


*  This  name  it  first  used  ia  the  IiidiAD  deed  of  IGSt-^S.  It  came,  doubtless,  from  Lieut.  Thoiuai 
Jiidd»  who  omwd  Undf  there  at  a  Teiy  earlr  date.  It  «m  Int  applied  to  ttie  oieadews  upon 
the  rtver,  but  aftcnraada,  the  whole  ioathera  eeetloii  of  the  tovn  was  thai  deelgaatfld. 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATEBBI7BT. 


251 


It  maj  have  been  soon  after  his  marriage  in  1703,  and  may 
have  been  not  till  seyeral  years  later. 

Those  who  next  established  themselves  at  Jadd's  Meadow, 
(all  I  believe  after  1714,)  were  John  Barnes,  Thomas  Richards, 
Obadiah  Scott,  Samuel  Warner,  Ebenezer  Richason,  James 
Brown  of  West  Haven,  Samuel  Barnes,  John  Andruss,  Samuel 
and  Edmund  Scott,  sons  of  Edmund,  JStepheu  IIo])kiiis  and 
Tliomas  Matthews.  Several  came  over  the  lini'  from  J)('rby, 
and  settled  near  the  southwetit  bounds — the  Juhnsons,  the 
Gunns  and  the  Weeds. 

Biiclvshill  was  fiist  settU-d  about  1703,  by  Jolm  Warner,  (af- 
terwards of  Westbury,)  Josejtli  (iaylord,  Jr.  an<l  Jolm  (lay- 
lord.  The  Gavlords  soon  removed.  In  17u8,  Richard  Wei- 
ton  bouirht  the  house  of  Josei»h  Gay  lord,  Jr.,  and  beeame  a 
permanent  settler.  He  lived  next  to  John  Warner,  on  the 
south.  The  latter,  after  several  yeai-s,  removed.  AVhen  Dr. 
Ephraim  Warner  returned  from  W«»odbury,  about  1715,  he 
seems  to  have  gone  to  Buckshill.  Several  of  his  sons  remained 
there,  while  he,  after  a  few  years,  came  down  to  the  village  to 
live.  I  find,  in  1729,  the  following  persons  with  families  liv- 
ing on  Buckshill — Serg.  Richard  Welton,  Richard  Welton,  Jr., 
Benjamin  Warner,  John  Warner,  (afterwards  of  Northbury,) 
Obadiah  Warner,  Joseph  Judd,  William  Scott,  Obadiah  Scott, 
Edmund  Scott?  son  of  G^rge,  John  Welton  I 

Breakneck  Hill  is  spoken  of  on  the  town  records  as  early  as 
1688.  Whence  came  the  name  I  know  not.  Barber  in  his  His- 
torical Collections,  and  Cothren  in  his  History  of  Woodl)urv, 
are  nustaken  in  their  accounts  of  its  ori<^in.  The  name  lii-t 
given  to  the  hill  \vu.->  in  a  little  tiuie  applied  to  uU  thai  part 
of  the  town  in  whieh  it  is  situated. 

Isaac  Bronson,  Sen.,  o\vne<l  land  at  Ihvakiieck  at  an  early 
])erio(l,  and  had  l)uilt  a  house  there  before  Api  il,  17<'l'.  Joseph 
(iaylord  and  John  I>ronson  may  have  lived  there  temj)orarily ; 
but  the  first  jiermaiient  settler  was  Isaac  Brousou,  ehlest  son 
of  Isaac.  He  became  a  resident  at  Breakneck  Hill  probably 
as  early  as  1T<U  or  1705,  certainly  before  March  27,  1707, 
when  his  oldest  son  Isaac  was  bom. 

The  first  house  which  was  erected  in  the  northwest  section 
of  the  town  appears  to  have  been  built  near  what  was  after- 
wards called   the  Tillage,"  about  1701,  by  Jolm  and  Obadiah 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


252 


HI8T0BY  OF  WATBBBUBY. 


Kicliar<l>,  sons  of  Obadiali.  The  Indian  disturbancer^  at  that 
period  probaMy  j^rc vented  its  permanent  occupation.  *'Kiclr 
av(\<'  lioiise"  and  the  buildings  are  occasionally  referred  to  in 
the  laying  out  and  conveying  of  land.  In  April,  1704,  Abra- 
ham  Andruss  sold  two  acres  on  a  hill  westerly  from  Kichards^s 
land,  where  their  honse  and  bam  is  west  of  Wooster 
Swamp."  The  house  is  again  mentioned  in  1709. 

Hie  village,"  (so  called,)  mentioned  in  the  last  paragraph, 
was  a  tract  of  land  in  the  northwest  comer  of  the  town,  bor- 
dering on  Woodbury  and  Litchfield,  the  fertility  of  which  had 
been  discovered  at  an  early  period,  and  which  at  an  unknown 
date  had  been  sequestered  to  prevent  its  being  taken  up  in  the 
ordinary  land  divisions.  In  Nov.  1722,  the  proprietors  agreed 
to  have  a  division  of  this  sequestered  land.  At  the  same 
time,  land  was  reserved  for  roads,  and  provision  made  for  a 
villaLce.    I  copy  from  the  record: 

It  wajj  agreed  by  vole  Unit  iu  dividing  of  tlii.'  Hociucvstcrod  land  at  the  \orth 
West  comer  there  shall  be  three  tears  of  Lotu^  viz,  a  highway  uext  Woodbury  of 
Two  Rods  wide,  and  then  half  a  mile  wide  of  Land  to  be  hud  out  in  lotts  and  Uien 
a  highway  of  eight  rods  to  run  north  and  sooth,  and  then  another  tear  of  half  a 

mile  wide  and  then  a  nother  highway  of  ei<:ht  rods,  and  then  a  nothor  tear  of  lotts 
a  half  a  mile  wide  and  then  a  hijrhway  on  the  cast  side  of  eif;ht  rod.«,  [Ae.]  and  the 
Cominitte  in  laying  out  the  lotts  to  leave  a  four  or  8ix  rod  highway  every  half 
mile  or  there  nboiits  through  the  tears,  no  lott  to  be  divided. 

Several  divisions  were  al'ti-rwards  made  of  tlie  vill:ijj:e  lands, 
l)iit  iin  settlement  seems  to  liave  Ijeeii  bi-^uu  there  for  sttnie 
time.  TIk'V  were  reiranlt-d  as  so  much  more  valuable  than 
the  other  undivided  laiuls  that,  in  some  of  the  divisions,  one 
acre  was  to  be  e<|nal  to  tive  acres,  (or  at  a  later  j)eriod,  to  two 
and  a  half  acres,)  iu  the  other  parts  of  the  town.  The  "vil- 
lage" is  now  cjiUed  Gariisoytown,  from  the  name  of  its  early 
settlers,  Jonathan  Garnsoy  and  his  sons  and  John  Gai-nsey. 

No  permanent  settlement  seems  to  have  been  made  in  the 
nortliwest  quarter  till  after  1720,  when  the  superior  agriculta- 
ral  capabilities  of  that  section  became  more  fully  known.  The 
first  permanent  settlers  were,  apparently,  Jonathan  Scott, 
Sen.,  (he  who  was  taken  captive  by  the  Indians,)  and  Ebene- 
zer  Kichason,  son  of  Thomas.  Scott  (and  his  sons)  lived  on 
Scott's  Mountain,  and  Richason  on  the  road  leading  to  the 
Mountain  and  near  to  it  and  to  Steel's  Brook,  on  the  southweat 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HIBTORT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


258 


side  of  the  latter,  (the  oM  Buckingham  place  i)  ITiM  niay  be 
Darned  as  the  probable  date  of  their  settlcinent.  liicliaf-oirs 
house  is  first  spoken  of  June  22y  1721.  Afterwards,  (1TJJ<5,)  I 
find  him  with  the  ^arthbury  people  and  soon  afler  in  the 
soQthwest  quarter.  In  1750,  he  lived  on  the  Woodbury  road, 
lu  1724,  or  perhaps  in  1723,  Dr.  John  Warner*^  (afterwards 
deacon)  took  up  his  residence  on  or  near  Steel's  Brook  and 
the  road  leading  to  Scott's  Mountain  and  Wooster  Swamp. 
Isaac  Castle,  Samuel  Thomas  and  Joseph  Hurlbut,  all  of  Wood- 
bury, sons-in-law,  the  two  first  of  John  Warner,  and  the  last 
of  Jonathan  Scott,  Sen.,  settled  at  Wooster  Swamp  about 
1725.  Jonathan  KeUey  made  his  appearance  about  the  same 
time.  Afterwards  came  Georp^e  Welton,  (about  1726,)  David 
Scott  aud  JuuR's  Williauis,  tlie  last  froui  Hartford. 

Dcsidcs  the  individuals  whose  names  are  mentioned  above, 
there  were  settled  at  Wooster,"  (as  the  ni»rt]iwcbt  part  of  the 
town  was  Munt'times  calh-d,)  in  Dec.  IToU,  the  followinir  jkt- 
soiis,  families,  to  wit:  Jonathan  Scott,  Jr.,  and  (ler- 

shom  Scott,  sons  of  Jonathan,  Khenezer  Warner,  son  of  John, 
JtKSfph  Nichols,  Abraham  Utter,  John  Siitlitf  and  Henry 
Cook,  seventeen  in  all,  or  tifteen  besides  Sutliti'and  Cook,  who 
were  not  limilly  included  in  the  society  of  Westbury.  The 
fifkcen  all  lived  in  the  eastern  and  northern  parts  of  the  future 
parish,  particulary  along  Steel's  l^M.ok  and  at  Wooster 
Swamp.  As  early  as  Nov.  1727,  a  highway  had  been  lai<l  out 
for  their  convenience  up  the  brook  and  so  to  the  village,'' 
which  was  afterwards  continued  to  Litchfield.  Hitlierto,  one 
half  the  settlers  had  been  from  other  towns,  and  nearly  the 
same  proportion  was  continued  in  the  years  which  immediate- 
ly followed.  After  1730,  the  population  increased  rapidly 
and  spread  in  every  direction.  The  ])eopIe  had  become  go 
numerous  in  1733,  and  were  so  incommoded  in  attending 
meeting,  that  they  began  to  think  of  obtaining  for  themselves 
**  winter  privileges  '  that  is,  the  privilege  of  hiring  for  them- 


•  John  Warner  wn*  the  first  physlcinn  of  Weitburj*.  Thoman  Foot  wa«  the  neeoml.  The  last 
came  from  Uruufuni  to  Wentbury  about  1736.  He  was  the  sod  of  John  and  Mary  Foote,  and 
MlUcd  «B  the  piMt  Mw  occupied  by  his  deacendaatt  Hoktrt  Scovlll.  Ut  married  BlnUiclh  Sal* 

llff  ;in<l  •li<'<l  Il>,  17Ti>    IhnU  Warner  and  Foot  were  «<>iii«  ttniM CftUcd  lOtO  Iht  OM  lOCictjr  to 

pi«»cril>t:,  as  appcus  fruiu  "  the  account  book"  of  I>ea.  Ciark. 


uiLjiii^ica  by  Google 


254 


HIBTQEV  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


solves  (luriiiij^  tlie  winter  inoiitli8,  at  tlieir  own  cxpcn^io,  a  luin- 
ister,  and  of  being  exempt  during  tlie  time  from  old  i>aritili 
rates.  In  October,  1732,  Uiey  petitioned  the  General  Court  as 
follows : 


That  whereas  a  Considerable  Number  ol'fauiUies  ia  the  Northwest  Corner  of  the 
bounds  of  Waterbury  town,  by  Reason  of  their  Great  IHstance  from  y*  meeting 
house  which  is  to  SeneraU  Nine  miles  and  to  those  that  are  nearest  about  three 
and  Exceeding  had  way  and  more  Espeoally  by  Keui^on  of  a  great  Riuer  wideh  Is 

cnll<Ml  Watpflniry  Hiiier  which  lor  fJroat  part  of  the  wiritor  and  Sprin^^  is  not  pass- 
ablo,  are  dchared  tlic  In-ariiiir  of  the  word  preaehf'd  to  Mn-  ntmihcr  of  ahono  thirty 
familte8,  having  luett  to  Gather  Sepr  and  appointed  in  behalf  of  m  Your  me- 
morialists the  Subscribers  then  and  there  to  petition  to  the  town  of  waterbury  for 
an  abatement  of  our  parts  of  the  ndnisters  Bate  for  the  q[iaee  of  four  months,  Yis. 
the  three  winter  nondis  of  tliis  present  winter  comfaig  and  the  month  of  march 
next  in  Case  wo  Slioidd  hire  a  minister  on  our  own  Cbaf^getO preach  the  word  among 
MS  whii  h  tlicy  tlu-  Kcst  of  ^^  town  Kefu-Jinfr  wi^  haiio  nppoiiitt'd  Deacon  Samuel 
15rn\v  II  and  Lieut:  Saiinu*!  Heacock  ourConitiiilti.c  to  Ki  ju  i-M  iit  and  Lay  our  Dificult 
>>urcum8tunce8  before  thLi  liouourublc  assembly  and  the  Humble  prayers  of  Your 
memorialests  Bam]  Brown  and  Sand  Heacoclc  in  l>ehalf  of  tliat  part  of  the  aforesd 
agriered  Inhabitants  being  for  Considerable  part  of  the  year  wholy  Debared  hear> 
ing  the  word  of  God  preached,  is  that  we  may  have  the  liberty  to  hire  a  min- 
ister for  the  Hpace  of  tlm^c  t'diir  iiKHitli-  Iwlore  inciitioticd  (hcin;r  the  most  Difi- 
cvdt  jiart  of  the  Vcar)  at  our  own  ('har;.'<'  and  that  we  may  also  hiivc  an  aliatcnn  nt 
of  our  parts  of  the  ministers  liate  and  Be  Disekarged  from  paying  the  minister  of 
the  town  of  waterbury  During  s*  four  months  as  we  liaue  aminister  among  ua 
ISther  for  this  present  Tear  or  for  alonger  time  as  Tou  in  Your  Great  wisdom 
sliall  tbinlc  best,  and  your  memorialests  shdl  as  in  Duty  Bound  Ever  pray. 
Dated  oct.  4th:  1782.  Sami.  naowx. 

Sam  I.  Hkacok. 

[The  preceding  is  from  the  original  file,  on  the  back  of  which  are  the  following 
names,  thirty-two  in  numl}er,  in  one  handwriting :] 
Cap.  Wm.  Heaooek,        Ebnr.  Warner, 
Dr.  John  Warner,  Elicazar  Scott, 

Mr.  John  Svjtloy,  Ebnr.  Kr'l«oy, 

Mr.  .Tnnatliaii  Scott,  Scnr.,  Jon'n  rriiidle, 
Jonatliun  Scott,  Juur.,       Nathaniel  Arnold, 

Wra.  Scofield, 
Thomas  Jud,  Junr., 
Obadiah  Scott, 

Edwd.  S(  ofu'ld, 
Tlionia.'^  lioacolc, 
SatuL  Jud, 


If  0SC8  Branson, 
Ebnr.  Bichardson, 
David  Scott, 

John  HroDson, 
(J<T-lioin  Scott, 
Sand.  Thomas, 


SamL  Towner, 

Henry  Coolc, 

Joseph  Ilurlbut, 
Elnathan  Taylor, 
Isaac  Caswell,  [Castle,J 
Joseph  Nicols, 
Jonath.  Kelsey, 
Jon*n  Foot, 
SamU  Heaooek, 
SamL  Brown. 


A  committee,  consisting  of  Mr.  Joseph  Lewis  and  Mr.  Ste- 
phen Upson,  was  appointed  by  the  town  to  apj)c>ar  before  the 
Assembly  and  oppijse  the  movement ;  but  the  prayer  was 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


IU8T0BY  OF  WATEKBUAY, 


255 


granted,  iiotwith&tandiiig,  aad  the  privilege  allowed  for  four 
yeai*s. 

Ill  the  mi<lst  of  the  nioveinent  of  population  to  tlie  north- 
west, or  March  13,  1732-3,  "the  centre  of  the  society  that 
sliall  there  be  allowed  "  to  the  extent  of  one  mile  and  a  lialf 
each  way,  making  a  tract  of  three  mile;^  s(piare,  was  seques- 
tered hy  the  proprietors  for  the  town's  use.  Tlie  act  wag 
not  to  prejudice  former  grants  and  divisions  not  laid  out. 
Wliat  its  object  was  does  not  appear;  but  I  suspect  it  was  de- 
signed to  retard  the  settlement  of  that  quarter  of  the  town. 
At  a  meeting  held  Jan.  12,1747-8,  '^the  proprietors  finding 
a  sequestration  made  at  Westbury  of  three  miles  square," 
did  by  their  vote    set  aside  and  make  void the  same. 

In  the  spring  of  1738,  "  the  northwest  inhabitants  "  asked 
the  Glener^  Assembly,  in  a  memorial,  to  set  th^m  off  as  a  dis- 
tinct sociefy.  They  said  that  they  had  hired  a  minister — ^Mr. 
'Daniel  Granger ;  that  they  are  universally  suited  in  him,'' 
and  flatter  themselves  that  "  he  is  not  ill  pleased  "  with  them. 
The  town,  they  continued,  had  already  "agreed  that  there 
may  be  a  society  in  the  northwest  quarter  of  the  bounds  in  a 
convenient  time,''  and  had  chosen  a  committee  of  six  to  run 
the  parish  lines.    Tlie  })etition  was  not  granted. 

Under  date  of  March  l-lth,  1733-4,  the  town  voted,  accortl- 
ing  to  the  record,  to  make  no  opposition  to  the  api»lication  of 
the  nort]iwe>t  inliabitants  to  the  General  Asseinl)lv  for  a  com- 
mittee  to  lix  the  bounds  of  the  new  society,  the  expense  being 
defrayed  l)v  the  latter.  A  few  davs  afterwai'ds,  at  another 
meeting,  the  foUowiug  action  was  bad : 

Voted  tliut  a  Committee  be  Chosen  by  the  Town  to  Consider  y*  Scirciiiiistances 
of  the  North  Weit  pari  of  the  Town  and  Settle  A  Hneln  order  to  Make  A  Society 
—And  Voted  thai  the  wonhipfiill  Joseph  WWtlng  Sq',  Ovp,  Boger  Nuton  of 
Milford,  dipt  John  RusmoII  of  Branford  be  a  Committee  to  Con^iider  the  Surciun- 
Btancea  of  the  Town  as  Above  Sd  and  to  Settle  a  line  as  Above  Sd. 

"When  the  question  of  tlie  new  society  came  ])efore  the  Le- 
gi>lature  in  May,  1734.  tlu'  town  resisted  the  niovenient.  They 
resisted  it  on  the  ground  that  the  vote  of  March  14th,  previ- 
ous, was  not  in  fact  passed.  The  certificate  of  tlie  moderator 
of  the  meeting,  Isaac  Bronson,  was  produced,  which  afiirmed 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


256 


HiaiORT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


that  in  conseqnence  of  tlie  absence  of  the  stated  clerk,  Dea. 
Samuel  Brown  was  chosen  scribe,  who  n('<rk>ctecl  to  i^ay  that 
the  vote  placed  on  record  was  negatived.  Probably  there 
were  excitement  and  disorder  in  the  meeting,  and  it  was  diffi- 
cnlt  to  saj  what  was,  or  what  was  not,  properly  done.  The 
selectmen  furthermore  certified  that  the  meeting  was  called 
for  to  procure  town  stock  [ammunition]  and  no  other  bnsiness." 
Consequently,  it  was  not  competent  to  act  on  the  subject  of  the 
vote,  that  not  being  embraced  in  the  call.  The  result  of  all 
was  tliat  there  was  no  action  on  the  part  of  the  Assembly. 

At  a  town  meeting  in  October  following,  the  vote  of  March 
14th  was  "mil'd  and  made  void,"  it  being  "repugnant  to 
tht'  cniniii'iii  inte  rcut  of  the  town  ;'' while  at  tlic  >:iine  tiiiu', 
the  nieetinjx  re^olvc^l  tn  clioose  a  coininittec  aniontr  tht'HKsolves 
to  '•'set  oul"  tlie  new  8oeietv,  "which  will  he  more  easy  and 
for  the  Itetter  contentment  of  the  town,  than  ti»  coinniit  it  to 
strangers."  In  the  meantime,  however,  the  committee  se- 
lected in  the  spring  had  attended  to  their  W(»rk  and  "set  ont " 
the  parish  asked  for.  A  jietition  was  ])resented  to  the  Legi.sla- 
ture,  signed  by  twuuty-tlirec  individuals,  to  ratify  the  doings 
of  the  committee  and  grant  society-privileges;  but  the  re- 
quest was  again  denied. 

In  Oct.  1736,  the  northwestern  people  again  petitioned  to 
be  set  off  as  a  distinct  society.  They  used  the  same  argu- 
ments they  had  urged  before,  such  as  Uieir  distance  from  the 
meeting  house  and  their  separation  from  it  by  a  river  which 
was  often  impassable.  They  represented  themselves  to  num- 
ber forty-five  families.  Their  request  was  refused,  but  tliey 
were  allowed  five  months'  winter  privileges  for  two  years. 
The  petitioners,  however,  were  not  discouraged.  They  re- 
newed their  efforts  in  May,  1737,  unsuccessfully.  In  October 
of  the  same  year,  the  town  ap[>ointed  Mr.  Joseph  Lewis  and 
Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins,  (the  town's  deputies,)  their  agents  to 
answer  another  memorial  which  had  been  prepared.  At  the 
same  time,  a  vote  was  passed  expressing  a  willingness  that  a 
le<ri>l:iti ve  committee  sli<»iild  "  come  to  view  all  the  circum- 
Stances  of  the  t(.>wn.''  In  answer  to  a  ])etiti(»n,  a  committee 
was  sent  by  tlie  A>>eml)l3',  consisting  of  (^apt.  John  Uiggs, 
Capt.  Isaac  Dickeriuau  and  Mr.  John  Fowler.   They  report- 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


7r% 


/  /  ^  < 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


25T 


ed,  in  May,  1738,  in  favor  of  the  petitionera  and  recommend- 
ed a  division  line.  Tbe  line  commenced  at  the  southwest  cor- 
ner of  Oapt  William  Jndd's  farm  at  Woodbmy  bomids,  and 
ran  in  the  south  line  of  said  farm  to  the  southeast  comer  of 
Joseph  Nichols'  old  farm,  thence  to  [James]  Williams'  com 
mill,  [now  Oakrille  Co.,]  thence  straight  to  Jonathan  Prindle's 
house,  thence  east  to  Waterbury  river,  thence  up  the  river  to 
the  West  Branch  and  up  the  Branch  to  Litchfield  bounds. 

In  connection  with  the  report,  there  was  given  a  list  of  the 
heads  of  I'aiiiilies  included  within  the  bounds  of  the  proposed 
society,  with  tlie  number  of  persons  in  each.  Tliirty -seven 
families  are  thus  enumerated,  coutuining  two  hundred  and 
tbii'ty  persoiib ; 


John  SmHIi,  8. 

Thomas  Foot,  9. 

Samncl  Tlioinn",  8. 

Thoiiiiis  Hii  kox,  6. 

Sttnnu'l  Luis,  9. 

0«orge  WelUon,  10. 

Samuel  Judd,  & 

Oerahom  Scott,  S. 

James  Smith,  2. 
Thoma.^  Rirhards, 
Ebenozer  Richard?,  4. 

William  ScoviU,  6. 

Thomu  Jndd,  4. 


MoM8  BmnsoD,  11. 

Samuel  Hickox,  12. 

Cak-h  Chirke,  9. 

Danit'l  IIn\r,  9. 

John  AuUruss,  6. 

WnUun  AndriMi,  S. 

Jonathan  8eott»  8. 

Jotiathan  Scott,  7. 

Eleaxer  Scott,  3. 

Jouathan  Foot,  6. 

Ebcuezer  Baldwin,  3. 

Jonathan  Prindel,  7. 


Stephen  Seott,  4^ 

Obadiah  ScOtt,  4. 

David  Scott,  5. 

Nathaniel  AriioM.  lo. 

Ebenezer  Wuruer,  6. 

James  Brown,  8. 

John  Warner,  4. 

James  Williams,  7. 

Georpo  Xicholf^,  6. 

James  Bolemy,  1. 

Richard  Semer  4. 

J<Hiathan  Gamsey,  10. 


The  town  remonstrated  against  tlie  line  recommended  by  the 
committee,  claimiDg  it  ran  too  fkr  south,  and  asked  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  new  committee.  The  result  was,  another  committee, 
consisting  of  John  Fowler  of  Milford,  Samnel  Bassett  of  Berbj 
and  Gideon  Johnson,  was  appointed.  They  reported  in  Oct 
1788,  and  advised  the  same  division  line.  The  report  was 
adopted  and  the  society  incorporated  by  the  name  of  Westbnry. 

Soon  after  Westbnry  was  made  a  distinct  society,  the  people 
belonging  to  it  began  to  make  arrangements  to  baild  a  meet- 
ing house,  and  applied  to  the  General  Court  to  direct  as  to  ita 
location  and  to  fix  a  stake.  The  Court  sent  a  committee,  who 
selected  a  place  one  third  of  a  mile  southeast  of  the  jtrcscnt 
churcliL's,  a  few  rods  ctust  from  the  Litchfield  turnpike,  where 
the  old  bnrying  ground  is. 

17 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


258 


HISTOBT  OT  WATERBCBT. 


Tlie  place  I'or  a  iiieetin*^'  liousc  being  (.leterinined,  tlie  A\\\>t- 
bury  people  applied  to  the  town  to  proviile  tlie  gruund  an<l 
the  necessary  public  greeu.  xVccordingly,  the  town  directed 
their  committee  for  laying  out  highways  in  the  north  east  [it 
Bkould  be  northwest]  quarter,"  ^^to  widen  the  highway  bo  aa 
to  accomraodate  aaid  house  with  a  suitable  green,  accordiDg 
to  their  discretion,  and  to  award  satisfaction  to  the  owners  of 
the  land."  Tliis  was  on  the  24th  day  ..f  Dec.  1739,  and  in 
February  following  the  committee,  John  Judd  and  John  Sco* 
yill,  had  out  the  hind  aa  follows : 

Bojjinnincr  at  the  southwest  corner,  a  hoap  of  stones,  then  ca8t  ton  rods  to  a 
heap  ol  titones,  then  ten  rods  north  to  a  heap  ol\«tones,  then  west  eleven  rods  to« 
heap  of  etoues,  then  south  eighteen  rods  to  a  heap  of  etonefl  where  we  began — 
batting  west  on  land  left  for  a  highway,  north  on  Beasw  Seott'b  land,  eouth  on 
Stephen  8cott*8  land,  east  on  Eleaier  8cott*8  land,  or  oonunon  land  as  set  ovi 
by  OB. 

The  land  indnded  in  these  lines,  amonnting  to  nearly  one 
acre,  belonged  to  Eleazer  Scott,  and  as  a  remuneration  for 

the  same  the  committee  awarded  him  "  three  acres  of  land  to 
lay  out  in  the  nn<livided  land,  or  fifty  shillings  in  money." 

At  wliat  time  the  meeting  house  was  finished  I  am  unable 
to  say,  though  1741  has  been  named  as  the  year.  llev.  John 
Trumbull  was  the  first  minir^ter.  The  Litchfield  County 
(Soutli)  Church  Manual  says  he  was  settled  in  1739  ;  but  the 
inscription  on  his  monument  would  make  the  time  later,  which 
says  that  he  "  died  Dec.  13,  1787,  in  the  seventy  third  year  of 
his  age  and  the  forty  eighth  of  his  ministry." 

Rey.  John  Trumbull  (called  Trumble  in  the  early  records) 
was  bom  in  Sutfield  in  1715.  The  ancestor  of  the  family  came 
from  England  and  settled  in  Ipswich  in  1645.  His  son,  John, 
removed  to  Suffield  and  had  three  sons,  John,  Joseph  and  Be- 
noni.  The  first,  John,  was  the  father  of  the  Kev.  John 
IVombnll  of  Westbnrj.  The  second,  Joseph,  settled  in  Leb- 
anon, and  was  the  father  of  Got.  Jonathan  IVnmbnlL  The 
third,  Benoni,  was  the  grand&ther  of  Benjamin  Trambnll, 
D.  D.,  the  historian. 

lir.  IVombnll  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  17S5  and,  at 
lengtli,  (in  1772,)  became  a  member  of  the  Corporation  of  fliat 
institution.  His  attainments  as  a  scholar  were  respectable. 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATEBSUfiT. 


259 


Sometimes  he  fitted  young  men  for  college,  as  most  of  the 
ministers  of  that  day  did.  He  appears  not  to  have  been  dis- 
tingnishcd  as  a  preacher ;  bnt  the  great  influence  he  acquired 
over  his  people  was  obtained  bj  his  generosity,  his  hospitable 
manners  and  friendly  interconrse.  If  one  of  his  parishioners 
had  lost  a  cow  or  had  met  with  a  similar  calamity,  he  woald  in- 
terest himself  in  the  matter,  head  a  snbscription  for  his  relief 
and  persuade  others  to  sigii  the  same.  It  was  said  of  him. 
that  if  one  of  his  people  turned  Episcopalian,  he  would  bi^y 
his  farm.*  He  was  a  large  landholder  and,  for  the  times,  was 
considered  wealtliv. 

Mr.  Tnnnlnill  was  not  tall,  but  a  stout,  athletic  man.  lie 
was  sound,  shrewd  and  humorous.  Horses  he  was  fond  of, 
and  Ixtnght  and  sold  them,  friujuently,  with  success.  On  this 
account,  he  was  somotinics,  irrevcrantly,  calkd  j^K-key  Trum- 
bull. He  loved  innocent  sports,  and  liad  once  been  a  great 
wrestler.  A  story  is  told  of  him,  which,  though  it  may  not 
be  wholly  true,  is  probably  not  a  pure  invention.  At  any  rate, 
it  illustrates  the  manners  of  the  times.  Tlic  Waterbury  and 
Westbury  people  were  in  the  habit  of  meeting  at  some  half- 
way place,  in  the  long  autumnal  evenings,  to  contend  as  wres- 
tlers. They  met  around  a  Arc  and  the  sport  was  commenced 
by  two  second-rate  athletes.  When  one  was  thrown,  the  van- 
quished called  in  another  from  his  own  side,  the  object  being 
to  vanquish  the  victor.  Thus  the  experts  were  called  out  in 
succession,  and  he  who  remained  last  on  his  legs  was  the  bully 
of  the  night  In  several  contests,  at  the  time  of  which  I  am 
speaking,  Waterbury  had  proved  too  much  for  Westbury. 
Mr.  Trumbull  heard  of  the  defeat  of  his  boys  and  partook  of 
their  mortification.  On  occasion  of  the  next  contest,  he  dis- 
guised himself  and  went  down  unknown,  except  to  two  or 
three,  to  give  material  aid,"  if  necessary.  The  wrestlers 
were  called  in  one  after  another,  till  Westbury  was  again 
"  thrown  out,"  the  Waterbury  champion  having  gr<yutided  the 
last  of  the  rival  party.  At  this  period,  when  the  signs  of  ex- 
ultation on  one  side  and  chacrrin  on  the  other  were  becomiuir 
manifest,  a  stranger  was  dragged  in  from  the  outer  circle  of 


•  Dr.  MeBv«D's  OtMOttn*  »i  tU  CentcoiiW  (Mtteatton  la  LltehOdd,  1801. 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


260 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


the  ring,  to  contend  for  the  AVestbuiy  boys.  Tlie  parties  }>lacc<i 
thcmt^clves  in  position  and  began  by  'Splaying  round,''  to 
find  each  other'a  qualities.  After  a  little  time,  the  stranger, 
watching  his  opportunity,  caught  his  antagoniat'B  foot  and 
threw  him  upon  the  fire.  Shouts  fiUed  the  air  and  the  victor 
disappeared.  Great  was  the  exploit  and  great  the  mystery  of 
the  affair ;  but  the  secret  finally  leaked  out  The  story  reach- 
ed the  ears  of  Mr.  Leavenwordi,  and  the  next  time  he  met  his 
brother  Trumbull,  he  rebuked  him  for  his  leyity,  and  censured 
him,  particularly,  for  throwing  his  rival  upon  the  fire,  by  which 
his  clothes  and  flesh  were  ecorchcd.  Trumbull  agreed  that  he 
bad  been  guilty  of  levity,  but  as  lV»r  the  scorching,  he  thought 
it  his  duty  to  give  his  (Mr.  Leavfuworth's)  parishioners  a  fore- 
taste of  what  they  might  expect  alter  sitting  under  his  preach- 
ing! 

Mr.  Trumbull  was  inai'rie<l,  July  3d,  1744-,  to  Sarah,  daugh- 
ter of  Mr.  Samuel  AVhitmaii  of  Farmington.  Their  cliildreu, 
which  are  recorded  in  Waterbury,  were  1.  Sarah  ;  b.  June 
20,  1745.  2.  A  son;  b.  Feb.  27,  1740-7.  3.  Elizabeth;  b. 
March  17,  1747-8.  The  two  last  died  in  infancy.  The  births 
of  John  and  Lucy  are  not  on  record.  His  widow  Sarah  and 
son  John  were  his  executors.  To  his  widow,  Ijc  gave  his 
**  negro  wench  Lemmon  ;  to  his  son  John  of  Hartford,  his 
negro  girl  named  Mabel,  his  knee-buckles,  gun  and  powder 
horns ;  to  his  daughter  Sarah  Perkins,  wife  of  Dr.  Caleb  Per- 
kins of  Hartford,  his  negro  girl  Peg,  then  in  her  possession ;  to 
his  daughter  Lucy  Langdon,  wife  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Langdon 
of  Danbury,  one  negro  girl,  "  late  now  in  her  possession."  He 
had  a  large  estate  of  both  real  and  personal  pro])erty.  He  is 
called  in  deeds,  clerk,"  that  being  the  legal  appellation  of  a 
clergyman. 

The  house  in  which  Mr.  Trumbull  lived,  and  in  which  his 

distinguished  son  was  bom,  may  still  be  seen,  standing  on  the 
east  side  of  the  road  to  Waterburv,  a  little  south  of  the  old 
burying  yard.  His  successor  in  the  ministry  was  Uriel  Grid- 
ley,  (settled  ill  1TS4.) 

The  second  meeting  house  was  built  in  1772,*  and  placed 


*  liebMdw»n*i  Sketch. 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATIERBURT. 


361 


in  the  present  center  of  tlie  village.  A  third  one  was  dedi- 
cated in  January,  1840. 

The  earl  J  deacons  of  the  Westbniy  chnrch  were  John  War- 
ner, Jonathan  Gamsej,  Timoth j  Judd,  Thomas  Hickoz,  Sam- 
uel Hickox,  Thomas  Fenn,  Thomas  Button. 

The  settlement  of  Korthbury,  (afterwards  so  called,)  was 
commenced  a  few  years  after  that  of  Westbniy.  The  first 
settlers  came  from  other  towns,  Litchfield,  Branford,  WalHng- 
ford,  "Sew  Haven,  North  Haven,  &c.  Several  of  them  took 
np  their  residences  adjacent  to  the  river  on  the  west  side.  At 
this  phice  and  idso  on  the  opposite  bide  of  tlie  river  liard  by, 
the  greatest  part  of  the  population  resided  for  several  years. 
The  lirst  settler,  so  far  as  my  enquiries  have  extended,  was 
Henry  Cook  of  Litchfield.  lie  came  witli  a  family  ahout 
172S,  and  had  a  farm  on  which  he  lived  on  the  west  hank  of 
the  river,  not  fur  from  the  Litchtield  boundary.  He  is  men- 
tioned as  of  Wooster  in  Dec.  1730,  bnt  that  name  at  that  pe- 
riod was  applied,  apparently,  to  all  the  northwest  part  of  the 
town  Ijj^ng  west  of  the  Naugatuck.  He  had  several  sons, 
three  of  wliom,  at  least — Jonatlian,  Ebenezer  and  Henry,  Jr. — 
had  families  and  resided  in  Northbnry. 

John  Sutliff,  so  far  as  appears,  was  the  next  settler.  He 
came  from  Branford  about  1730,  with  a  family,  and  built  on 
the  west  side  of  the  river.  He  too,  at  this  date,  is  spoken  of 
as  one  of  the  Wooster"  people.  After  Sutliff,  came  Sam- 
uel Towner,  Elnathan  Taylor,  Jonathan  Foot,  Ebenezer  El- 
well,  Hiomas  Blakeslee,  Isaac  Castle,  (from  Weetbnry,)  Daniel 
Curtis,  Barnabas  Ford,  Gideon  Allen,  (from  Guilford,)  John 
Humaston,  (from  North  Haven,)  John  Sutliff,  Jr.,  the  three 
first  before  the  close  of  1731  and  the  others  before  Nov. 
1736.  These  were  immigrants  from  other  towns.  The  first 
native  inhabitants  of  Waterbury  that  ap])eared  among  them 
were,  as  far  as  I  can  learn,  Eheiiezer  Iviehason,  (from  West- 
bnry,)  Lieut.  John  Brouson,  Jr.  and  Obadiali  Warner,  all  in 
1737. 

The  "  np  river"  })eople,  few  in  number,  living  west  of  the 
river,  joined  themselves  to  the  northwest  inhabitants  in  their 
earliest  endeavoi*s  to  obtain  winter  jn-ivileges,  in  Oct.  1732. 
Soon,  however,  as  population  increased,  they  fonnd  it  expedi- 
ent to  unite  witli  their  neighbors  on  the  other  side  of  the  river 


uiLjUi^ca  by  Googlc 


263 


BISTOBT  OF  WATEHBUBT. 


aod  to  act  iiKlependeutly.  Thas  united,  they  had  become  so 
nnmeroQB  in  Oct.  1734,  tliat  some  of  tliem — Uenr)^  Cook,  Ebe- 
nezer  Elwell  and  Samuel  Towner— on  the  ground  of  their  liv- 
ing 80  far  from  the  meetinghouse,  requested  the  town  to  allow 
them  and  others  to  liire  preaching  the  ensuing  wiuter,  and  to 
abate  their  pariab  rates  while  they  should  thus  hire.  The 
town  voted  '*to  do  nothing  in  the  case."  On  the  26th  day  of 
Oct.  1736,  the  request  was  repeated  in  writing,  and  was 
signed  hj  twelve  persons — all  those  whose  names  have  been 
given  as  settlers  at  the  time,  except  John  SutlifT,  Sen.  Thej 
wanted  the  privilege  for  three  years,  three  montiis  in  each 
year — ^December,  January  and  February — ^with  exemption 
from  the  customary  ministerial  rates  during  the  time.  The 
lilK'rty  asked  for  they  \vi>liod  to  be  extended  to  all  those  living 

within  two  and  a  half  miles  of  lianiabus  Ford's  now  dwrll- 
ing-huusc,"  The  town  vott'il  to  i^raiit  the  request.  l>ut  it 
seenis  there  was  a  niisundei*staiidiii<x  about  the  action  taken  (»n 
the  subject,  nr  possibly  a  change  ot*  views  on  the  i>art  of  the 
majority;  and  the  pmposed  exeniittion  lV(»ni  ])arish  t^xes  was 
afterwards  denied.    At  a  town  li.eeting  held  April  18,  1737, 

it  was  asked  whether  the  said  [northern]  inhabitants  shall 
be  exeni})t  from  ministerial  charge  in  the  town  for  so  much 
time  as  they  shall  hire  a  gospel  minister  among  [themj"  "in 
addition  to  a  grant  made  them  Sep.  29th,"  and  an  answer  was 
given  by  vote  in  the  negative. 

In  May,  the  disappointed  northern  people  applied  to  the 
General  Assembly  by  petition.  They  said  tiiat  they  lived  on 
a  tract  of  land  about  five  miles  square  whereof  Barnabas 
Ford's  dwelling  house  was  the  center  " — ^that  the  town  voted 
(at  the  date  above  mentioned)  that  they  might  have  a  minister 
for  three  months  for  three  years,  ^  with  exemption  from  minis- 
terial charges  for  the  said  term  " — that  they  had  employed  a 
preacher,  and  now  are  forced  to  pay  rates,  &c.  They  asked 
winter  privileges  and  the  usual  exemption  from  taxes.  The 
petitioners  were  John  Sutlitl',  ^^en.,  lii  iiry  Cook,  Ebcnezer 
Elwell,  r>arnabas  Fnrd,  Samuel  Tnwner,  Tiionias  Blakeslee, 
John  liow,  Gideon  Allen,  Jonathan  Foot,  Isaac  CastK-,  Sam- 
uel Frost,  John  Sutliff,  Jr.,  John  Ilumaston,  Daniel  Curtis, 
Amos  Mattliews,  Ebcnezer  Kichasou,  Phiucas  Royce — bcveu- 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


BI8TOBY  OP  WATEBBUET. 


ten  in  all.  The  town  appeared  against  tliein  by  remonstrance, 
and  the  request  was  denied.  In  October,  however,  of  the  same 
year,  (1737,)  nineteen  petitionerB,  John  lironson,  Obadiali 
Warner  and  John  Gamsey  (the  last  from  Westbury)  being 
new  ones,  renewed  the  application  and  were  snccessiul.  They 
were  released  from  the  usual  parish  charges  for  three  months, 
December,  January  and  Febmary,  in  each  year,  for  three 
years. 

In  May,  1738,  the  np-riyer  people  again  petitioned.  They 
asked  to  be  exempted  from  ministerial  taxes  ''for  snch  time 
only  as  they  had  the  word  dispensed  that  is,  during  all  the 
year,  provided  they  employed  a  preacher  of  their  own.  The 
signers  numbered  nineteen,  the  names  of  Jeremiah  Peck,  Sen., 
Jeremiah  Peck,  (Jr.,)  Samuel  Curtis,  Zaehariah  Sanford,  Wii- 
liam  Ludin<j;ron,  Caleb  Humaston,  appearing  for  the  first 
time.  Iliev  said  that  the  iiearc.-t  of  them  lived  seven  miles, 
the  greater  part  eight  and  many  nine  or  ten  miles,  from  the 
nieetin«^  house,  on  tlie  wav  to  wliieli  thev  were  obliiced  to 
cross  the  river  (which  was  often  deep  and  dangerous)  nine 
times.  The  request  was  denied;  but  in  October  (173S)  it  was 
re})eated.  There  were  now  twenty-three  signei"s,  Jacob 
Blakeslee's  name  a[n»earing  among  them  for  the  lirst  time. 
They  spoke  of  their  three  years'  privilege  expiring  with  the 
month  of  February  ensuing,  and  asked  that  it  might  be  ex- 
tended for  two  years.  They  alledged  that  they  had  a  popula- 
tion  of  139,  (as  I  read  the  figures,)  and  that  to  get  to  meeting 
at  the  town  center,  they  had  to  remove  bars  and  open  gates 
at  ten  different  places.  (In  tlie  original,  the  word  ten  is  writ* 
ten  oyer  the  figures  17.)  The  petition  was  granted. 

After  Westbury  had  been  incorporated  as  a  distinct  society, 
in  Oct  1738,  the  way  seemed  open  for  the  northern  inhabit- 
ants. As  they  no  longer  helped  support  the  town  minister, 
the  town  looked  upon  the  plan  of  a  separate  organization 
with  indifTerence.  At  the  October  session  of  the  Legislature, 
in  1739,  a  memorial  was  presented  by  John  Sutllff  and  Moses 
Blakeslee,  agents,  &c.  It  represented  that  the  people  were 
now 

P<'sirmi.«  of  boirif;  niado  a  pni  ioty  with  the  privil«^poH  of  a  POcioty  that  they 
may  aettlc  a  gospel  minuter  among  them  and  have  God's  word  preached  and 


uiLjUi^ca  by  Google 


HIdTOBY  OF  WAT££BUEY. 

ordinanoM  Administered ;  vidluTing  pmyod  sud  old  society  in  niA  Wftterbury  to 
giro  them  certain  bounds  and  obtained  a  vote  that  they,  said  old  societj,  will  not 
oppose  tliera  [kc]  as  by  the  vote  may  appear  Sep.  18, 1739— —Whereupon  the 

memorialists  hitiithlr  prny  that  this  honorable  Assembly  would  appoint  a  commit' 
toe  nml  scinl  thorn  to  vimv  their  (.-ircnm.'itance^,  and  state  the  line  between  said  old 

Bui  ii'tv  iiiul  ■'(I  inhabitants  uml  tu  niake  riMiirii,  [ic] 

[Attached  to  thi^  niciuorial  ure  the  fuUon  ing  uaiucs:] 
John  Sutliff,  William  Ludington,  Caleb  HtimastoD, 

Hoses  Blakeslee,  Amos  Matthews,  JohnOamaey, 

John  Bronson,  Noah  Phngbom,  John  SntlU^  Jr., 

John  Warner,  Xatthew  Ludington,         Thomas  Blakesiee, 

Oliailiuh  Warner,  Barnahas  Ford,  (Wdoon  AMen, 

Daniel  Potter,  Joseph  Chirk,  [Jr.,J  Samuel  Frost, 

Samuel  Curti^  Jacob  iUake.slcc,  John  ilovr, 

Joseph  Clark,  Dainel  Curtis,  Jeremiah  Peck. 

Henry  Cook,  Zaffhariah  Sanford 

Only  four  of  tliese  twenty-six  signers  were  native  or  old  in- 
lial)ituntti  of  AVatcrlMiry — John  JBn^nson,  Obadiah  Warner, 
Jeremiah  Peck  ami  John  Warner.  The  committee  asked  for 
was  appointed.  Thej  entered  at  once  upon  their  duties  and 
indicated  the  parish  lines.  On  the  west  side,  the  line  ran 
down  the  West  Branch  and  Kaugatuckm^er  along  the  West- 
bury  boundary  to  Spruce  Brook,  "a  little  below  XJpson^s 
Island,"  thence  (easterly)  a  strait  line  to  the  falls  of  Hancox 
Brook,  thence  "  strait  to  south  side  of  Mr.  Noyes  farm,''  thence 
due  east  to  the  Farmington  line,  thence  round  in  the  old  town 
boundary.  The  report  was  approved  and  accepted,  and  the  so- 
ciety incorporated  by  the  name  of  Northbury,  all  at  the  same 
session,  Oct.  1739. 

The  first  record  of  tlie  society  of  Xorthlmry  (the  third  >oci- 
ety  of  Waterlmry)  is  a  warning  for  a  meeting,  on  the  ai»i»lica- 
tioii  of  John  Sutliff,  Ehenezcr  llichason  and  Barnabas  Ford, 
dated  Nov.  10,  lTol>,  signed  by  Tliomas  Clark,  justice  of  the 
j)eace,  c^c.  The  nu'cting  was  to  be  held  on  the  2(>th  day  of 
the  mouth,  at  which  time  the  fii'st  meeting  took  place.  John 
Sutliff  was  chosen  moderator,  15aniabas  Ford,  clerk,  and  Moses 
Blakesiee,  John  Sutlitf  and  Ebenezer  Richason  [society's]  com- 
mittee. They  "maid  choise"  of  Samuel  Todd  to  be  their 
minister  and  voted  to  give  him  £150  settlement. 

That  is  to  say,  we  w  ill  get  or  cause  to  got  sufBciont  timber  for  a  house  thirty- 
two  foot  long,  twcuty-fi%'o  wide  and  fifteen  foot  between  icutti  [joiuta — waa  not 


uiyui^ca  by  Google 


BIBIOJtT  OF  WATEBBUBT.  265 

15  feci  the  knigthol'  the  posts  y]  rnirue  anddctitup,  digandjitoiic  up  a  ecllor  under 
all  7*  bigest  runie,  underpin  y*  house,  ruf  it  on  ench  ride  fifteen  Inches  md  on 
each  end  eight  inches,  bordand  coner  y  house  with  short  shingells,  prouide  all  y 
materials  therefore,  coner  rides  and  ends  with  rent  daboards  and  pronide  nales 
and  clabords  and  nmke  and  put  up  a  sutalde  number  of  Winder  frames  and  finish 
all  }•  timber  work  of  y"  outside  of  }•  liou.-;o,  find  stone  and  build  y«  chind(  ys,  two 
firo  pliitcs  below  and  1  uhoue,  and  seal  the  bigesl  loer  ruuie  and  glaze  it  and  pro- 
cure all  the  uiaicriahi  for  it  and  prouide  all  )•  hookn  and  hinges  for  all  }•  rmue 
and  prouide  all  j*  materials  for  doing  y  work  as  above  menchened,  and  y  same 
to  be  done  worlmiaalilce  for  Mr.  Sam>  todd  by  y  1**  of  October  la  y  year  1740. 

[At  the  same  meeting,  Joseph  Garli,  John  How,  John  Bronson,  Thomas  Bkkes- 
lee  and  (iidcon  Allen  were  chosen  to  superintend  the  buildinj»  of  the  hou«e  ;  and 
a  vote  was  pa^^sL'd  frei  ittg  Jeremiah  I'cck,  Dauicl  Curtis  and  Barnabas  lord  from 
the  charge  of  building.] 

At  y  same  meeting,  it  was  Toted  to  0we  Mr.  Samuel  todd  for  y  two  first  years 
from  y  first  of  last  October  £100  salary  per  year  and  his  fire  wood  and  two  daycs 
worlc  a  man  from  sixteen  to  t<ixty  [years  of  age]  per  year,  one  in  summer  and  one 
in  \*  winter,  and  protiide  foiiifortablo  hou'^e  roonu'  for  him  y»  firj«t  year  upon  our 
own  lauste,  and  y«  i'li'O  p(>r  year  to  hv  paiil  each  year  in  y*  uioiiths  of  (h  i.  Nov. 
and  Dee. — and  after  two  tirist  years  arc  up  to  give  him  twel  [twelve]  pence 
Upon  ye  pound  to  be  his  yearly  salary,  muny  or  publick  bills  of  credit,  until  our 
list  at  y*  ky  raises  100  and  [  *  *  ]  pounds  att  y*  rate  of  stluer  at  three  and 
twenty  [shillings]  per  ounce;  and  to  be  y'  ^tatetl  salary,  and  two  days  work  a 
iiiaii  til  twclue  pence  upon  y*  pound  makes  one  hundred  pounds  before  spcei- 
fi<l>  ;  and  to  find  him  his  fire  wood  so  long  as  he  shall  coatinuo  in  y  work  of  >* 
miuij^tre  amouge  us. 

At  a  subsequeBt  meeting,  Ifarcb  3, 1740,  (1739-40,)  a  rate 
of  four  peace  on  the  pound  in  work  and  one  pcnoy  in  money 
was  laid.   At  tbe  same  time,  Moses  Blakeslee,  Jeremiah  Pec^ 

and  Daniel  Curtis  were  appointed  to  present  to  Mr,  Todd  the 

call  "  of  the  society  and  to  receive  liis  answer.  The  follow- 
ing  ia  liis  reply,  bearing  date  March  3,  1739-40  : 

To  Hr.  Jeremiah  Peck,  Hoses  Blakedee,  david  enrtia— luving  reseeued  your 
call  and  proposals  in  l>ehalf  of  y*  sosiati  to  settle  with  you  in  y«  work  of  y«  min- 
istry, and  liuuiii^'  waid  and  eonsidered  them  I  dc-elare  myself  wiUing  upon  them  to 
Ht  nli-  witli  til.  Ill  ill  }"  work  of  y*  uiiiiisiry,  proiiided  they  prost-ed  to  a  regular 
ordauailoa  upon  or  before  y*  eight  day  of  may  next  and  pray  god  you  may  be  a 
blesrinff  to  me  and  I  to  you. 

Sam"  todd. 

It  was  decided  that  the  seventh  of  May  sbonld  be  the  day 

of  the  ceremony,  at  which  time,  probably,  the  ordination  took 
place.  Afterwardrs,  (Ang.  10,  1740,)  the  society  granted  to 
Lieut.  John  Bronson,  in  work  or  money,  £3,  18s.  for  keeping 
the  coimcil. 


uiLjUi^ca  by  Google 


266 


mStORY  OF  W^TEKBUSY. 


Kev.  Samuel  Ttuld,  tlie  tits-t  minister  ot'  >^ortliVnirv,  wa^  the 
seventh  child  and  litih  sou  nf  Samuel  and  Mary  (*'  Tole  "j  Todd 
ot*  Xortli  Haven,  and  was  born  March  6,  1710-17.  lie  was 
grail  uated  at  Yale  College  in  1734,  at  the  age  of  17.*  He 
married,  August  31,  1731».  Mercy,  d.  of  Mr.  Peter  Kvan»  of 
yoitliticld.  His  children  were,  Alathea,+  (h.  Dec.  7,  171U,) 
Mary,  Ii'ene,  Eliel,  Alathea,  1-ucy,  Samuel,  Lucy  and  Cldoe. 
His  house  stood  a  few  rods  south  of  tlie  lueetiug  house  built 
dorhig  his  ministry. 

About  tlie  time  of  Mr.  Todd's  settlement,  the  Groat  Revival  of 
Kew  England  commenced.  He  was  at  first,  it  i>  stated^ opposed 
to  it,  or,  at  leasts  regarded  it  with  distrust.  He  went  to  Stock- 
bridge  to  get  a  more  intimate  knowledge  of  its  practical  work- 
ings, and  came  back  with  opinions  wholly  changed.  He  at  once 
introduced  "  conference  meetings,"  and  labored  to  rouse  the 
feelings  of  his  church  and  people.  The  result  was,  many  of 
his  parishioners  and  finally  a  majority,  including  some  of  the 
principal  men  in  both  the  church  and  society,  turned  against 
him,  denounced  his  doctrines  and  measures,  and  at  length  ob- 
tained the  control  of  the  meeting  house  and  established  in  it 
Episcopal  worship. 

In  Jan.  1712-3,  the  societv  re!used  to  ffi/e  ^[r.  Todd  ''anv 
thing  for  tlie  sink  of  money,"  (^dejireciation  of  the  currency,) 
but  they  agreed  to  pay  him  live  pounds  old  tenor  for  not  fin- 
ishing his  bouse  in  the  stipulated  time.  In  I)eceml»er,  1743, 
they  voted  to  allow  him  £'U»  yearly,  in  place  of  two  days'  work 
each,  and  £12  old  tenor  for  hrewood.  In  1745,  he  was  to 
have  tV)r  his  salary  owne  hundred  lorty  live  pounds  old 
tenor  money;"  in  1747,  £180;  in  174S,  £300;  in  1740,  £250 
and  £30  for  firewood,  payable  in  the  depreciated  old  tenor 
currency.  In  1T65,  he  was  to  receive  £40  lawful  money, 
(specie  currency) — ^wheat  to  be  valued  to  him  at  38.  6d.  per 
bushel,  rye  at  2s.  4d.,  Indian  com  at  Is.  9d.,  oats  at  lOid., 
pork  at  3d.  per  pound. 

*  The  Manual  of  the  Plymouth  Church  and  Goodwin's  Genealogy  of  the  Foote  Family  say  he 
iras  (rrailuatod  in  IS-'M,  at  the  age  of  15.  The  New  Haven  record  ^res  his  birth  aj  above.  The 
Gencjilopy  aflirnis,  alio,  that  he  died  in  1769,  aped  76,  aiul  thai  M.iry  Frmis  «  a«  hi-"  niothi-r. 

t  According  to  tradition,  the  Ant  burial  in  Nortlibury  waa  that  of  a  little  girl  of  Ur.  Todd, 
«ho  wu  drevBed  la  Asprtngftbdnt  1T41.  It  «m  elglitfMnMbteM0lber4«»Ui  took  place,  wImb 

the  Itin;;  forer  made  It^  ni>p.  arance,  of  wlllcll  thtrtf  dM.  [lUnWCrlpt  BotCO  Ot  HW  BCT.  B. 
D.  KitcheU,  late  of  Plymouth  UoUow.] 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HI8IOBT  OV  WATEBBUBT. 


267 


Feb.  12,  1756,  Mr.  Todd  made  a  written  comimmication  to 
the  society : 

Brethren  md  Friend9-~lhere  are  evidently  many  difficulties  subttBting  among 
nSf  in  partietilar  with  regard  to  my  eupport  among  you,  y*  which  wc  bavc  gnut 
reason  to  susppt  t  i<  one  prcat  ground  and  ri>e  of  all  y«  rest  y«  wliicli  is  ju.-^ 
ground  of  great  ilumclation  and  Leiouaatation  us  greatly  thrcltcniug  our  ruiu 
i&c.J 

He  offered  to  take  as  salary  what  might  be  raised  by  a  con- 
tribation  on  the  sabbath  once  in  two  months  and  what  apy 
might  hand  in  at  other  times,  with  the  grant  of  the  ministry 
money."  The  society  accepted  the  ofier.  But  the  plan  did 
not  work,  and  a  parish  meeting  the  next  year  again  voted  Mr. 
Todd  £46.  This  was  to  be  his  annual  salary  for  four  years. 
The  fifth  year  it  was  to  be  £51  and  afterwards  £5(>  })er  aiiiuiiii, 
(currency  of  tlie  specie  standard,  doiibtlei^s.)  Hiis  arrange- 
ment was  >atistactnry  to  Mr.  Todd.  A  good  nnderstamling, 
however,  was  not  ohtainetl,  and  in  Dec.  17«J3,  the  society  voted 
tn  c-honse  a  conmiittee  of  wise  and  just  men  to  hear  and  deter- 
mine whi  ther  said  .society  had  fultillud  thuir  covenant  agree- 
ment wiili  Mr.  Todd. 

Mr.  Todd's  ministry  in  Noithbnry  was  now  drawing  to  a 
close.  After  having  in  vain  tried  to  setth;  tlie  difficulties  with 
his  parish  by  a  council,  he  at  length,  with  broken  health,  ask- 
ed to  be  dismissed.  At  a  meeting  the  third  Monday  of 
'April,  17C4,  the  society  voted  that  on  account  of  difficulty 
about  Mr.  Todd's  support,  and  his  '^prevailing  bodily  indispo- 
sition for  some  time  past,  whereby  he  is  much  disabled  from 
carrying  on  the  work  of  the  ministry,  as  likewise  his  request 
to  lay  down  the  work  of  the  ministry,"  they  consented.  At  the 
same  time,  the  meeting  **maid  choise  of  Dea.  John  Warner 
and  Dea.  David  Dntton  and  Lieut.  Danl.  Potter  to  be  a  com- 
mitty  to  apply  to  y«  Association  of  this  (New  Haven)  County 
for  advice  in  order  to  have  the  pul^dt  supplyed  and  to  bring 
in  a  candidate  to  preach."  Soon  afterwards,  a  communica- 
tion was  received  IV. Daniel  Humphrey,  John  Tnunbull, 
Benjamin  "NVoodbridge  and  ^lariv  Leavenworth,  a  committee  of 
the  Assoeiat lt»ii,  himenting  their  troubles  and  ahenatinns,  tVc, 
and  recommending  tlie  calling  of  a  council  to  settle  matters, 
or,  if  tliought  best,  to  dismiss  Mr.  Todd. 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


268 


HI6T0BT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


Mr.  Todd  appears  to  have  been  dismiesed  in  August,  1764 ; 
and  in  Dec.  following  the  society  voted  that  they  "would 
leave  ail  their  diferancee  with  Mr.  Samuel  Todd  in  his 
demands  upon  this  society  for  and  npon  account  of  his  sal- 
ary from  time  past  untill  this  day  unto  indeferant  gentlemen 
such  as  Mr.  Todd  and  the  sosiaty  commity  shall  agree  to 
have  and  abide  by  the  doings  of  sd  arebitrators,  and  Fhineas 
Boyce  and  Daniel  Potter  to  assist  the  sosiaty  commity 
herein." 

Mr.  Todd  removed  from  Northbury  to  Lanesboro,  Mass., 
where  he  preached  about  two  years.  Tlience  he  went  to 
Adams,  where  ho  organized  the  fir.>t  Congregational  church 
in  that  place,  and  was  its  pastor  till  1T7>S.  lie  took  a  deep 
interest  in  the  Ivevolution,  was  an  ardent  ^Vliig  and,  for  a 
brief  period,  a  cliaplain  in  tlie  continental  army.  He  next 
lived  for  a  short  time  at  Northtield,  with  a  son.  About  1782, 
lie  removed  to  Orford,  N.  II.,  where  he  resided  with  his  chil- 
dren, preaching  occiisioually  iu  the  new  settlements,  till  his 
deatli,  June  10,  1TS9. 

Mr.  Todd's  ardor,  in  the  earlier  years  of  his  ministry,  some- 
times got  the  better  of  his  discretion ;  but  he  is  believed  to 
have  been  a  sincere  man,  devoted  to  Lis  work  and  willing  to 
suffer  if  need  bo  in  the  performance  of  a  supposed  duty.  It  is 
affirmed  that  he  had  great  decision  of  character  and  a  mind  of 
the  full  average  strength. 

After  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Todd,  Bev.  Asahel  Hathaway 
officiated  for  a  time  in  Northbury.  On  the  24th  of  Sept  1764, 
the  society  made  <<choise"  of  him  to  preach  as  a  proba- 
shuner  in  order  for  settlement,"  and  Dec.  17,  1764,  invited 
him  to  become  their  settled  minister.  He  declined.  After- 
wards, in  Jan.  1765,  Mr.  John  Bliss  was  chosen  to  preach  as  a 
"probashnner,"  and  in  April,  Mr.  Ephraim  Judson  was  select- 
ed for  a  like  service. 

At  a  meeting  lield  the  first  Monday  of  July,  ITri."),  tlie  soci- 
ety,  by  a  unevarsal  note,"  expressed  a  (h  sire  t(»  hear  ^Ir. 
An<lrew  Storrs  prL-adi.  A  month  afterwards,  Mr.  Stori-s  was 
recpiested  to  become  a  candidate  for  settlement,  and  on  the 
last  Monday  of  Sept.,  was  called  to  settel,"  by  an  unevarsal 
uote."  The  society  agreed  to  give  him,  imder  date  of  Oct. 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


BISIOST  OF  WATEBBUXT* 


269 


2$,  1765,  £180  settlement  to  be  paid  in  two  yeatB,  £40  cash 
and  £50  in  provisions,  each  year ;  and  £60  salary  for  two 
years,  £20  cash  and  the  remainder  in  wheat,  rye,  Indian  com, 
&e.  After  the  two  first  years,  the  salary  was  to  be  £70  per 
year,  £30  cash  and  £40  in  wheat,  rye  and  Indian  com,  at  the 
market  price  on  the  first  day  of  January,  annnally,  ^fallow- 
ing the  expense  of  tranceport  to  market  not  exceeding  in 
distance  New  Haven,  ]^IitIdletown  or  Hartford."  Fire- 
wood was  also  to  be  furnished,  and  each  "  man was  to 
give  two  days'  work  yearly  for  two  years.  Mr.  Stori-s  ap- 
appeariMl  jHMsonally  in  the  meeting  and  made  known  liis  ac- 
ceptance of  tlie  terms  i>roposed.  To  make  everything  agix  e- 
aMe.  a  vote  was  passed  to  chut^e  a  committee  U.>  stand  (»bliged 
for  the  payment  of  such  purcliuges  as  Mr.  Storrs  shall  make 
for  a  settlement." 

Mr.  Storrs  became  tlie  settled  pastor  of  the  chnrcb  and  society 
Kov.  27 J  1765,  and  was  continued  in  that  relation  till  his 
death,  March  2, 17S5.  He  was  bora  in  Mansfield,  Conn.,  Dec. 
20, 1735.  He  appears  to  have  been  indisposed  for  some  time 
before  his  decease,  80  tliat  a  vote  was  passed,  Dec.  16, 1784, 

that  the  soeiaty  committey  shonld  bee  ortherized  to  assist 
Mr.  Storrs  to  sopply  the  pnlpit  as  far  as  it  can  be  done  by  in- 
viting in  the  naboring  jentelmen  minerstors  to  preach." 

Of  Mr.  Storrs,  the  Bev.  Mr.  Hart  once  said,  in  a  raannscript 
sermon,  ''He  is  still  remembered  by  onr  aged  ]ieople  with 
affectionate  reverence  as  a  wise  and  faithful  pastor." 

After  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Storrs  was  anihoruEed 
by  the  society,  March  21,  i  7b5,  "  to  nse  the  wood  got  for  Mr. 
Storrs."  Anthority  was  also  given,  Juno  6,  to  print  500  copies 
of  tlie  funeral  sermon. 

The  Ivev.  Simon  Waterman  snccecded  Mr.  Stori-s,  and  was 
installed  Aug.  20,  1787.  He  was  disniitsed  2suv.  15,  1809. 
Tlie  liev.  Luther  Hart  was  his  ^uecessor. 

Tlie  eiulv  deacons  of  the  Xorthbiu'v  church  Mere  Jeremiah 
Peek  and  Moses  Blakeslee,  (a]»]M.inted  1740,)  John  Warner, 
David  Dutton,  Daniel  Potter,  Jobu  Sutliii',  Kiiakim  Potter,'^ 
David  Smith. 

 .  - , 

•  Dm.  t,  iTtAt  **Toted  that  Dm.  BlaUrn  Psittr  ihaU  rmd  th«  Vtaln  fwr  Um  flMorf.* 
(SocMr  BMord.) 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


2T0 


BI8T0BT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


The  people  of  Xortlibuiy,  before  thcv  were  incorporated  as 
a  distinct  society,  had  built  a  lionse,  designed  for  tlie  common 
uses  of  the  people  but  called  a  school  house,  in  which  tbcj  met 
for  public  worship.  The  land  on  which  it  was  erected,  ap- 
pears to  have  been  owned  by  John  How.  This  land  How 
conveyed,  Sept  6,  1738,  "for  a  valuable  consideration,"  to 
John  Southmayd,  clerk.  Sonthmayd, "  for  good  causes  and  con- 
siderations/' quit-claimed  the  same,  at  the  same  date,  to  Mr.  John . 
Sutliff,  Ebenezer  Richason,  John  How,  Thomas  Blakeslee  and 
Barnabas  Ford  and  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  livinp;  within 
two  miles  and  a  half  of  said  Barnabas  Ford's  now  dwelling 
house,"  6zc.  The  hmd  is  understood  to  have  been  a  donation 
to  tlie  future  society  from  Joiin  lluw.  It  is  described  in  South- 
in  ay  d^s  deed  as 

One  acre  near  ad  Ford'a  dwelling  honee  in  Waterbory  on  whidb  aidd  inhabltanta 

have  already  8et  up  a  house  under  the  dcnoTiiiiintion  of  a  S[cIinol  ?]  hoiu^e  for  the 
sd  inliaJ>itants  to  meet  in  to  carry  on  the  puhlic-  wor-hip  (tf  (rod  on  the  suM>rith, 
[&C.]  boundiMl  to  tlic  nest  on  land  left  for  a  hij^hway  and  How's  land,  soutli  on 
Barnabas  Ford'd  luud,  Qtmt  and  north  on  said  Ilow  s  land.  [Laud  ik>curd.s,  VoU 
V,  p.  15.] 

Soon  after  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Todd,  the  Churchmen  of 
Korthbury  obtained  a  majority  of  the  votes,  and  took  exclu- 
sive possession  of  the  liouse  of  worsliip.*  The  YOtes  are 
alledged  to  have  been  eighteen,  of  which  eleven  were  on  the 
side  of  the  majority ;  but  this  number  could  not  have  com- 
prehended all  the  legal  votes  in  the  sociefy.  As  a  conse- 
quence of  this  movement,  tlie  Congregational  minority  were 
obliged  to  look  for  quarters  elsewhere.  The  society  therefore 
voted,  Oct  6, 1740,  to  apply  to  the  General  Assembly  for  a 
committee  "  to  stake  a  place  to  set  a  meeting  house,"  and  ap- 
pointed John  Bronson  agent  to  take  charge  of  this  business. 
The  Assembly  did  nothing,  and  in  the  following  May,  (1741,) 
another  petition  was  presented  by  Moses  Blakeslee,  Tlionias 
Bhikeslee  and  John  Bronson,  a  committee.  Tliev  asked  for 
the  interposition  of  the  Assembly,  saying  "your  lienors  are 
something  informed  of  our  circumstances  wliich  are  truly 

*  TbSa  limiM  stood  In  njmoatli  IIoUov,  at  the  lotenectioo  of  the  north  tad  touth  (or  rircr 
foad)  aod  the  omI  aad  vatl  road  raaalar  tbroogh  lh«  aentar,  near  the  «pot  wbtrt  th«  acbeol 
konaa  lat«l7  atoed. 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATEBBURV. 


271 


great  and  very  distressing,"  *fcc.  It  appears  that  tbe  provioiiB 
nu  etings  of  the  society  and  the  votes  appointing  the  officers 
had  been  irregular.  In  consequence  of  this  fact,  and  of  the 
"  broken  and  confused  state  of  affairs/'  the  Assembly  appoint- 
ed Benjamin  Hall  of  Wallingford  and  John  Biggs  of  Derby, 
a  committee,  who  were  authorized  "  to  call  and  conduct  a  so- 
ciety meeting  and  to  advise  and  give  an  opinion  about  a  place 
for  a  meeting  house."  The  committee,  in  pursuance  of  instruc- 
tions, warned  a  meeting  to  beheld  on  the  10th  day  of  June,  1 741, 
at  which  meeting,  Joseph  Clark  was  chosen  clerk,  and  Beacon 
Moses  Blakeslee,  John  Bronson  and  Serg.  John  Warner,  com- 
mittee. The  Assembly's  committee,  also,  "  advised  and  direct- 
ed tlieni  [the  society]  to  meet  on  the  sahbatli  fur  ten  nioiillis 
ill  the  year  at  the  house  called  the  school  house,  and  the  other 
two  iiiontlis  at  the  dwelling  liouse  of  Jose])h  Clark,  namely 
January  and  February."  They  made  a  report  of  their  doiui^s 
at  the  October  session,  which  was  "•approved  and  accepted." 
At  the  same  session,  the  society  again  petitioned  for  a  eonnuit- 
tee  to  locate  the  meeting  house.  Several  intluential  ])ersons 
disapproved  of  this  movement.  Certain  of  them,  to  the  num- 
ber of  ten,  to  wit,  John  ilow,  Ebenezer  Ehvell.  Jhirnabas 
Ford,  John  Sutliff,  Thomas  Blakeslee,  Daniel  Curtis,  Samuel 
Frost,  John  Sutliff,  Jr.,  Abel  Sutliff  and  Caleb  Huma^ton, 
signed  a  remonstrance.  They  did  not  want  a  comnn'ttee  called, 
because — 1,  The  committee  sent  from  the  Honorable  Assem- 
bly last  May  viewing  our  circumstances  advised  us  not  to  build, 
and  we  well  know  that  their  advice  was  good  considering  our 
poverty."  2.  Only  nine  were  in  llie  vote  for  sending  for  a  com- 
mittee. 3.  The  meeting  was  not  warned  "  to  confer  about  any 
such  thing." 

Notwithstanding  the  opposition,  Oapt  John  Biggs  and  Capt. 
John  Fowler  were  appointed  to  designate  a  place  for  a  meet- 
ing house.  At  the  next  session,  in  May,  (1742,)  the  commit- 
tee reported  that  they  had  selected  a  place  and  set  a  stake 
"  twenty  n)d8  on  the  westward  side  of  the  One  Pine  Swamp," 
and  thirty  rods  south  of  the  road  leading  from  the  river  east- 
ward. The  report  was  accej)ted  and  a|)proved  ;  but  nothing 
was  dnne,  immediately,  in  the  way  of  l>uilding, 

Dec.  3,  1744,  the  society  voted  to  build  a  meeting  liouso  at 


272 


mSTOBT  OF  WATESBUBT. 


the  committee's  stake,  and  resolved  for  the  enduing  year  to 
meet  for  worship  at  the  houses  of  Daniel  Potter,  Saiimel  Todd 
and  Caleb  Weed.  At  a  meeting  held  Sept.  24, 1745,  in  con- 
sequence of  a  pending  vote,  "Baraabas  Ford,  Thomas  Blakslee 
and  David  Blakslee  declared  their  decent  from  their  land  being 
taxed  for  the  buUding  a  meeting  house  for  the  decenters  open- 
ly in  the  meeting."  A  vote  was  then  passed  to  apply  to  the 
Assembly  for  a  tax  on  land  of  6d.  per  acre  for  four  years, 
the  lands  of  the  Ohurch-of-England  men  to  be  exempted.  It 
was  also  agreed  that  an  attempt  should  be  made  "  to  have  the 
middle  stake  confirmed  for  the  meeting  house."  John  Warner 
acted  as  the  agent  of  the  society,  and  in  his  memorial  presented 
in  Oct.  (1745)  represented  that  about  one  third  of  the  society 
had  declared  for  the  Church  of  England,  and  tliat  the  western 
inhabitants,  for  wliuse  aeconniKKlation  the  old  stake  had  lieen 
8ct,  had  "  f^cnerally  "  so  declared.  In  the  name  of  those  who 
scnl  liiiii,  he  dc>ired  that  llic  stake  might  he  placed  "farther 
east  where  the  nii<ldle  stake  was  set  up,"^  and  that  a  tax  he 
lai<h  ike.  The  pmyer  was  granted  and  a  resolution  passed  as 
follows : 

Resolved  tbat  the  middle  stake  erected  hj  sd  Comnuttee  standing  by  the  path 
leading  from  I)ca.  Blakeslce^s  to  Isaac  Costless  dwelling  liousc,  about  twenty  rods 
eastward  from  the  brook  that  runs  from  tlit-  north  end  of  the  liill  called  One  Pine 
towanl  tlu*  riviT,  kIiuII  he  and  hereby  is  estahlislii'd  to  be  the  jilai  e  whoreon  to 
build  a  meeting  houtie  in  na'id  pariiih — And  that  all  the  unimproved  lundd  to  the 

limits  of  said  parish  (exdiuiTe  of  tboee  belonging  to  such  persons  as  have  profess* 
ed  for  the  Church  of  Boghuid)  shall  and  hereby  is  taxed  at  the  rate  of  6d.  old 

tenor  eitrrencr  per  acre,  for  the  F(M\oe  of  four  years  next  ownlngi  to  be  paid  by 
the  owners  of  such  lands,  and  to  ho  improved  for  the  boUding  of  sd.  meeting 
house  and  for  the  support  of  their  uuui«tcr. 

• 

Mnch  difficulty,  however,  wtu  experienced  in  the  collection 
of  the  tax ;  and  in  Dec.  1747,  tlie  society  voted  to  pay  all 
necessary  charires  for  law-suits  against  Caleb  Humaston,  (col- 
lector,) for  distraining  for  taxes. 

Dec.  9,  1745,  there  were  siirns  of  decisive  Fteps  in  the  way  of 
building  a  meetinghouse.  Dea.  iSloses  lUakeslee,  Lieut.  Dan- 
iel Curtis,  Ens.  Jolm  "Warner,  Joseph  Clark,  Jr.  and  Caleb 
Jl  innaslon  M  t-re  then  chosen  building  conunittee,  and  it  was 
determined  that  the  house  should  bo  forty-five  feet  by  thirty- 
live,  on  tiie  ground. 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


f 


I 


I 


Digitized  by  Google 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HISTORT  OF  WATERBUBT.  273 

At  a  town  ineetiiii^  of  AVatt'rburv,  lic  l.l  Dec.  8,  lT-i(!,  the 
town  voted  iij)oii  the  request  of  Northbiiry  parish  with 
respeet  to  t1ie  phicc  t(>  set  their  niectinf^  liouse  iip<»n,  to  jtur- 
chase  the  place  as  it  shall  he  stated  as  to  length  aud  Ijreadtii 
by  a  couiniittee  chusett  by  tlie  town."  Capt.  Timothy  Hop- 
kins, Capt.  Stephen  Upson,  Sern^.  Thomaa  Porter,  Capt.  Sam- 
uel Ilickox  and  Capt.  William  Judd  were  appointed  tlie  com- 
mittee.  Tlieir  doings  are  recorded  under  date  of  Dec.  10, 

1746.  Tkey  set  oat  a  place  or  green  convenient  for  a  place 
of  parade  and  burying  place  if  need  be,"  eight  rods  sontk  and 
eighteen  rods  north  "from  the  stake  appointed  by  the  Court 
for  the  meeting  house  for  said  parish,"  (of  jNorthbury,)  and 
sixteen  rods  west  at  each  end  fh>m  the  east  line  of  John  Brins- 
mead's  fiurm,"  being  twenty-six  rods  in  length  and  sixteen  in 
breadth.— [Land  Records,  Tol.  VI,  p.  252.] 

The  above  two  acres  and  six  tenths,  belonging  to  Hr.  Brins- 
mead,  or  Brinsmade,  of  Milford,  were  paid  for  by  the  town. 
In  order  to  enlarge  the  green,  certain  individnals,  as  it  ap- 
pears, j>urehased  of  Mr,  B.  four  tenths  of  an  acre  adjoining. 
To  the  whole,  Mr.  13rinsniade  seeins  to  have  added  one  acre 
as  a  donation.  These  four  acres  and  one  acre  more,  making 
five  acres,  Mr.  B.  conveyed,  April  1,  1747,  to  Caleb  Ilunui^- 
ton  for  £1.5  old  tenor."  The  land  is  described  ju»  lying 
*'  north  of  the  hill  called  the  One  Pine.''  Of  this  tract,  Ilum- 
aston  deeded  the  four  acres  intended  for  a  green,  Dec.  3, 

1747,  to  the  society's  coniniittee  of  Northbury,  said  land 
being  situated  "about  tlu-  iiui  ting  house,"  the  same  to  be  taken 
oSl  the  five  acres  had  of  iirinsmade,  beginning  at  the  south- 
east corner,  thence  running  west  twenty-two  rods  by  the 
highway,  to  lie  twenty  rods  Mide  at  the  north  end,  butting 
west  on  Brinsmade 's  land,  nortli  on  Humaston's  land,  east  on 
2£r.  Todd's  land,  south  on  highway,  and  running  north  and 
south  far  enough  to  make  four  acres. — [Land  Records,  Yol. 
VI,  p.  267.] 

Sept.  22,  1747,  the  Bociety  voted  tluit  nny  mnn  of  tW  InlirtV»itanoe  may  build 
ft  8abbath  day  house  for  oonvenioncv  .«o  will,  i»rouidod  he  sotn  it  on  y*  proon  on 
which  the  luetitig  buu.'ie  stundd,  prouided  he  setrt  it  on  the  outiside  on  the  line 
whare  the  society  commlty  then  standing  shall  say  fit,  and  alfi^  meting  they  voted 
to  cleer  the  meting  house  green  by  outing  brush  and  oleartng  it  away. 

18 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


274 


mSTOSY  OF  WATEIiBU&Y. 


Dee.  26,  lf49,  a  Tote  wu  passed  to  finish  the  lower  part  of  the  meeting  hooae 
vp  to  the  girts,  and  to  hare  a  Pew  upon  each  side  c»f  the  pulpit  and  owne  each 
side  of  the  fore  door,  all  4  in  number,  and  the  rest  fitted  up  with  aeats. 

From  the  last  vote  I  infer  tliat  the  new  house  was  nearly 
ready  for  occupation  iu  1749.  It  was  not  completed,  liow- 
evcr,  for  many  years. 

At  last,  Dec.  4,  1752,  the  husiness  of  seating  was  taken  up. 
Stephen  Curtis  and  William  Curtis  were  placed  in  the  fore 
seat ;  Ezekiel  Sanlbrd  and  Fbineas  Royce  in  the  pew  by  the 
pulpit  stairs;  Samuel  Curtis  and  Benjamin  Upson  in  the 
pew  next  to  the  north  side  of  the  pulpit ;  Jonathan  Cook  and 
John  Hamaston  in  the  second  seat ;  William  Andniss  in  the 
third  seat. 

Under  date  of  Dec.  7, 1753, 1  find  a  classification  of  the 
seats,  according  to  rank,  designed  as  a  gpiide  to  the  seating 
committee.  Here  is  the  record : 

Dignifying  y  meeting  house  hj  soehty  meeting  as  foDoweth— first,  the  fore 
seats;  2d  y«  pews  by  the  pulpit  stares ;  bd  y*  pews  ioiniog  to  the  pulpit  north  ;  4th 
J*  pews  by  7*  fore  dore;  y*  second  seat;  the  Uttia  pew;  y«  pew  at  the  Sooth 
end  windo  and  &e  pew  in  opposition  at  y*  north  end ;  corner  pew  at  y«  8outh 

west  comer  and  the  pow  at  y«  tiortli  wi'«it  corner  ;  the  8d  scat  and  tlic  \h  w  by  the 
south  dorc  and  the  puw  by  the  north  door;  the  4th  wut ;  the  pt-w  by  the  South 
stares  and  tlie  pew  by  the  north  stares  and  next  y«  liind  seat ;  y*  front  t^eat  in  y« 
galery  next  to  y*  8d  seat  and  y*  fore  seat  iu  y*  galery  next  to  y*  pews  by  the 
north  dore. 

From  what  can  be  gathered,  I  conclude  that  the  meetinfi^ 

liouse  A\  as  probably  begun  in  174C  ;  tliat  it  was  occupied,  in 
mild  weatlier,  in  1750  ;  that  it  was  glazed  and  tLe  lower  i>art 
put  in  order  for  use  throughout  tlie  year  in  175o  ;  tliat 
the  galleries  were  not  fitted  up  till  1762,  and  that  the  houso 
was  not  finally  finished  till  170S. 

Early  in  1783,  the  question  of  erecting  a  new  meeting  houso 
wag  agitated,  and  in  April,  a  vote  (03  to  20)  iu  favor  of 
building  was  passed.  At  the  same  time,  a  committee  was  cho- 
sen to  apply  to  the  County  Court  to  say  wliere  it  should  be 
])laced.  But  there  was  delay,  and  another  Conmiittee  was  se- 
lected for  the  same  purpose,  in  Jan.  1788,  In  March,  1790,  it 
was  decided  that  the  house  should  be  sixty-five  feet  by  forty- 
five,  and  a  tax  be  laid  of  Is.  on  the  pound,  to  be  paid  in  sheep, 
neat  cattle,  grain  and  building  materials,  the  price  of  the  lat- 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


HI8IOBT  OF  "WATSSBUtLY.  275 

ter  to  be  fixed  by  a  committee.  Daniel  Potter,  J.  A.  AVright, 
Isaac  Cartis  and  Zachariah  Hitchcock  were  the  building  com- 
DQiittee,  and  were  directed  to  inquire  what  tlie  house  would 
coat — ^the  woric  to  be  done  hy  the  "  jobb."  They  reported 
that  Gapt  Thomas  Button  and  his  son^  Thomas  Dutton,  3d, 
proposed  to  erect  it,  sixty-five  feet  by  forty-fire,  for  £727, 
193. ;  or,  if  it  was  made  two  feet  smaller  each  way,  for  £700. 
The  last  proposition  was  accepted.  In  November,  the  society 
dunected  a  committee  to  contract  with  Oapt  Button  and  his 
son  to  add  a  steeple  to  the  house,  provided  £150  could  be 
raised  by  subscription  for  that  object.  In  December,  1792, 
the  building  appears  to  have  l)een  nearly  finislied. 

Previous  to  1780,  West])ury  und  Xortlihury  were  indcj^en- 
dent  ecclesiastical  societies  only.  It  was  now  proposed  to 
form  rliem  into  a  distinct  township.  At  a  town  meetinij  in  AVa- 
terbury,  March,  17S0,  a  vote  was  passed  to  prefer  a  ])etition 
to  tlie  General  Asseinltly,  at  tlieir  next  session,  tluit  the  socie- 
ties of  Westbury  and  Nortlibury  might  be  incorporated  into  a 
separate  town  and  annexed  to  the  county  of  Litchlield,  said  new 
town  to  quit-claim  all  right  to  the  Bchool  and  ministerial  moneys, 
&c.,  &c.  At  the  same  time,  Joseph  Hopkins  and  others  were 
chosen  a  committee  to  meet  and  consi<ler  the  interests  involved 
in  the  separation,  and  to  arrange  the  details  and  report  make  at 
the  next  meeting.  In  May  following,  (1780,)  the  societieB,  for 
themselves,  petitioned  the  Legislature  for  town  privileges,  and 
at  the  same  session  were  incorporated,  receiving  the  name  of 
Watertown.  Nothing  is  said  in  the  act  about  school  and  min- 
isterial moneys. 

Jan.  14, 1782,  Messrs.  Aaron  Benedict,  Ashbel  Porter,  Dr. 
Abel  Bronson  and  Capt.  John  Welton  were  chosen  on  the 
part  of  Waterbury  to  meet  the  selectmen  of  Watertown,  and 
run  the  line  between  the  two  towns.  Their  report  may  be 
found  in  the  second  Book  of  Highways. 

In  May,  1740,  forty  individuals,  twenty-nine  of  them  de- 
scribed as  living  in  "  Derby  woods,"  (northwest  part  of  Der- 
by,) five  in  "Soutlibury  woods"  (southeast  part  of  Woodbury) 
and  six  in  "  Watcrbuiy  woods,"  (southwest  part  of  Water- 
bury,)  petitioned  the  General  Court  for  society  privileges. 
Those  residing  within  tlie  iimita  of  Waterbury  were  Isaac 


uiLjUi^ca  by  Googlc 


276 


HISTOBY  OF  WATSRBUBT. 


TrowViridgo,  Jdlui  AW-ed,  Jonas  Weed,  Josoj)h  Weed,  Tlioinag 
Oriborn  and  Joseidi  Osborn.'*  Tliev  stated  that  tliev  live<l  I'roiu 
seven  to  ten  miles  from  lionses  of  public  worship,  witli  bad 
roads  to  travel  and  a  river  to  cross,  and  that  thev  were  i:2,<»00 
iu  the  list.  The  Assembly  appointed  a  committee  to  in<piire 
into  the  L^rounds  of  the  j)etition.  They  reported  a  boundary 
line  for  tlie  society  ia  Oct.  The  two  houees  disagreed,  and  a 
new  committee  was  appointed,  who  recommended  the  same 
bounds.  Their  report  was  accepted  and  approved,  and  the 
society  incorporated,  May,  1741,  by  the  name  of  Oxford. 

In  the  same  year,  (1741,)  Oxford  parish  voted  to  build  a 
meeting  house,  and  petitioned  the  Assembly  to  send  a  com- 
mittee to  designate  the  place  for  setting  it  The  request  was 
complied  with,  and  the  place  selected  was  the  south  end  of 
« Jacks  HilL"  In  May,  1743,  the  people  asked  liberty  to 
embody  "  themselves  in  church  estate,"  in  order  to  settle  a 
minister.  In  Oct  1748,  the  clerk  of  the  parish  rr]  >rtedto 
tlie  Assembly  that  the  meeting  house  was  inclosed in  Oct. 
1744,  that  it  was  "  being  finished  f  in  May,  1747,  that  it  was 
glazed  and  the  floors  laid  ;  in  May,  1749,  Uiat  it  was  plastered 
and  the  seats  and  pulpit  "  being  })rcpared." 

A]>ril  29,  1793,  Joseph  Hopkins,  agent  of  the  town,  was 
directed  to  oppose  the  application  of  the  society  of  (Jxford  to 
the  Asseml)ly  for  town  privileges.  In  October,  1795,  a  vote 
was  passed  t<»  resist  a  renewed  attempt  having  the  same  obji'ct. 
A  sinnlar  cour>e  was  taken  in  Ajiril,  1790,  when  still  another 
attemj)t  was  made.  In  October,  179f».  however,  the  desired 
act  of  incorporation  was  obtained,  and  the  new  town  was  called 
Oxford. 

In  May,  1757,  certain  individuals,  thirty-tliree  in  number, 
living  in  the  western  part  of  Waterbury,  Urst  society,  and  the 
contiguous  parts  of  Westbury,  Oxford,  Soutbbury  and  the  old 
society  of  AVoodbury,  petitioned  the  Assembly  for  winter 
privileges.!  They  pleaded  that  some  of  their  number  lived 

*  AbOQt  1760,  the  following  pcrsotu  bearing  lists  were  InliabiUnUi  of  the  Waterbury  iwrtiou 
of  Oxford  society.  They  were  ■tgotn  «f  ft  petition  of  the  weitem  people  for  a  new  society  to 
be  calleil  MlUdlebury.  Tlulr  lista  an  asiMXcil :— Robert  Hsle,  £18 ;  Urnh  Ward,  £s9,  "s.;  Dan- 
iel Uawklu.«,  i^il,  m.;  Samuel  Woodnifft  £41,  16s.;  Noah  Cande,  £IS  i  Andrew  Weed,  £S1 ; 
Danld  Otbom,  £S1,  lOi.;  JokD  WMd,  £30,  Ite.;  Darld  JndMD,  £a,  8«. 

tTweotj  of  tb*  petitioiu  rn  are  recognized  ht  lnnglng  to  Waterbury,  ffrartCOl  lo  the  flnt 
•Odcty  and  tSx  to  Oxford  parish.    More  of  theiu  may  have  so  belonged. 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


BI8T0KT  OF  WATSRBUBT. 


277 


five  or  six  miles  and  the  nearest  three  miles  from  any  place  of 
public  worship,  and  that  it  was  extremely  ditiicult  for  them 
and  their  families  to  attend  the  worship  of  God. 

The  request  was  not  granted,  and  in  Maj,  1760,  the  petition 
was  renewed,  this  time  for  parish  privileges.  The  first  society 
of  Waterborjr  sent  in  a  remonstrance.  In  it  they  stated  that 
their  whole  list  amounted  to  about  £8,000 — that  there  were 
within  the  limits  of  the  proposed  new  parish  twentj-one  taxa- 
ble persons,  having  lists  amounting  to  £1,2S2,  Cn.  —that  there 
lived  in  the  east  and  northeast  parts  of  the  society,  three  miles 
or  more  from  the  center,  twenty-eight  tax  payers,  with  lists 
e(]ual  to  .£1,.312,  5s. — and  that  south  from  the  center  at  the 
distance  of  from  fonr  to  six  miles,  tlicre  were  tliirty->i.\  tax- 
able ])ersons  whose  lists  footed  uj>  i"2,'J2<!,  l.ls.  The  southern 
and  ea>tern  inliabitants,  they  contended,  were,  in  eacli  case,  as 
much  entitled  to  parish  ])rivilef!:es  as  the  memoriali>ts,  an<l 
nnglit  hi'  expected  to  ask  i'ov  them  shoidd  tlie  prayer  i»t'  the  lat- 
ter be  irranted.  Slioidd  the  society  be  tlms  cut  nj),  tlie  we.-t- 
ern,  eastern  and  southern  portions,  being  taken  away,  there 
would  be  left  within  three  miles  from  the  meetinghouse  [lifty- 
onc]  individuals,  bearing  lists  in  the  aggregate  of  £.'{,117,  4s., 
withtmt  deducting  £1,344,  4s.  for  the  Church>of-£Dglaud-men. 
"The  effect"  of  disniembemient,  the  remonstrants  continued, 
would  be  to  cut  us  up  into  mouthfnls  ready  for  tlie  devourer."^ 

*  Ib  eonneetleil  with  the  rcmonntrance  ftnd  to  confirm  Its  reprcventations,  the  names  of  the 
taxpftjen  la  the  dUBirent  sections  of  the  ohi  society,  with  their  lisu,  were  gtrcn.  Here  to  a 
copy  of  the  document.  (The  ■>hillinKM  and  pence  lo  Uie  original  are  omitted.) 

**  Uld  Slump  or  Town  Spot  [Toirn  Center] 


James  Ball, 

«tos 

Samuel  leott,  Jr^ 

£80 

Dea.  Thomas  Clailc, 

£144 

Andrew  nronsoSf 

03 

Obadlah  S<;ovill, 

117 

Benjamin  Scott, 

51 

KloMtbao  Ju<td| 

47 

Oeorge  Prtchard, 

48 

Baoiacl  Barnes, 

81 

Daniel  Barnee, 

n 

Daniel  Wellon, 

85 

Ebeneter  Waklee, 

88 

Dea.  Thomas  Dronson, 

HI 

jitiejjh  Hopklaat 

ao 

Comfort  I'lison, 

14 

Capt.  Thomae  Porter, 

John  Cole, 

t9 

WUiian  Scott, 

41 

llavld  Ortne, 

88 

TImotltjr  Olark, 

44 

Wttllam  HIekox, 

59 

Lt.  Okadlah  Richards, 

104 

Capt.  SkefdicD  Upeoii, 

44 

Samuel  Warner, 

60 

Ab^ab  Richards, 

ftl 

Stephen  Upton,  Jr., 

114 

Benjamin  Harrison,  Jr, 

„  S9 

Jeeeph  NIebolfi, 

08 

Koee*  frost. 

11 

Samuel  Root, 

43 

Samuel  Frost, 

6] 

John  SUwter, 

M 

Jonatlinn  BaldvlB, 

48 

William  Rotrle, 

55 

ficnjamln  liarrlMHIi 

46 

Exra  Uronson, 

IS 

Darid  Prtehard, 

81 

Aaron  llarrisoo. 

58 

John  Selkrlg, 

IS 

Tiiuoihy  Scott, 

iJS 

EllJtabeth  Porter, 

17 

L>aac  Prirhurd, 

61 

Daniel  Killum, 

45 

Tbomaa  Upson, 

64 

William  Adams, 

81 

Asa  Scorill, 

88 

Blsba  Frisbe, 

68 

■dmand  TompUm, 

110 

Ebeneter  Dronson, 

78 

No.  61. 

£8,11T 

Bumel  WttUame, 

50 

Betaben  Blakcilee, 

88 

uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


^78 


UI8T0BY  OF  WATEBBUST. 


The  2)etition  was  not  granted.  A  like  fate  attended  another 
presented  in  Oct.,  and  still  another  in  May,  1701.  The  last 
had  fiftj-luur  signers. 

In  1786,  the  old  society  agreed  to  pay  for  preaching  the  thou 
ensuing  winter,  eight  sabbaths,  at  West  Farms.  In  1787,  they 
appropriated  £d  lor  tlie  same  object.  In  1790,  West  Farms  and 
the  adjoining  portions  of  Wocwlbury  and  S(  >nthbury  were  made 
into  a  distinct  s-  •ciety  by  the  name  of  Middlebury.  Tlie  church 
was  organized  in  1796.  Seth  Bronson  and  Nathan  Osbom 
were  appointed  deacons.  The  first  minister,  Rev,  Ira  Hart, 
was  installed  in  1798,  and  was  dismissed  April  6th,  1809. 
His  snccessor  was  Mark  Mead. 

In  June,  1800,  the  society  of  Middlebnry  petitioned  the 
Assembly  for  an  act  conferring  on  them  town  rights.  Wa- 


Wm(  Bruwh  tbr««  mlU 

m  (or 

Bore]  from  matting  h 

«nie.  p 

Eheie  w«f«  Ibe  peUttentn 

•  Ibr 

parlih  prirllegw.) 

Amoi  Bcott, 

£46 

Benj.  Wlliiiot, 

£108 

Abner  Monson, 

£89 

J*inm  OronaoD, 

76 

Stephen  Abbott, 

83 

Isaac  BroDson, 

140 

Bwncaor  RkhMoa, 

m 

JolmSeott, 

» 

Iinne  Broaieat  Jlr^ 

41 

Ephraim  Bi^'pl, 

21 

K.InnindSOOtt, 

U 

KODlce  Scntt, 

IS 

Dr.  P.  [P«ter]  Powera, 

U 

Stephen  Mllai^ 

n 

DnTid  UUea, 

» 

ThomH  Hallvry, 

m 

IbcnMMr  Lnwton, 

10 

Josiah  Bronson, 

108 

Nathaniel  Ric]ia.'«on, 

60 

Me.  Si.  £1J8L 

BcnJ.  Bristol, 

46 

Thomas  Ricliason, 

56 

East  Branch  [afterwarda  Wolcolt]  throe  lulles  [or  more]  from  the  meetinghouse. 

Thomiu  Welton, 

William  Cole, 

£9 

WUliam  Mooson, 

£18 

BeqjMBlii  NIelMla, 

Soger  PrlchMrd, 

M 

John  Alcock,  Jr^ 

54 

James  Basset, 

L& 

James  Alcock, 

4S 

lolm  Alcock, 

81 

Joseph  Beach, 

b* 

\\  ilUam  Woodward, 

6 

BoQjunlo  Bcnhwn, 

49 

bane  OenTdnnd, 

tt 

lenneHopUns, 

151 

Scth  Bartiiolonn'W, 

62 

Jiv-i';.h  Hiltlirr, 

H 

Barnnlias  Lewis, 

•8 

Joacpb  jjutliff,  Jr., 

I 

Sbadrlck  Ueohaiu, 

86 

Abial  RoberU, 

IB 

C«ni«l  JobBWM, 

4S 

Jeetah  AdUne, 

as 

Joeiah  Boftn, 

40 

El<la(l  Mix, 

83 

William  Hickox, 

92 

Edward  Rogers, 

21 

Ablal  Uulicrls,  Jr., 

2 

No.  2S.  £1,«6] 

i,li. 

South  Branch  [afterwards  Nauj.'atuck]  three  miles  [or 

more]  from  uueting  hoaie. 

Abraham  Wootter, 

£76 

Ste|ihcn  Warner, 

£66 

Charles  Warner, 

£4T 

StephcB  HopklBf, 

111 

Isaac  Scott, 

44 

Enoch  Scott, 

41 

iMfa.  1  Terrd, 

11 

Jvhn  Ilnpklns, 

144 

Thomas  Porter,  Jr.* 

84 

Li.  John  Lewis, 

m 

Amos  Ortborn, 

T4 

Aaron  Terrell, 

88 

Oapl  0[ldeoii]  BolchldM»  1T4 

Ira  Beebe, 

16 

Benjamin  Tinker, 

S9 

Paiimel  Lt  wlg, 

119 

Ttrael  Calkins, 

8 

Pt.  i.ti.  n  Hopkins,  Jr., 

81 

Samuel  Porter, 

65 

Gideon  liickox. 

155 

£beaczcr  Judd, 

98 

baae  Jodd, 

M 

WnUnn  Hoadley, 

118 

Btaneon  Beebe, 

IS 

fiiilei'ii  ?cott, 

40 

Samuel  Hoa'lley, 

SI 

John  TiTr<  ll, 

48 

Moses  Terrell 

BetUamla  Prichard, 

18 

Isa«c  Spencer, 

TO 

0«org«8Mtt, 

SS 

Boathnn  Pridinrd, 

T>.'in.  Williams, 

45 

Jn-'tph  Pperrj, 

N0.M.  £S,n«.18e. 

OUvcr  Terrell, 

M 

Samuel  Scott, 

uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HI0TOBT  OF  WATBSBUBT. 


279 


terbiiiy  resolved  tu  <»{»pose  the  ai>plicution  ;  but,  at  tlie  same 
time,  chose  u  committee  to  confer  with  the  incmurialists  and 
''hear  their  propositions,"  &c.  The  committee  were  Messrs. 
Joseph  Hopkins,  Noah.  Baldwin  and  John  EiDgsbury.  The 
society  was  finally  incorporated,  with  town  privileges,  in 
1807/ 

So  far  as  ascertained,  the  first  settler  within  the  limits  of  pre. 
sent  Wolcott  was  John  Alcock  of  New  Haven.  He  bought, 
March  31, 1731,  of  Josiah  Bogers  of  Branford,  for  £82, 117i 
acres  of  land  on  Spindle  Hill,  described  as  in  the  northeast 
quarter  near  Ash  Swamp  or  Fotnckco's  Bang,  (in  the  north- 
west part  of  the  present  town  of  Wolcott,)  on  which  he  settled 
with  a  y"uii<^  family  in  the  same  year.  He  was  admitted  as 
an  inhabitant,  Dec.  18, 1781.  In  subsequent  years,  he  added 
largely  to  his  landed  estate.  After  Alcock,  Isaac  Hopkins, 
(tanner,)  Thomas  Welton,  Eliakim  Welton,  Boger  Prichard,  Jo- 
6e])h  Beach,  Eldad  Mix,  Shadrick  Benham,  Abicl  Koberts  and 
others  became  settlers. 

In  Oct.  ITOO,  certain  imlividuals  living  in  tlie  contiguous 
territory  of  Waterbiirv,  Fariiiin^ton  and  "  SouthinMon  hn)<j: 
lots,  on  tlie  Mountain,"  numbering  twenty -eight,  i)ctiti<>ned 
the  Assembly  to  make  them  a  distinct  society.  Tliey  stated 
that  tlu'V  occupied  a  tract  of  land  five  miles  square,  were 
£2,<Mj<)  in  tlio  list  and  lived  an  inconvenient  distance  from 
places  of  public  worship.  The  western  inhabitants  were  peti- 
tioners at  the  same  session,  also  asking  parish  privileges. 
Waterbniy  first  society  remonstrated.  They  said  that  the 
eastern  memorialists  (l)elonging  to  their  society)  numbered 
seventeen  and  stood  £811, 14s.  in  the  list — that  there  were 
twenty-five  of  the  western  memorialists  (embraced  in  the  first 
society)  who  were  £1,300, 13s.  in  the  list — and  that  there  were 
thirty-four  taxpayers  having  an  united  list  of  £2,220,  not  em- 
braced in  either  of  the  proposed  parishes,  who  lived  three, 
four  or  six  miles  southwardly  from  the  meeting  house,  and 
who  were  as  well  entitled  to  society  privileges  as  the  signers 
of  either  of  the  memorials. 

The  remonstrants  fi&rtber  declared  that  the  land  out  of  the 
center,  for  two  or  three  miles  each  way,  was  broken  and  bar- 
ren, so  that,  though  the  town  had  been  settled  for  nearly  one 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


2SU 


UI£TOfiY  OF  WATEBBUKY 


luindrod  years,  the  Jiuiultcr  of  those  h('aiiii<j^  li>ts  liviiii,'-  witliiii 
two  and  a  lialf  miles  of  tl»e  ineoting  house,  exelusive  of  Epis- 
copalians, was  but  sixty-six,  with  an  a^r^n-ei^'ate  list  of  £'3,f5(5l», 
Ts.  4il.  These  were  the  faets,  they  continued;  and  it  the 
])rayer8  of  the  memorialists  are  •^•ranted  and  Im  o  new  societies 
made,  a  third  would  be  aske<l  for,  eml)racin^  the  southern  in- 
habitants, and  could  n«»t  with  justice  be  refused.  If  the  three 
sections  were  taken  oti",  they  contended,  they  would  be  "strip- 
ped of  almost  all  tho  mhabitaiits  but  those  tliat  lis  e  within 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  meeting  house."  Such  action, 
"  tliey  were  of  the  mind,  must  lay  the  foundation  for  the  ruin 
of  the  society,  since  the  lines  [spoken  ofj  comprehend  about  all 
the  feasible  land  on  each  side." 

Tlie  petition  was  rejected,  as  was  another  with  forty-three 
signers,  in  May,  1762. 

In  Oct.  1763,  the  eastern  people,  numbering  thirty-eight, 
renewed  their  petition,  and  the  committee  of  the  old  society 
again  remonstrated.  The  latter  represented  that  the  memorial- 
ists living  in  Waterbury  numbered  twenty-one  with  an  nnited 
list  of  £998 — that  the  west  line  of  the  proposed  parish  came 
witliin  two  miles  of  the  meeting  house,  ^<  and  it  might  almoi^t 
as  well  come  quite  to  it  as  it  includes  all  the  inhabitants  that 
way  except  two  or  three  families^' — that  "there  were  two 
distant  parts  more  (be.-idi  s  tlie  mem<iriah'sts)  in  this  society, 
at  as  <rreat  a  distance  as  thev  and  each  of  tliem  biirijer  in  num- 
ber  and  list  (viz.)  at  South  Farms  nund)erin^  f  trty  eiirht  and 
£2,407  in  list,  and  at  West  Farms  tweuty  three,  aud  iil,iH8  in 
list."    The  remoustrants  continued  : 

So  there  arc  three  several  parts  under  just  tlie  same  need,  and  ^o  the  w  hol«>  po- 
ciety  with  i'S.ouo  list  \viu\ts  to  Jx-  dividtM]  inti>  fcmr  difTerent  soiirtii-^.  [  *  *  ] 
If  these  dLsiiiut  purtjj  are  exempted  Iroui  taxes,  the  Uld  Spot  would  have  fifty  sev- 
en bearing  lists  and  £3,189  in  list. 

The  tenor  of  the  memorial  leads  to  distraction  and  not  edification,  [  *  *  ] 
and  the  granting;  uf  it  wouhl  be  as  the  letting  fortli  of  wiiterM  that  will  soon  orer^ 
whehii  us  in  ruin  L  *  *  1-  Very  sorry  our  brelhren  slumhl  oblige  us  so  of- 
ten to  trouble  the  Hon.  Assembly  with  r<'|io  a  ted  accounts  of  OUT  situation  and 
ieanucssi,  especially  in  such  times  uii  these  we  live  in. 

We  [the  comnuttee]  being  concerned  in  malting  and  collecting  rates,  hav« 
enough  to  do  to  keep  from  starving  out  the  gospel,  by  coUecUng  the  moderate 
sums  granted,  which  is  a  rery  difficult  spot  of  work  in  instaueos  not  a  few,  unless 
we  would  drag  men  to  jayl,  or  destraln  from  them  by  force  what  we  are  acndble 
thoy  linow  not  how  to  do  without. 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


HI8T0RT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


281 


X<it\vifli>taiuliii<;  the  eo<>;ency  of  tliis  reasoning,  the  people 
of  i  anningbiiry  (so  called)  were  allowed  to  Lire  preaching  live 
mouths  in  the  year  and  to  set  up  a  school,  and  in  the  uiean- 
tinic  to  be  exempt  from  other  society  and  school  taxes.  ]  >iit 
the  line  established  as  the  western  limit  of  the  winter  parish 
was  not  satistnctory  to  the  first  societj.  Their  committee 
complained  that  it  came  within  two  miles  of  the  meeting 
house  and  extended  south  as  far  as  a  dne  east  line."  They 
prayed  (May,  1763)  that  the  act  granting  winter  priyileges 
might  be  annulled,  or  a  committee  sent  to  view  the  circum- 
stances, &e,  A  committee  was  appointed  and  continued  till 
>r:iy,  17G3,  when  they  made  a  report  and  recommended  that 
tlie  limits  of  the  winter  parish  should  be  contracted,  the  south 
end  of  the  western  line  being  made  to  run  farther  east.  Hie 
Fanningbury  people,  by  a  committee,  resisted  this  movement. 
They  complained  that  the  Assembly's  committee  went  beyond 
instni(  tion>,  and  prayed  that  the  existing  line  might  be  con- 
firmed, or  tiiut  tlu'V  mi'dit  be  incorporated  into  a  <listinet  soei- 
cty,  the  i'.\})ense  to  be  paid  l)y  the  old  society.  Sixteen  of  the 
inha])itants,  liowever,  to  be  inchided  in  the  new  parish  re- 
monstrated airainst  such  ineorj»oration,  Tlie  resnlt  was.  the 
As>enjl)ly  aj»pioved  the  report  of  their  last  committee,  and 
denied  the  adverse  petition. 

In  the  spring  of  1707,  thirty-one  petitioners  of  the  winter 
parish  requested  society  privileges,  and  asked  that  the  limits 
of  the  society  might  be  extended  into  J^ew  Cambridge,  (since 
1^!  i>fol.)  They  said  they  numbered  seventy -one  families,  and 
had  a  list  of  £3,^72,  8s.  (The  list  of  the  old  society  was  then, 
exclusive  of  Churchmen  and  Baptists,  £9,854,  lis.  8d.)  The 
petition  was  denied,  as  was  a  new  one  in  Oct.  1768,  with  fifty- 
two  signers. 

In  the  spring  of  1770,  another  petition  was  presented,  bear- 
ing forty-nine  names,  praying  that  they,  the  memorialists, 
might  be  made  a  distinct  society.  The  subject  was  continued 
to  the  Oct.  session,  and  a  committee  appointed  to  view  the 
circumstances.  Tliey  reported  that  they  found  within  the 
limits  described  about  ninety  persons  that  bare  lists  and  about 
sixty  eight  families,  exclusive  of  the  Church  of  England,  and 
the  bum  total  of  their  lists  to  be  about  i:i>,900."   The  report 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


282 


UISTOfiY  OF  WATEBBUHY, 


was  accepted  and  a  society  incorporated,  Nov.  1TT<>,  hy  the 
name  of  Farmingbury.  A  year  afterwards,  the  j)arish  asked 
for  a  hind  tax  of  3d.  an  acre  for  four  years.  Tlie  rci^uest  was 
granted. 

In  Deceiiiher,  1787,  the  inliabitants  of  Farniiii<j^bury  }>re- 
sented  a  nieinorial,  in  town  meeting,  giving  reasons  why  tliey 
should  be  incorporated  into  a  distinct  town,  and  asking  tlie 
consent  of  tlie  meeting.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  take 
the  matter  into  consideration  and  hear  the  proposals  tliat 
might  be  made  conceming  public  moneys,  bridges  and 
town's  poor,"  <&c.,  and  report  make.  Josiah  Bronson,  Stephen 
Ives,  Aaron  Benedict,  Ezra  Bronson,  John  Welton  and  Sam- 
nel  Lewis  were  the  committee.  "  It  is  rather  a  doubt  in  our 
minds,"  they  reported,  of  the  expediency  of  granting  them 
their  request,  on  any  consideration  whatever,  but  more  espe- 
cially upon  the  offers  and  proposals  in  several  articles  by 
them  "  made. 

Oct  8,  1792,  Farmingbury  applied  to  the  Legislature  for 
the  desired  ^t  of  incorporation.  The  town  voted,  that  if  the 
memorialists  would  within  eight  days  give  up  all  right  to  the 
ministerial  and  school  moneys,  pay  twenty  pounds  in  consid- 
eration of  being  released  supporting  the  great  bridge  on 
the  Woodbury  road,  bind  themselves  to  take  care  of  tlieir 
pro})ortinn,  aecnrding  to  tlic  grand  list,  of  the  town  poor,  and 
to  pay  tlic'ir  share  of  the  town  debts,  tlien,  in  that  case,  the 
town  would  not  oppose  the  object  of  the  memorial. 

In  the  spring  of  17!)(),  Farmingbury  was  made  a  distinct 
town  by  the  name  of  AVolcott,  and  Waterbury  apjiointed  a 
committee  to  settle  and  adjust  all  matters  and  concerns  be- 
tween  "  the  two  towns. 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Googlc 


HISTOBY  OF  WATEiUiUBr. 


283 


CHAPTER  XVIIL 

MR  LEAVEN WOBTVS  MINISTRY:  THE  THIRD  MEETINO  HOUSE. 

Till  1738,  when  Westbury  was  incorporated,  all  ecclesias- 
tical matters,  at  present  conaidered  us  ]>eIoiiging  to  the  aocietj, 
were  managed  by  the  town.  At  this  period,  however,  it  be- 
came necessary  that  these  matters  should  be  under  the  ezdu- 
sive  direction  of  the  different  societies.  As  there  are  now  no 
known  records  of  the  first  society  of  Waterbury  bearing  an 
earlier  date  than  1806,  and  no  church  records  anterior  to  1795, 
additional  diflSiculties  are  thrown  in  the  way  of  writing  a  con- 
nected ecclesiastical  history.  The  society's  records  were  in  ex- 
istence a  few  years  ago,  and  possibly  may  again  turn  up,  on 
removing  the  forgotten  rubbish  from  somebody's  garret.  The 
facts  which  will  be  given  have  been  gleaned,  in  part,  from 
some  brief  notes  taken  from  the  lost  records  staiie  thirty  years 
ago,  bv  the  late  Ik'nnet  Brunsun. 

Tlie  tirst  meeting  of  the  first  Koeiety  of  AVaterbiirv  aj>pear8 
to  have  been  held  Nov.  1(5,  173S,  at  which  time,  John  ISoiith- 
niayd,  Jr.  was  chosen  clerk.  Not  long  after  Mr.  Southmayd's 
release  from  his  ministerial  charge,  a  Mr.  Buckingham  was 
invited  t«»  become  the  minister,  but  he  refused.  In  June, 
1739,  a  call  "  was  made  out  for  theliev.  Mark  Leavenworth, 
a  graduate  of  Yale  College,  in  1737,  a  native  of  Stratford,  with 
an  offer  of  £500  settlement  and  £150  salary,  lie  was  ordain- 
ed in  March,  1740.  Towards  his  "settlement,''  several  per- 
sons gave  by  deed  certian  tracts  of  land,  llius,  Dec.  1, 1739, 
Moses  Blakeslee,  "  of  New  Haven,"  (then  about  to  remove  to 
Waterbury,)  gave  ten  acres  in  the  undivided  lands ;  Jeremiah 
Peck  ten  acres ;  Isaac  Bronson  seven  acres  and  a  half ;  Stephen 
Hopkins  seven  and  a  half  acres;  Stephen  Upson,  Thomas 
Clark,  John  Bronson,  Thomas  Bronson  and  John  Judd,  each 
five  acres ;  all  for  the  use  of  the  ministry  iu  said  society  in 
settlement"  Soon  afterwards,  Thomas  Judd  deeded  seven 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


284 


lUfiTOSY  OF  WATEHBU&Y, 


acre>i,  Jolm  S<>utlunav<l  ten  acres  an<l  Saiuuel  Scott  three 
acre>,  in  the  undivided  hinds,  and  J(»epli  Lewib  live  acres  iu 
*'  the  t;etj[uester,''  all  lor  the  >aii)e  (»l>jeet. 

In  IT-H,  ^[r.  Leavenwortli  refused  that  ]tart  of  liis  sahiry 
which  was  levied  upon  the  Chureh-of-Knijland  iiduihitants.*  In 
1748,  his  salary  was  increased  to  jC'2\)0  ;  iu  1749,  to  £'350  ;  in 
175U,  to  i:4oo,  "old  tenor,"  a  coniuiittee  at  the  same  time  be- 
jug  appoiuted  to  inspect  and  graduate  the  rates,  and  to  make 
the  salary  e(|uivalent  to  £150  at  tlie  time  Mr.  Leavenworth 
was  settled,  which  action,  the  record  says,  was  BatiBfactory  to 
Hr.  L.  In  1752,  his  salary  was  still  further  increased  to  £450, 
and  in  1753  to  £500.  These  regular  angmentations  of  salary 
were  designed  as  a  compensation  for  the  progressive  deprecia- 
tion of  the  cmrency,  occasioned  bj  the  repeated  issues  of  bills 
of  credit,  or  notes  of  circulation,  to  be  redeemed  at  a  future 
period  by  tlie  colonial  government.  These  issues  were  com- 
menccd  in  1709,  but  owing  to  their  moderate  amount,  the  con- 
sequences were  not  serious  for  many  years.  Though  Dr.  Trum- 
bull thinks  otherwise,  the  currency  must  have  been  a  good 
deal  depreciated  in  1739.  But  this  liad  taken  place  so  gradu- 
ally, that  the  effect  had  hardly  beefi  noticed.  In  this  year, 
the  S]»anish  war  l)roke  out,  and  to  defray  the  heavy  ex])enses, 
a  hiKij^e  issue  of  new  bills  was  made.  To  keep  uj)  their 
value,  thev  were  made  a  le«j:al  tender.  As  a  conse(|ueiice. 
the  old  bills,  called  *'(»ld  tenor  bills,"  which  had  been  and 
continued  to  be  the  standard  of  value  in  business  transac- 
tions, rajtidly  di'preeiate<l,  or,  what  amounts  to  the  same  tinner, 
all  othi-r  commodities  (piickly  a})preciated.  The  new  tenor 
bills  do  not  aj>pear  to  have  been  employed  inordinary  trans- 
actions, and  the  legal  tender-provision,  by  reason  of  com- 
plaints made  to  tlie  English  government,  was  soon  repealed. 
Additions  continued  to  be  made  to  a  miserable  paper  currency, 
and  prices  rose  to  an  unprecedented  extent  A  bushel  of 
wheat  which,  in  1733,  was  in  Waterbury  worth  88.,  and  in  1740 
10s.,  had,  in  1752,  risen  to  £1, 15s.,  and  in  1753,  to  £1, 188. 


*  It  will  be  r«inember*d  thftt  mlntoterlal  Usee  tertcd  qimh  Oharebmen  were  hy  tiw  eUtate 

to  he  pnl'l  over  to  tlieir  own  clor^'yinan  when  they  had  one  ;  but  at  thU  Ihue  1 1>«ISeve  they  were 
deatitutc  of  n  minister  in  Watcrburj.  Oonaeqacailjr,  the  taxes,  which  were  gathered  from  aU 
alike,  belouKcd  by  law  to  Mr.  LwvcBwortk. 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


HIBIORT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


285 


Kye  was  charged  in  1733  ;it  Cs.,  iii  1744  at  ISs.,  in  17^0,  at 
£1,  in  1755  at  £1,  8s.  Tlie  labor  of  a  man,  in  1753,  per  day, 
commanded  £1,  28.  In  all  cases,  old  tenor  currency  is  intend- 
ed. When  the  price  of  an  article  waa  to  be  paid  in  specie, 
or  its  equivalent,  it  was  cnstomaiy  to  bargain  for  *Mawful 
money."  About  1756,  the  paper  currency  system  exploded, 
and  the  people  returned  to  die  specie  standard.  In  that  year, 
wheat  was  sold  for  58.,  rye  for  2s.  6d.,  and  a  man's  day's  work 
for  2s.,  bearing  one  eighth  or  one  tenth  part  only  of  the  nominal 
Talue  they  had  previously  done.*  These  enormous  fluctuations 
were,  of  conrse,  productive  of  the  most  serious  mischief. 

In  17a5,  Mr.  Leavenworth's  salary  was  £05  "proclamation 
nionev,''  or  its  equivalent  in  old  tenor  ;  in  1759,  £54  ;  in  17C1, 
€^5;  in  1702,  £82  ;  in  1781,  £55,  hut  <>n  account  of  the  hur- 
(K'lis  ot'  the  sncioty  and  thi»  pnhlic  taxes,  ^fr. L.  agreed  to  accept 
i'l  ^.  In  1782,  the  salary  was  £<»5  and  £10  iu  wood  j  in 
171U,  £70,  but  Mr.  L.  gave  the  society  £5  of  it. 

In  1702,  in  consequence  of  Mr.  Leavenworth^s  increasing 
infirmities,  the  society  apj>ointc»l  a  committee  to  confer  with 
him  concerning  the  settlement  of  a  colleague.  An  arrange- 
ment was  made,  and  in  March  of  the  following  year  a  vote 
was  passed  to  give  him,  as  a  consideration,  £80  money,  twenty 
cords  of  wood  and  the  use  of  the  parsonage  lot. 

Mr.  Leavenworth  died  Aug.  20,  1797,  aged  86,  in  the  58th 
year  of  his  ministry.  A  few  months  before  his  death  he  offi- 
ciated in  public,  and  a  year  before,  as  I  gather  from  the  MSS. 
of  Dr.  Trumbull,  preadied  seven  sabbaths. 

After  Mr.  Leavenworth  received  an  invitation  to  settle  in 
Waterbury,  and  before  his  ordination,  he  purchased  of  Dea. 
Thomas  Judd  the  Serg.  Hickox  place,  then  containing  five  and 
three  quarter  acres,  for  which  he  agreed  to  pay  £250.  C. 
B.  Merriman's  dwelling  stands  a  little  farther  south,  but  most- 
ly on  tlie  same  foundation  as  the  old  house. 

Mr.  Leavenworth's  ministry  in  AVatcrbury  commenced  at  a 

*  Tbe  p««pto  of  Northlmryt  In  rotlof  Mr.  T«dd*fl  lOBetliiict  tried  to  fix  the  Tain*  of 

the  currency  as  compared  with  •ilrer  or  lawful  iiioik  y,  tliough  fSOemlly  they  dlil  not  make  »uf- 
ficieot  allowaoce  for  deprecistion.  Thiu,  1q  17S1,  sixty  ahllUaiit,  In  175S,  ilxty-clg ht  ahlUiofi, 
and  in  vnt^  •eTentr>tiro  ■hlllliig*,  w«ro  eeotldered  m  equlvalcnl  to  one  oonoe  of  sUtm*.  (Tbo 

U.  8.  mint  price  of  kIIvit  of  !<tuii'l.ir'l  purity  Sl.'.M  pi-r  oonCC, Troy.)  1b  inSi  tVtlTO  thU* 
Unfh  old  Unor,  were  to  be  paid  for  1  ebUUos  lawful  uMocy. 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


286 


HUTosr  or  watbrbubt. 


critieal  period.  Until  a  short  time  preyions,  the  general  inte^ 
ests,  secular  and  religious,  were  conducted  in  a  spirit  of  peace 
and  harmony.  Now,  however,  various  causes  concurred  to  de- 
stroy this  concord.    Westbury  was  incorporated  in  173S  and 

Nortlibury  in  1730.  From  tlio  moment  these  societies  were  or-  ' 
ganizetl,  soj>arate  aii<l  indeed  opposini:  interests  spning  up.  llie 
town  foresaw  the  ditHeulties  and  for  a  time  ojiposed  the  division ; 
hut  at  hist  yielded  to  tlie  necessity  and  })r(>priety  of  the  thing. 
After  the  separation,  tlie  diflerent  societies  regarded  their  spe- 
cial interests  chietly.  Tliey  even  went  so  far  as  to  nominate, 
in  their  meetings,  town  officers,  which  were  recommended  to 
the  town  voters  on  election  days.  These  attempts,  on  the  part 
of  the  different  societies,  to  forestall  action  in  matters  belong- 
ing exclusively  to  the  town,  at  last  became  so  annoying  ai  to 
caU  forth  a  rebuke.  The  town  voted,  Dec.  12, 1748,  that  the 
nominationB  "brought  in  by  "Westbnry  and  Northbury  "  were 
**not  to  be  regarded ;  it  being  the  j^roper  woric  of  this  day  to 
nominate  and  choose  officers  as  the  law  directs." 

Other  ditiiculties  ijrew  out  of  the  pnhlic  funds.  The  first, 
or  oUl  society,  clainu'<l  all  the  ministerial  pn>])crty,  thus  leav- 
in«j:  the  people  of  Westhury  and  Xorthhurv  without  re- 
sources from  this  <piarter,  (thouirh  tliey  or  their  fathers  may 
have  contri])uted  to  the  original  fund.)  Tlie  latter  were  of 
course  dissatisfied  with  this  state  of  things.  They  also  saw 
troubles  in  tlie  future  concerning  the  school  moneys.  They 
looked  forward  t  *  tlie  time  when  their  parishes  should  be  made 
separate  towns.  Then,  the  old  town  would  assert  her  exclusive 
right  to  the  school  property.  The  discussions  connected  with 
these  exciting  topics,  as  might  be  expected,  were  not  alwajs 
conducted  in  the  best  temper.  Much  bad  feeling  was  engen- 
dered. 

In  1740,  that  wonderfol  man  Whitfield  appeared  in  New 
England,  and  preached  with  amazing  power  in  several  ])lace8 
in  Rhode  Island,  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut.  All  clashes 
cauirht  the  enthusiasm,  and  New  England  was  in  a  hlaze  of  ex- 
citement. A  Kevival  such  as  mf»dorn  times  had  not  before  wit- 
uesscil  was  the  conse<|ueiK  e.  With  the  intensity  of  feeling, 
there  was  the  usual  mixture  of  bad  passions.  Great  diversity 
of  sentiment  and  angry  controversy  followed.    Strange  opin-  i 


HISTORY  OF  WATEBBVRT. 


287 


ions  and  imgalar  and  disorderly  practices  sprung  up.  Minis- 
ters forsook  their  pulpits  and  became  itinerants,  and  lay 
preachers  with  more  zeal  than  knowledge  were  common. 

All  took  sides.  ThoBC  who  favored  the  new  doctrines  and 
practices  were  called  New  Liirhts,  while  those  who  chose  to 
adhere  to  the  m)od  old  wnvs  «)t"  their  fathers,  di^countenan- 
cinn^  innovation,  were  denominated  Old  Lights.  The  clergy 
were  divided;  "wMie  the  magiutrates  aud  principal  gentle- 
men of  the  commonwealth"  were  on  the  side  of  the  Old 
Lights.  Oppressive  laws  were  enacted  and  ecclesiastical  dis- 
cipline attempted,  but  all  in  vain.  The  excitement  extended 
to  Waterburj,  and  Mr,  Leavenworth,  a  young  man  of  warm 
impulses,  sympathized  with  the  New  Lights,  while  Mr.  South* 
mayd,  more  distrustful  of  appearances,  sided  with  the  Old 
lights.  Some  of  the  meetings  of  the  New  Lights  were  ex- 
tremely boisterous  and  disorderly,  so  that,  on  one  occasion, 
JoLn  Soiithraayd,  Jr.,  a  constable  of  the  town,  felt  himself 
justified  in  appearing  in  their  midst  and  commanding  the 
peace  ot'  the  commonwealth.*  The  consequence  of  all  this 
was  much  ex.isperation  of  feeling  mixed  up  with  religious 
zeal.  Mr.  Leavenwortirs  ardor  led  him  into  dithculty.  He, 
together  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  llumphreys  of  Derby  and  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Todd  of  Northbury,  had  assisted  in 'the  ordination  of  Mr. 
Jonathan  Lee  of  Salisbury,  who  was  suspected  of  tlie  New 
Light  heresy.  They  were  all  brought  before  the  Association, 
and  suspended  from  all   associational  communion."f 

Owii^  to  the  general  phrenzy  which  had  taken  hold  of  the 
people,  the  churches  were  convulsed  and  many  of  them  rent 
into  fragments.  The  old  society  of  Waterbury  suffered  great- 
ly. Many,  annoyed  and  disgusted  with  what  they  saw.  turned 
Churchmen.  Among  them  was  constable  Southmayd,  the  son 
of  the  former  minister.  He  was  one  of  the  subscribei-s,  in 
1742,  to  the  fund  for  building  the  new  Episcopal  church. 
(Soon,  however,  he  returned  to  the  societv  he  had  left. 

Other  causes,  having  their  origin  in  religious  ditferences,  con- 
spired to  destroy  the  goml  feeling  which  had  ])reviousl y  prevail- 
ed. The  Church  of  England  claimed  to  be  the  established  reli- 


•  B.BnBM&^llttB««ifpli.  t  TlrttDikBll,n»pblM. 


Digitized  by  Google 


2S8 


msrOBT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


gioii  of  tlic  Colony,  imd  thu  Coii«j^regatioiKilij^ts  evcrvwliere  wero 
(K'chirod  dissenters.  Our  f;itliei*}i  were  provoked  and  alarmed 
b}'  this  (a;?  tliey  deemed  it)  extraordinary  arrogance.  They 
had  crossed  the  ocean  and  subdued  the  wilderness;  endured 
hardships  and  encountered  dangers  that  they  miglit  tind  an 
asylum  for  their  religion,  where  they  might  worship  God  ac- 
cording to  their  consciences.  Now  thev  saw  with  sorrow 
that  they  wero  not  safe  in  their  retreat.  The  same  dread  pow- 
er from  which  they  had  fled  still  threatened  them.  Episcopa- 
cy was  spreading  in  different  quarters.  Several  years  before, 
Hector  Cnlter  of  Yale  College  and  oflier  clergymen  in  the 
neighborhood  forsook  their  charges  and  went  to  England  to 
receive  Episcopal  ordination,  no  other  being  considered  valid. 
They  returned  to  this  country  as  missionaries  in  the  service 
of  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gk^spel  in  Foreign  Parts. 
Tfiis  was  a  powerful  society  in  England,  with  ample  funds. 
Kew  England  was  an  important  field  of  its  o|)erations,  and  the 
religious  disorders  of  the  country  favored  its  action.  Nearly 
all  the  Episcopal  clergy  were  in  its  pay.  The  Congregational- 
ists  of  Watcrbury  observed  with  ap{)reheiision  the  movement 
makiiijj  amonij  themselves  in  favor  of  Clnirch-of-En<'landism. 
So  great  were  their  feiirs  fn^m  this  (piarter,  that  they  re- 
([uircfl  their  new  minister,  Mr.  Leavenworth,  to  give  a  1>ond 
tor  £bi)0  to  be  paid  to  the  society,  "if  he  should  within  twenty 
years  from  that  time  [Nov.  21st,  1739]  become  a  Churchman, 
or  by  immorality  or  heresy  render  himself  uuHt  for  a  gospel 
minister,  to  be  decided  by  a  council."  Tlie  course  of  their 
enemies  in  opposing  the  payment  of  the  £100  voted  to  Mr. 
Southmayd,  and  their  conduct  in  Northbury,  showed  oi^ni- 
zation  and  determination,  and  proved  that  their  fears  were 
something  more  than  an  apparition.  Thus  the  elements  of 
agitation  and  conflict  were  at  work  in  all  directions.  For  a 
long  time,  those  of  opposite  religious  views  could  not  agree 
to  differ.  The  doctrine  of  toleration  in  matters  of  religious 
opinion  had  not  then  been  learned.  It  was  new  to  the  world. 
No  living  examples  existed  by  which  its  real  nature  and  practi- 
cal workings  could  be  studied.  All  sought  religious  liberty  for 
tliemselves,  but  nobody  thought  of  conceding  it  to  others.  At 
last  all  yielded  to  its  advantages  and  its  necessity,  and  peace 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


uiLjiu^ca  by  GoOglc 


HmOST  OP  WATBBBUBT. 


2S9 


returned.  lu  1748-9,  Mr.  Leavenworth  was  releaaed  from 
his  £500  bond. 

Mr.  Leavenworth  was  the  chaplain  of  the  second  reirinient 
(Col.  Whiting^s)  in  the  campaign  of  1760,  in  the  old  French 
war.  The  following  is  his  bill  for  services,  to  the  colonial 
government: 

To  my  5!orviiv  from  '21  March  to  N'oV  i,«  33  woekH  1  day  at  £99,  8*.  7d. 
To  my  oxfKMise  and  i-urryiii^  luy  baggage  from  home  and 

one  man  and  two  hor»eii,  2,  148.  7d. 

To  my  expensoB  returning  hooM  from  Sohoneetedy,  being 

able  to  traTd  bat  dowlj,  a  man  and  two  horses,  8, 18a.  6d. 

£\i<^.  If.s.  8d. 
Mark  LEATKNwoaiu. 

Mr.  Leavenworth  had  the  reputation  of  being  what  is  called 
a  "plain  preacher,"  not  having  always  the  fear  of  his  people 
heture  liis  eyes.  He  doubtless  thought  that  it  did  good  to  stir 
them  up,  sonietinu'S  roughly.  lie  liad  among  liis  hearers  a 
person  of*  some  standing,  who  had  the  intirmity  of  sleeping 
(and  probably  snoring)  in  meeting.  Thinking  perhaps  to  cure 
the  man's  weakness,  he  on  one  occasion  stop[»ed  suddenly  in 
liis  discourse,  and  addressing  himself  to  the  slee[>er,  said — 
"  Wake  up!  wake  up!'' — The  response  quickly  followed — "I 
am  not  asleep  any  more  than  you,  Farsou  Leavenworth  ;  so 
please  mind  your  own  business.*'  Of  course,  a  great  commo- 
tion followed.  Some  were  indignant,  others  amused.  Two 
days  after,  or  on  the  10th  day  of  June,  1760,  the  delinquent, 
Samuel  Root,  was  arraigned,  on  a  grand  jury  complaint,  before 
Thomas  Clark,  for  profaning  the  sabbath,  or  Lord's  day,  by 
rude  talking  in  time  of  public  worship,  to  the  disturbance  of 
both  minister  and  congregation,  contrary  to  kw."  The  cul- 
prit confessed  that  he  did  talk,  &c.,  and  pleaded  in  justifi- 
cation, "  that  he  had  told  Mr.  Leavenworth  that  if  ever  he 
spoke  to  him  in  particular  in  time  of  worship  to  wake  up,  he 
would  tell  him  that  it  was  none  of  his  business."  The  Court 
looked  upon  the  plea  as  insufficient,  and  ordered  the  gnilty 
party  to  pay  a  fine  of  "  five  eliillings  money  and  costs  of  court 
taxed  at  £0-4-03,  and  stand  committed  till  he  comply,"  &c. 

Mr.  Leavenworth  was  considered  a  benevolent  man,  having 

19 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


290  H18T0BY  OF  WATEBBUXT. 

a  larijo  lieart  in  the  right  place.  He  was  lenient  to  hi^  poor 
parisliiunei*s  who  could  not  conveniently  pay  their  rates,  and 
way  beloved  hv  all.  lie  was  in  habits  of  faniiliarity  with  his 
people;  could  pass  a  joke  and  enjoy  one  even  at  his  own  ex- 
pense. A  parishioner  brought  him  a  load  of  green  poplar 
wood  with  whicli  to  pay  liis  taxes,  ^fr.  L.  saw  the  swindle 
and  complaiued  of  the  pople."  "  Well,"  said  the  other, 
"you  BOmctimes  preach  pople,"  When  tlic  new  meeting 
honae  was  building,  Mr.  L.  took  a  lively  interest  in  the  enter- 
prise,  and  one  day  went  down  to  give  assistance.  He  placed 
himself  astride  a  stick  and  commenced  knocking  ont  a  mor- 
tice. One  of  the  workmen,  noticing  his  position,  (which  the 
rules  of  the  craft  did  not  allow,)  approached  steidthilj  and 
nailed  him  hj  the  slack  of  his  trowsers  to  the  timber.  The 
mortice  being  finished,  Mr.  L.  attempted  to  move,  but  fonnd 
himself  fast.  By  a  stroke  of  the  chisel  he  cut  himself  free, 
but  damaged  the  instrument.  In  a  mock  trial  which  followed, 
the  parties  were  both  fined,  the  parson  bdng  sentenced  to  turn 
grindstone  to  repair  tlie  chisel. 

Mr.  Leavenworth  preache<l  the  election  sermon  in  ^fay, 
1772,  in  Hartford,  which  was  jirinted.  It  is  the  only  st-rmon 
of  his  which  I  have  fallen  in  with,  and  is  a  respectable  per- 
formance. Its  main  subject  is  charity.  In  the  course  of  it, 
the  author's  love  of  liberty  comes  out.  lie  repels  imbVnantly 
the  charges  lirouglit  ])y  tlie  ecclesiastical  dignitaries  ot  Eng- 
land against  the  PuritaiH  of  America. 

In  17P4,  Edward  Porter  of  l  annington,  who  graduated  at 
Yale  College  in  1786,  began  to  preach  in  AYaterbury,  and  in 
October  was  hired  for  a  year  for  £90  an<l  £10  in  w  ood.  In 
the  year  following,  he  received  an  invitation  to  settle  as  col- 
league pastor,  with  the  oflfer  of  £'lt)0  salary  and  his  wood, 
with  the  use  of  the  parsonage  after  Mr.  Leavenworth's  death. 
He  was  installed  Nov.  18, 1795.  In  December,  1797,  how- 
ever, in  consequence  of  failing  health,  he  desired  to  be  releas- 
ed from  his  chaige.  He  was  dismissed  Jan.  18, 1798.  After- 
wards, he  continued  to  reside  in  Waterbury  for  many  years, 
had  some  difficulty  with  another  church-member,  and  at  length 
removed  to  Farmington,  where  he  died  in  1838. 

Holland  Weeks,  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  College,  was  the 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HISTOBT  or  WATERBUBT. 


291 


next  miniBter  of  Waterbury.  In  October,  179D,  he  signified 
his  acceptance  of  the  call  extended  to  him,  with  £100  salniy 
and  the  use  of  the  parsonage  lot  He  was  inetalled  Nov.  20, 
1799.  In  November,  1806,  he  made  known  his  wish  for  a 
dismission.  The  society  voted  to  nnite  with  him  in  this  object, 
bnt  decided  "  not  to  submit  pecnniary  matters."* 

Jannaiy  2d,  1795,  the  society  voted  to  build  a  meeting 
house  by  more  than  a  two  thirds  vote,  and  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  fix  on  a  plan  and  place.  On  the  sixteenth  of  the 
same  month  the  committee  reported  to  build  near  the  old 
spot,  sixty  by  forty-two  feet  It  was  decided  that  the  house 
should  have  a  steeple,  should  be  covered  the  ensuing  summer, 
and  finished  bv  tlie  tirst  of  Novenilu  r,  1700.  The  coinmittee 
were  also  directed  to  nuike  a  contract  tor  tlie  building  with 
William  Lcavi-n worth  for  ,i'^.">(>.  To  tlctVav  the  cxikmisos,  a 
tax  was  lai«l  of  lis.  on  the  pound,  on  the  list  of  171H.  The 
house  was  tUMlicatcd  in  170(».  A  boll  was  soon  added,  which 
was  to  weijjjh  from  six  huiulred  to  six  hundred  and  tiftv 
pounds,  whicli  it  was  voted  the  Episcopal  society  should 
have  the  use  of  "on  all  proper  occasions."  A  now  bell  was 
procured  ul»out  1813,  to  replace  the  old  one  w  liii  h  had  been 
badly  cracked.  A  new  cupola  steeple  %va8  added  about  1811, 
the  tall  old  spire  having  contracted  a  vicious  habit  of  leaning 
eastward,  as  though  earthward  inclined.  Its  cost  was  not  to 
exceed  $60.  The  pews,  with  their  high  backs,  (with  open 
work  under  the  rail,)  were  removed  at  a  later  date,  and  slips 
substituted  in  their  place.  The  house  stood  in  front  of  the 
present  residence  of  Dr.  Bockwell,  looking  southward,  with 
roads  running  on  all  sides.  The  growing  taste  of  the  village, 
consequent  on  thrift,  however,  discovered  that  it  had  an  un- 
seemly look  in  its  then  present  position.  It  was  consequently 
rolled  back  to  the  spot  where  the  Second  Congregational 
church  now  stands,  the  lot  having  been  given  by  Mi\  Scovill 

•  The  rurly  deacons  of  the  Wstcrbury  church  were  as  follows,  th*  date  referring  to  the  time 
of  their  appolntiDcnt Tbonuu  Judd,  about  ItSi;  Tbotau  Uickox,  about  1784 ;  TbooiM  Clark, 
akoal  1T«8;  Jtmrh  Ltwii,  aboot  tT4t;  Tk«BM  Btobmo,  abMt  ITM;  Thamaa  BmiMa.  td, 

about  1T56  ;  ?i»mn(!  L?wl«.  before  ITftI  ;  Andrew  Bronson,  before  I77i> ;  Jo-^cph  Hopkins; 
Tlmotbjr  Clark,  June,  1796;  Stcptieo  Brouon,  December,  J797;  Oanid  Brouaoo,  lUajr,  1600; 
JoMph  BaitbohMne«»Mar,  ISOOi 

The  early  phy^lrlann  of  Wa'crhury  l^t  srici.  ty  were  Daniel  Porter,  Ephralm  Wurn.  r,  Daulel 
Portar,  id,  Bcqjamin  Warner,  PreterTcd  Porter,  Tlmotbjr  Portar,  Isaac  Baldwin,  Prederkk 
iMVMVorth,  Jweph  Fortar,  Uvwi  Ikld. 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


292 


HI9IOBT  OF  WATEBSUBT. 


as  an  inducement  for  its  removal.  Scarcely,  however,  had  it 
reached  its  restiiig  place,  when  a  project  was  started,  and  after 
considerable  delay  carried  through,  of  potting  np  another 
and  more  fashionable  honse.  The  old  building  at  length 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Scovill  above  named,  by 
whom  it  was  fitted  up  for  offices  and  public  rooms.  It  re- 
ceived the  name  of  Gothic  HaQ.  Subsequently,  it  was  re- 
moved again  to  its  present  site  in  die  rear  of  the  Sec<md  Con- 
gregational church. 


OEAPTER  XIZ. 


.  EPISCOPACT  IN  WATERBUBT. 

Thb  movement  which  terminated  in  the  formation  of  an  Epis- 
copal church  and  society  in  Waterbury  commenced  at  an  early 
penod,  when  there  were  but  few  Churchmen  and  three  or  four 
congregations  in  the  Colony.  It  is  stated  that  James  Brown, 
who  came  from  West  Haven,  in  1722,  who  had  probably  heard 
the  preaching  of  Dr.  Johnson  of  that  place,  a  distinguished  con- 
vert to  E})iscopacy,  was  the  first  of  that  perenasion  in  Water- 
bury.  At  wluit  time  Brown,  profanely  called  Bishop  Brown, 
was  converted  to  tlie  En«rlish  clmreli  is  not  known.  Prolmbly 
it  was  not  till  after  his  removal  from  West  liaven.  In  17o7, 
according  to  tlie  Churchman's  Magazine  for  1807,  there  were 
in  AViitcrhury  not  exceedinfj:  six  or  seven  heads  of  families 
(Trumbull  says  but  two  or  three*)  m  all  who  were  ot  tlie  same 
belief.   In  tiie  course  ol'  the  year  mentioned,  divine  bervice, 

*  Dr.  Trumbull  appears  to  hare  obtained  bU  iDformaliou  from  a  niauuscript  k-tter  of  John 
Wdton,  bq^  «f  BadBdklll,  vboww  an  «arl]r  and  iBflaentba  nMuiber  of  llicehw«li,Mid  vhe  died 
in  1>16,  afid  W.  Xhli  IcttMT  vUl  b«  fotud  MDOHf  Dr.  Itunlwtt^  p«ptn  la  Tal*  Ooll«|« 
Llbrarjr. 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


inSTOEY  OF  WATEliBURY. 


203 


for  the  first  time,  according  to  the  rites  of  the  church,"  was 
performed  in  Waterbury ,  by  Mr.  Jonathan  Arnold,  a  mission- 
ary  of  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  Foreign 
Parts,  who  was  at  fint  settled  in  West  Haven  as  Dr.  John- 
son's successor,  and  who  at  the  time  was  a  minister  in  orders 
for  West  Jlaven,  Derby  and  Waterbury.  He  baptized  two 
infants,  both  of  wlioni  were  liviiij^  in  1807,  one  a  respectable 
nu'nibcr  of  tlio  ehurcb  ;  and  at'tcr  havinuj  oftieiated  a  few 
times,  removed  out  of  tbe  nnssion.  During  the  period  l)e- 
tween  Mr.  Arn(»ld"s  removal  and  1T4(»,  Dr.  Johnson,  tlien  of 
Stratford,  and  ^Ir.  l>each  of  Xewtt)\vn,  visited  AVaterbury 
oecasionallv,  ])reachinfr  and  adinini^teriii''  the  ordinances. 
Next,  a  ^Ir.  Morris  was  appointed  1)V  the  society  in  Ent^land 
to  oiHciate  in  tliis  and  otlier places  in  tlie  neighborhood;  but 
he  did  not  like  the  country,  and  soon  (about  1742)  returned 
to  £nrope.  Ucv.  James  Lyon,  (an  Irisliman,)  another  mis- 
Bionary, succeeded  Mr.  Morris,  about  1743.  lie  Iiad  charge  of 
the  three  parishes  name<l  above,  resided  in  Derby,  preached 
one  third  of  the  time  in  Waterbnry,  and  after  some  four  years 
removed  to  Brookhaven,  Long  Island,  where  he  acted  as  a  mis- 
sionary many  years.  Following  his  departure  there  was  a 
vacancy  for  a  time,  during  which  printed  sermons  and  prayers 
were  read  by  some  competent  person,  every  Sunday. 

In  1749,  Mr.  Kichard  Mansfield,  (tdfterwards  D.  D.,)  a  native 
of  the  Colony,  returned  from  England  in  holy  orders,"  and 
took  charge  of  the  parishes  of  Derby,  Waterbnry  and  West 
Haven,  living  in  Derby  and  officiating  one  third  of  the  time 
in  each  place.  While  under  his  charge,  the  church  flourished 
mnch.  He  is  described  as  a  man  ])eloved  by  his  people  and 
willing  to  make  any  sacritices  for  their  good.  Xo  extremity 
of  weather  or  badness  of  roads  prevented  his  vi.->iting  the  sick, 
baptizing  eliildren  or  committing  to  the  earth  the  remains  of 
his  parishionei*s."*  Mr.  Mansfield  e<»ntinned  in  the  mission 
till  1759,  at  whicli  time  he  withdrew  and  oecuj)ied  himself  with 
the  parislies  of  Derby  and  OjU'ord,  with  which  he  was  con- 
nected many  rears. 

The  prosperity  uf  tlie  Episcopal  church  in  Waterbnry  dates 

*  Bar.  OliwuieqrPrlBdto;llB&pabtlibcdlo  ttMChRNikle  flf  tta  Ohu«I^J1llr^  Bm 
»Im  ObuNhBUUi^  llagMlii*,  V(d.  IV,  pp.  ITl. 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Googlc 


294 


mSTOBT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


from  about  1740.  In  Januar}'  of  that  year,  certain  penons 
^  calling  themBelveB  Churchmen  remonstrated,  it  will  be  re- 
membered, against  paying  Mr.  Sonthmayd  the  £100  voted  him. 
Their  names,  fifteen  in  number,  were  spread  upon  the  town 
record  and  the  list  is  interesting.  Here  it  is : 


Kphraiin  Warner, 
Daaiel  Purler, 

Robert  lotuuKm, 
Junea  Brown, 
Beiyaiilin  Warner, 


Nuthaniel  Merrill, 
Obadiab  Wartior, 

Wohwd  WeltoQ, 
Joaeph  Smith, 
Ephnim  Warner,  Jr., 


Caleb  Tbomson, 
James  WUiiams, 
Thomaa  Barnes, 
Abraham  Warner, 
Samod  Brown. 


[The  above  list  is  co|rfed;firom  the  manuscripts  of  the  late  Bennet  Bronson. 

There  is  no  record  of  town  meetinps  between  Doe.  17^8  and  Dec.  ITlO.  One 
leaf,  perhap.-^  more,  of  the  record  book  is  nuK*;ing.  It  may  liave  been  lost  in  bind- 
ing. The  musiug  portion  was  in  existence  some  thirtjr  years  ago,  as  proved  by 
the  manuseripCs  r^wrad  tou] 

In  this  year  (1740)  came  the  great  Eevival,  bringing  in  its 
train  extravagances  and  disorders.  The  Episcopal  church  gain- 
ed strength  as  the  divisions  and  animosities  in  the  old  society 
increased.  Within  a  short  time,  it  is  stated,  twenty-five 
heads  of  families  were  added  to  their  numbers,  and  they  re- 
solved, in  1T42,  to  erect  a  church.  The  followiu<^  i>er8on8 
were  subscribers  to  a  fund  to  defray  the  expense : 


Jaiin'-"  Urown, 
Jolm  Barnes, 
Thontuti  Barnes, 
Joseph  Bronson, 
Natlianlel  Chum, 


George  Nichols, 
Thomas  O.sborn, 
Daniel  Porter, 
Jonathan  Prindle, 
John  Botttlunayd,  [Jr.,] 


Richard  Welton, 
Richard  Welton,  2d, 
EUakim  Welton, 
Ephrum  Warner, 
Ebeneier  Warner. 


John  Jndd, 

The  town  was  applied  to  to  provide  the  land  on  which  the 
new  house  should  be  set,  and  ike  following  vote  was  passed, 
Dec.  18, 1742 : 

Upon  the  request  of  Dr.  Bcujaniiu  Warner  and  othert*,  the  town,  by  vote,  gave 
Ubcrty  to  set  up  a  chnreh  on  the  high  way,  north  of  Edmund  8oott*s  honse  lott 
agidnst  the  apple  trees  in  said  8oott*s  lot  by  tiie  highway,  and  appoint  the  present 
townsman  with  John  Southmayd  a  committee  to  agree  with  the  said  Scott  to  get 
some  of  his  lot,  if  they  can  have  it  upon  rea^^onnble  term!!,  that  the  house  may  be 
iMtter  accommodated  and  the  highway  less  incumbered. 

For  Bomc  reason  not  now  imderstood,  tlie  f,'round  above 
dcsi^niatt'd,  an«l  wliich  is  tlu>  saiiic  as  tliat  on  which  the  pre- 
sent Episcopal  church  btuuds,  was  not  obtained  or  not  im- 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


mnOKT  OF  WATBRBUBY. 


295 


proved,  and  a  year  afterwards  the  town  gave  to  William  Selk- 
rigg  the  liberty  to  place  a  house  on  it. 

At  another  meeting,  held  April  10, 1743,  in  answer  to  a 
petition  from  those  who  "  were  about  to  set  up  a  church,"  the 
town  "  did  bj  vote  agree  that  provided  thej  purchased  a  place 
of  any  j^articular  person  to  set  their  house  upon  and  set  it 
acoordiD|;ly,  they  might  have  liberty  to  draw  twelve  pounds 
in  money,  old  tenor  bills,  out  of  the  town  treasury  to  pay  for 
the  same." 

A  few  days  after  tlic  al)ove  frraiit  from  tliu  town,  or  April 
20,  174;J,  wlu'ii  tlie  cliiirch  liad  already  hvon  commenced, 
John  Judd,  who  liad  recently  Ijeconie  a  Churclnnau,  for  £\2 
money,*  conveyed  to  James  l>rown,  Tlichard  Welton,  Ik'iija- 
min  Warner,  Moses  Bron^on,  John  Banu's,  llichard  Welton, 
Jr.,  Kobert  Johnson,  Jonathan  Prindle,  Xatlianiel  Gunn,  Jos. 
Bronson  and  (teorge  Nichols,  and  to  others  of  the  denomi- 
nation of  the  Church  of  England,  or  professor  tliereof,"  a 
piece  of  land,  "to  accommodate  the  setting  up  of  a  chnrch," 
described  as  the  southwest  comer  of  his  honse  htt,  "  wliere 
they  are  now  raising  a  church,"  being  forty-five  feet  on  the 
south  side,  next  tlic  main  street,  twenty-eight  feet  on  the  west 
side,  next  to  Willow  street,  fifty  feet  on  the  north,  and  thirty- 
nine  on  the  east  side.  The  church  stood  on  a  line  with  the 
east  and  west  street  near  where  Mr.  0.  C.  Post's  dwelling 
house  is. 

At  this  stage  of  proceedings,  or  in  February,  1743-4,  the 
Ghurch-of-England-men  determined  on  a  movement  to  obtain 
parish  privileges.  Without  such  privileges  they  could  not  lay 
taxes  for  building  a  church.  Before  going  to  the  Legislature, 
however,  they  applied  to  the  town  to  secure  its  good  will. 
The  town,  in  a  liberal  spirit,  resolved  that  it  would  not  oppose 
them  in  their  apjdicatiou.  Tlieir  petition,  signed  by  thirty- 
eight  persons,  came  hefore  the  Assembly  in  October,  1744, 
and  was  rejected.    Here  is  the  paper : 


*  It  U  ondentood  that  this  land  was  a  donation  by  the  grantor  to  the  EpUcopal  charcb,  not- 
vKlntMidlng  a  «eiMld«ratlOB  It  noitloMil  In  tlie  dc«d,  Mid  this  comMcntlon  correapoDdi  wltti 
the  grant  which  htid  Joft  hcca  Btda  bj  th«  towB  to  pttKhw*  groaad  on  which  to  plscc  th* 

church. 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


296 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATEBBUBY. 


Tlie  Memorial  of  tlio  siilist  rHiers  bcinf;  Professors  of  tli»'  Cluiroli  of  England 
and  iubabiUuiU  oi  the  Tun  a  ol  Waterbury  ia  New  Uaveu  cuuiitr,  b)'  their  ageut 
Ooet  Beij.  Wftrner  of  sd  WatertMiry,  Hamblj  sheweth — 

That  whereas  jour  Honoan  MemomUists,  being  Plroftflmn  of  the  Qnireh 
of  Engknd,  and  bomid  in  Duty  to  carry  on  the  Worship  of  God  amongst 
us  from  wliieh  there  arises  considerable  charges  that  are  Xeccswiry  in  order 
thereunto,  nn  Imildin^r  a  ehurrh  and  Keepinj;  it  in  K.-pair  with  many  other 
thing8  of  the  1-ike  IniportaiiLe,  Whicii  charges  (u,h  we  your  Hiiiiihle  MeniorialLsts 
think)  could  be  Defrayed  More  couveniently  by  a  Tax  upon  cacli  pcr^n  according 
to  their  List,  as  such  charges  are  in  the  nuiishea  estaUished  by  the  Laws  of  thia 
colony,  And  there  bdng  no  Law  of  this  colony  Enabling  as  to  Lay  and  Gather 
such  Taxes,  Humbly  pray  that  your  Honours,  in  your  fJreat  pondii(  <<.  woidd  be 
pleased  to  tirant  us  Piirri-^li  rit  vclcL'os  in  Every  portietd.ir  (the  Soliool  uidy  cx- 
ce[)ted)  as  the  rarri-]u  >  liii\e  i'stalili<h<><l  arcordiiip:  to  tlic  Constitution  of  this 
Government,  and  your  Memorialisti  a^j  in  Duty  bound  Shall  ever  pray.  Waterbury 
April  22*.  1744* 


Jonathan  Scott, 

John  Bams, 
Oershom  Scott, 

Gamaliel  Terril, 
Rol)ert  Johnson, 
Thomas  Welton,  Jr., 
Timothy  Porter, 
Nathan  Ilubbard, 
Benjamin  Prichard, 
Thomas  Welton, 
Nathan  Prind.d. 
Ebenezer  Judd, 
Dr.  £phraim  Warner, 


Stephen  Welton, 
Zebulon.Scott, 
Eliakim  Welton, 
John  Ak-oek, 
Joseph  Prunson, 
Jainr-i  Hriiwue, 
Janu-s  lii  ow  ne,  Jr., 
Joseph  Browne, 
Daniel  How, 
John  Browne, 
Thomas  Barnes, 
Mosex  Brounson, 
Daniel  Porter, 


Benjamiu  Warner, 

Jolm  Jiidd, 
Obadiah  Warner, 

Jonathan  Priudel, 
Isaac  Selkripg, 
Nathaniel  Merrill, 
Kichard  Welton, 
Joseph  Judd, 
Richard  Welton,  Jr., 
Edmund  Scott,  Jr., 
Rienczer  Warner, 
George  NikolK, 
Josiali  Warner. 


This  catalogue  of  namcB  may  be  supposed  to  represrat 
nearly  the  entire  strength  of  the  new  denomination  at  the 
date  of  tlie  petition.  I  notice,  however,  the  absence  of  three 
names  which  were  on  the  paper  of  subscriptions  for  a  church, 
to  wit,  Nathaniel  Gunn,  Thomas  Osbom  and  John  South- 
mayd  [Jr.] ;  and  of  five  names  which  are  on  the  list  of  those 
who  protested  to  the  paying  of  Ifr.  Southmayd  the  £100  in 
1740,  to  wit,  Joseph  Smith,  Caleb  Thomson,  James  Williams, 
Abraliam  AVarner  and  Samuel  Brown.  Of  these  eight,  John 
Sontliiiiayil,  James  AVilliams  and  Samuel  Brown  had  died  and 
CaU-h  Tiioiiisou  liad  ah-i-ady,  j)r(>huhly,  removed  to  llar- 
winton.    li"  we  add  tlie  remaining  lour,  all  Churehmeii,  (and 


*  OfeoarM,  tht  Ancnblsr  coaM  n«t  grant  this  petltioa  wtthoat  abaadoolnf  tbdr  lyatoai  af 

l>'?i<1iition  n-liirh  mn^v  Cotu'ri  -.'n(1r<nnlUm  fh«  rdlplon  of  the  State.  OtlMr  OborClUBCB  Of  Otkcr 
towiui  petUioued  for  corporate  privllcgei  wlUl  a  Uke  result. 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HBTOBT  OF  WAIEBBirBT.  997 

all  of  wliom  were  living  in  Waterbury  in  nnlees  Joseph 
Smith  18  to  be  ezoopted,)  to  the  thirty-eight  petitioners,  we  have 
a  total  number  of  tbrtj-two  indiyidnals,  representing  probably 
over  two  hundred  persons,  who  were  professors  [or  adher- 
ents] of  the  Church  of  England,"  at  this  time. 

At  what  period  the  church  was  so  far  finished  that  it  could 
be  occupied,  does  not  appear.  It  was  apparently  used  to  meet 
in  as  early  as  1744  or  1745  ;  tliounjh  it  was  probably  not  com- 
pleted till  1747,  (or  after.)  in  whit  h  year  it  is  spoken  of  in  a  deed 
as  erecting  and  carrying  on."  It  war?  a  Muail  bnilding,  nnicli 
Hiiiailer  tlian  tlie  (^mgregatinnal  house,  of  a  mean  ai>pearance, 
with  LTaU'i-ie.N  altnvi'  and  pews  l>el(»\v,  and  a.-inirle  dnor  ui  \t  tlic 
main  ^tl•l•et.  It  is  distinctly  reineni])ered  l»y  (turuld  people,  ami 
stood  till  after  the  new  church  was  built  in  1705.  By  the 
courtesy  of  the  society,  the  Congregationalists  met  in  it  for 
worshij)  while  their  own  house  was  beinir  erected  in  171)5. 
The  "sabba'  day  house"  which  belonged  to  the  church,  or  to 
those  who  met  in  it,  was  standing  in  front  and  a  little  to  the 
south  of  William  Brown's  house  till,  say  tliirty-iive  years 
ago. 

In  the  mean  time,  accessions  continued  to  be  made  to  the 
church.  A  spirit  of  liberality  animated  its  members,  and 
several  important  donations  were  made  to  it.  February 
11, 1744-5,  Oliver  Welton,  a  minor,  with  tlie  consent  of  his 
guardian,  John  Southmayd,  <^  for  £65  money  old  tenor  "  to  be 
paid  by  Dr.  Benjamin  Warner  and  others,  professors  of  the 
Church  of  England,  conveyed  to  them  and  their  successors,  as 
a  gleeb  for  the  use  of  the  church  forever,"  two  acres  of  land  orig- 
inally Jolin  Welton,  Sen's,  house  lot,  bounded  east  on  Edmund 
Scott's  house  lot,  west  on  said  Southmavd's  house  lot,  6:c 
This  deed  Welton*  confirmed  ten  montlis  afterwards,  wlieii  he 
became  of  age.    The  laud  thus  conveyed,  it  will  be  noticed, 


•  Oliver  Welton,  cnii«l.!t  rpf!  one  of  thf  nUMt faiportant  benefactors  ->r  the  FpWcojif^l  rhiirch 
of  Walerburj,  (the  land  »poken  of  being rtgtrdcd  m  a  douallonj  wa«  a  »ou  of  John  aud  a 
giMidMB  Of  John,  Sen.,  (aa  erIglMl  proprietor.)  Ho      bora  Dm.  94,  ITM ;  wtimA  through 

tlie  oM  Frrnr'i  war;  lit-lJ  the  rank  of  cn!«lirn  and  afterward^  of  lliMiti-nant ;  wag  In  tti<>  action 
at  Lake  Ueorgc  and  (according  to  the  Churcbman't  Magazine)  at  "  the  repulse  at  CrowD  Point 
When  thogBllut  Lord  HowowMklUad.**  Of  thoM  leaaot  ho  voVId  tpMlt,  Id  hii  oM  ago,  with 
ti>e  Kreotwt  MMtloB,  lUl  the  tcMf*  flowod  Md  hIs  iilterMMO  WM  choked.  Bo  died  Mot.  10^ 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


29S  maTOBY  of  wateebust. 

lay  a  little  west  of  the  present  Episcopal  cliurcli.  March  6, 
1644-5,  Jonathan  Scott  and  Daniel  Scott  deeded  to  the  same 
committee,  for  the  samepmpose,  (no  consideration  mentioned,) 
seventeen  and  a  half  acres  of  woodland,  westward  of  the 
town,  which  is  still  owned  hj  the  parish,  and  is  situated  in  the 
"Park,"  so  called.  April  19, 1745,  John  Jndd,  for  £21,  old 
tenor,  deeded  to  Benjamin  Warner,  Joseph  Bronson,  and  Jon- 
athan Prindle  and  their  successors,  &c.,  "  as  a  glebe/'  six  and 
three  quarter  acres  of  land  northward  from  the  town,  hound- 
ed west  on  the  highway  by  the  common  fence,  &c.  The  land 
thus  described  is  situated  on  the  east  side  of  Willow  street, 
one  hundred  rods  or  so  nortli  of  Main  street,  and  is  still  in  the 
possession  of  the  parisli.  At  the  same  time,  and  in  the  -ame 
deed,  Tiiomas  Barnes  <^avenine  acres  and  tifty-eiglit  rods  Iving 
westward  of  the  ohl  town  plot  lots,  (recorded  in  lj<H>k  111,  p. 
326.)*  Two  years  at'terwards,  (or  March  25,  1747,)  the  com- 
mittee named  in  the  several  deeds,  conveyed  the  lands  men- 
tioned as  follows : 

In  ooaaideimtiOD  of  £700  old  tenor  money  truly  paid  by  Richard  Welton  end 
Bondry  other  persone,  profeaeora  of  the  Church  of  England,  [we]  do  hercbj  give 

and  grant  the  following  parcels  of  land,  intending  the  aame  for  the  lint  glebe 
landn  to  endow  a  certain  parish  church  in  Watorhury,  erecting  and  carrying  on, 
for  the  better  aceomplisluufr  the  endeavours  aim  t'said,  in  pteul  reverence  ami  re- 
gard to  the  Church  ut  England  as  cstabliiihed  by  law,  and  her  cxcellcut  doctrine^i, 
service,  unity  and  order  preferable  to  any  other  upon  earth,  for  the  honor  of  God, 
the  eoreet  peace  and  comfort  of  oursdvee,  neighbora  and  poaterity,  have  founded 
the  parish  chnreh  aforesaid  for  the  use  aforemid,  and  for  the  endowment  thereof 
do  by  these  presents  freely  give,  gmnt,  convey  and  confirm  unto  the  Society  for 
Propagating  the  (lospel  in  Foreign  rart:<  the  following  pioccf  and  parcels  of  land 
and  buildings  in  Walerbury,  that  is  to  say — tw  o  acres  of  land  with  a  house  and 
fruit  trees,  [here  the  eeveral  parcels  are  described,  all  in  trust,] — as  soon  as  there 
•hall  be  a  rector  according  to  the  order  of  the  churdi  of  Sngkndby  law  establish- 
ed, inadtnted  and  inducted,  ifate  premises  shall  be  and  inure  to  the  use  of  such 
rector  incumbent  and  his  successors  as  the  glebe  hmds  of  the  said  church  in  fee 
simple  forever. 

Soon  after  Oliver  Welton's  conveyance  to  the  parish,  a 
house  for  a  parsonage  was  commenced  by  private  subscription. 
Mr.  Lyon  reported  in  1745,  that  it  was  then  in  the  course  of 
erection  and  was  expected  to  bo  finished  in  the  faU  of  that 


•  All  the  aliOTe  uitDtlMed  traeto  «r  land areeoaiidered  m  gifis  ta  IIm  ehwdi  bjr  Ike  granton, 
though  •  speoUle  som  li,  la  soaie  laitauoes,  noitloned  u  the  eoaslderatloa* 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HI8T0BY  OF  WATKBBUBT. 


299 


year.*  The  deed  to  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel, 
in  1747,  mentions  a  house,"  so  the  building  was  probably 
completed  at  the  time  anticipated. 

The  grand  list  of  those  connected  with  the  Episcopal  church 
amounted,  in  1760,  to  £1,844, 4s. 

The  first  known  record  of  the  Episcopal  society  f  of  Water- 
bury  is  found  in  n  copy,  made  apparently  about  1770,  of  a 
former  record,  ke[»t  by  Joseph  Bronson.  It  relates  to  Mr, 
Scovill,  to  his  visit  to  Enr^laiul  for  ordination,  and  to  liis  pro- 
spective settlement  as  tlie  minister  of  the  p^lri^ll.    This  is  it: 

July  11,  1758,  at  a  meeting  of  the  uoMtry  [or  parish]  noted  that  we  wouUl  giue 
Mr  Scouil  twenty  pound  .ntariing  a  year  and  the  use  of  the  Glvub  prouiding  he  Got 
nothing  at  hum  [in  Kngland]  and  it  was  a  Greed  that  ira  tboiild  haue  half  h« 
Got  at  bum  —  at  the  muim  nMtiy,  uoted  that  we  would  Giue  Him  £22-10  Star- 
ling to  Carry  him  ham. 

Rev.  James  Scovill  was  the  eldest  son  of  lient.  William 

Seovilh  His  father  lived  on  the  Abner  Johnson  place,  on  the 
west  side  of  Willow  street,  just  above  Grove,  probably  in  the 
same  house  which  is  now  standing,  and  which  I  believe  to  be 
the  most  ancient  dwelling  within  the  limits  of  the  old  town. 
I  had  sni>posed  that  Kev.  James  Scovill  was  born  in  it,  (Jan. 
27,  1732-3,)  just  before  the  fatlu-r  s<»ld  out;  Imt  the  family 
tradition  is  that  he  was  born  in  Wesibury,  (on  Nova  Scotia 
Hill,)  thongh  there  are  no  traces  of  the  father's  residence  there 
till  Oct.  1733.  James  learned  the  weaver's  trade,  but  some- 
what late  in  life  became  a  member  of  Yale  College,  design- 
ing to  enter  the  ministry.  Before  his  graduation,  in  1757, 
his  father  died,  leaving  liim,  by  will,  £200  to  complete  his 
education.  Ue  returned  from  Kngland  an  ordained  minister 
about  1759,  and  took  charge  of  the  mission,  receiving  from 
the  society  at  home,"  £30  annually.  He  preached  one  half 
of  the  time  in  Waterbury  and  the  other  half  in  Northbury 
and  New  Cambridge,  (Bristol.) 

With  the  exception  of  the  copied  record  which  has  been 
given,  the  records  of  the  parish,  still  in  existence,  begin  in 
1761.  Here  is  the  first  entry,  followed  by  others  bearing  later 
dates: 

•  UAwktDs'  MiMfon  «r  the  Church  of  England. 

tltwBI  kamaMateNd  Ikat  Ika  KpisoopaUtai  wan  aoi  orgaaiMd  tale  a  ktal  «MM|r  tfll 
alter  tha  Baroiatloii. 


uiLjiii^ca  by  Google 


800 


lllilOlCY  OF  WATiJiUUKY, 


At  a  ncfltre  boldeein  St  Jemetes  Church  tX  Waterbory  on  the  A  day  of  aprel  Mtl 
— ^At  ad  Tctlry  Mr.  Thomos  Osborn  was  choMO  Ciuk  hj  the  request  [of]  Mr. 

JaniCi)  Sconol  Timothy  porter  and  John  Wcllon  wai.s  chofion  Churrh  Wordens — ■ 
voted  in  sd  uf-try  to  ;rivo  the  widow  hari.«on  £l-<v-<t  tliat  wiux  Due  from  Iter  on 
account  of  sum  work  that  licr  liushutid  was  to  Due  to  tlio  CImuvIi — voted  in  f-d 
▼estry  that  Ebeuezar  Waruvr  eliuuld  uahuI  iu  tuning  the  ptialiu — voted  in  gd  ucs* 
try  that  Sam^i  Brown  should  a  rist  In  tuning  The  psilm— Toted  in  sd  vestry  that 
heiekiah  Brown  Should  a  Sist  in  tuning  the  psshn— voted  in  ed  uestry  that  we 
will  meet  in  the  Church  t^:\  Smi  l  i  v  -  jmd  read  prayers  when  Mr.  Scouel  is  absent — 
noted  iu  ^d  uestry  that  Mr.  Scouil  sliuU  luiuc  what  i«  Due  for  tlie  rent  of  the  frlcbe, 

[Marrh  17,  1T(>*J,  Davul  Warner,  AlMah.ini  Ilickox  and  Eleazer  I'rindle  were  t  ho.8- 
cu  societies  coniuiiticc  uud  Timothy  Torter,  Jr.,  collector  to  gatlier  Mr.  ScovUl'Hrute. 
The  parish  also  voted  that]  Mr.  Seovell  shall  have  the  foremost  pew  next  the 
Broad  alley  In  the  East  End  of  the  Church. 

March  S"*,  1768,  the  vestry  [pari-ih]  voted  that  they  will  he  at  the  cost  of  a  uestry 
Book — and  tliat  the  money  helonfrin;;  to  the  church  ^•hall  lie  laid  out  to  furni-ih 
the  coniiniuiion  tahle  and  to  pet  a  eho-han  for  the  pulpit  and  otiier  tliin<:>*  n<'ees- 
8ary  fur  the  pulpit  and  reading  detik. — voted  that  Abraham  Ilickox,  David  War- 
ner and  John  Weltoa  be  a  committee  to  take  eidr  of  the  prudentials  of  the  church 
—voted  to  rdse  Mr.  Scovill^s  rate  this  present  year,  and  to  give  him  1^  penny 
on  the  pound. 

March  A,  1764,  the  vestry  chose  John  Welton  and  Daniel  Brown  church  war- 
dens, and  voted  Mr.  Seovill  1|  penny  on  the  pound  for  the  present  year  wi|b- 
out  any  deduction  for  the  gh'l)e. 

[April  14,  17t>5,  the  first  recorded  christening  took  place,  a  vote  having  previ- 
ously been  passed  thiU  such  record  be  made.  The  name  of  the  child  was  Micah» 
son  of  Xoah  Judd— sureties,  Capt  Edward  ScovOI,  Samuel  Scovfll,  Sarah  Brown. 
The  sixth  child  christened  was  Amasai  son  of  EbeneierBronson,  May  ISth,  1766. 
He  is  stiU  living,  aged  92.] 

Dnring  the  year  1765,  the  church  people  inWestbnry  erect- 
ed a  chnrch  for  themselTes,  which  was  placed  in  charge  of  lir. 
SoovilL  In  consequence  of  his  new  duties,  his  services  were 
withdrawn,  in  part,  from  Korthbury  and  Kew  Cambridge. 
Tlie  next  year  John  Welton  and  John  Ilickox  were  chosen 
cliurch  "wardens,  and  Mr.  Scovill  was  to  have  a  rate  of  £30 
liiwtul  money,  annually. 

April  24,  1770,  Jolin  Weltou  and  Kphruini  Warner  were 
app(»inted  wardens,  and  a  vote  was  passed  "  that  AVe^itbnry 
shall  have  their  part  of  ^[r.  ScovillV  servit-cs  <»t  ])reacliinir,  ac- 
cordinjj^  as  tlieir  list  draws,  till  there  shall  eome  a  ininister  to 
Kort]d)urv  and  New  Canihridire/'  At  another  nieetini:  in  ( )c- 
to])er,  the  vestrv  voted  ''that  we  will  pay  £45  starling  as  a 
yearns  salai'y  to  he  paid  to  the  minister  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land in  case  Northbury  and  [New]  Cambridge  provide  tor 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBBBVBT. 


801 


themselves,  wliicli  vote  is  to  continue  in  force  nntil  the  stiid 
Northbiiry  and  Cainbridgo  obtain  a  ])enefaction  from  tlie 
society  [in  England  p.  In  1771,  a  minister  was  obtained  for 
these  places,  and  Mr.  Sco\  ill  was  enabled  to  confine  his  at- 
tention to  Waterbury  and  Westbiiiy,  preaching  two-thirds  of 
the  time  in  Waterbury. 

April  15,  1772,  Seba  Bronson,  Hezekiah  Brown,  Epha  War- 
ner, Ebenezer  Warner,  Levi  Welton,  Ebeneaer  Bronson,  Lem- 
uel Kichols,  Stephen  Welton  and  Benjamin  Benham  were 
chosen  Qairresters."  In  April,  1781,  Richard  Welton  and 
others  were  appointed  a  committee  to  repair  and  shingle  the 
church.  April  31,  1788,  it  was  agreed  *<that  Mr.  8covill 
shonld  have  liberty  to  pnll  down  the  glebe  house,  leaving  the 
chimney  and  preserving  the  glass  for  the  church."  At  the  same 
time,  Ephraim  Warner  and  Benjamin  Benham  were  chosen 
wardens. 

After  the  close  of  the  Kevoliitionary  war,  in  17S3,  the  Soci- 
ety for  Propagating  the  Gospel,  cVc,  withdrew  their  missions 
from  tliis  country,*  in  pni*siiance  of  a  i»lan  wliich  confined  its 
operations  to  the  (k^pendencies  of  the  British  empire.  Thus  Mr. 
Scovill  was  de})rive'(l  of  a  large  share  of  liis  supjxtrt;  but  tlie 
English  society  ottered  him,  if  he  would  reniuve  to  ?s\'W 
Bnmswick,  a  liberal  increase  of  sahiry,  wliiK*,  at  the  same 
time,  tlie  English  government  hv\d  out  encouragement  to  ek'r- 
gymeu  in  bounties  of  land.  Mr.  Scovill  hesitated  long  as  to 
his  duty ;  but  he  felt  that  he  could  not  support  his  family  on 
the  salary  which  he  had  been  accustomed  to  receive  from  his 
parishes  alone.  He  offered  to  remain  provided  his  whole  in- 
come should  continue  to  be  what  it  had  been  while  a  benefi- 
ciary of  the  English  sociefy,  but  the  offer  was  not  accepted. 
His  parishes  had  in  fact  become  much  weakened  by  removals 
and  the  war.  His  people,  however,  seemed  anxious  to  retain 
him,  and  voted,  Kov.  8,  1784,  to  give  him  £55  salary,  in- 
cluding Westbury's  proportion,  according  to  the  original 
agreement"  Afterwards,  Sep.  1, 1785,  a  vote  was  passed,  "to 


*  It  to  etUiMtad  thai  darfog  ilw  fbrtf^  ywrt  thaltte  dmrch  of  WateKmrjr  was  oadcr  tb* 

care  of  the  EnKllsh  society,  It  rpcelvtsl  froin  It  nnt  ]v*<t  ifiari  ''Ix  thiiii^uml  ilottar-i  In  motit  y,  l>o- 
•tdea  liberal  tlvnaUoM  In  boukn.    [''Uutorj  of  the  Cliurch,"  la  the  Waterbury  Acucrican, 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


302 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


hare  Rev.  ^fr.  8c<>vill's  services  in  proacliinf^  one  half  of  the 
time  and  to  pay  for  the  ^anie,"  the  amount  being  fixed  at  the 
next  meeting,  in  Deeember,  at  £45  [annually.] 

In  1785,  Mr.  Seovill,  a*^ainst  the  advice  of  some  of  his 
friends,  went  to  New  lirunswick.  He  did  not,  however,  at 
once  remove  his  family.  JFor  three  anccessive  years,  he  re- 
tiinied  and  othciatcd  in  the  winter  season  in  his  old  church. 
It  is  mentioned,  in  the  parish  record,  tliat  he  was  present  at  a 
vestry  meeting  March  24,  1788.  Soon  after,  he  removed,  with 
his  family,  to  take  permanent  charge  of  his  people  in  Kings- 
ton, Kings  County,  where  he  died  Dec.  19, 1808,  in  the  fiftieth 
year  of  his  ministry.  His  widow,  a  daughter  of  Gapt.  George 
Nichols,  died  in  June,  1835,  aged  08.  (Sabine,  in  his  ^*  Loyal- 
ists," says  she  died  in  1882,  aged  90.)  His  son,  Bev.  Elias 
Seovill,  succeeded  to  the  mission  in  Kings  Connty,  and  died  in 
Kingston,  Feb.  1841,  aged  70. 

Mr.  Seovill  seems  to  have  secured  the  respect  and  the  con- 
fidence of  his  people.  Under  his  ministrations  they  contin- 
ued regularly  to  increase  in  numbers  and  respectability  until 
just  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  Kevolution. 
And  during  the  war,  he  coiidueted  liimself  with  so  much  dis- 
cretion, that  though  known  to  beaKoyalist,  he  escaped  the  in- 
dignities and  the  violence  wliich  the  Episcopal  clergy  of  Con- 
necticut, with  few  exceptions,  suft\'re<l.  He  had  the  courage 
to  continue  with  his  people  through  the  war,  though  it  is  be- 
lieved he  did  not  ])reach. 

Mr.  Seovill  was  known  for  punctuality  and  faithfulness  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duties.  "He  taught  his  people  from 
house  to  house ;  comforted  the  aged,  instructed  the  young, 
and  made  himself  agreeable  to  children — ^no  despicable  quali- 
fication in  a  clergyman."  "  He  had  a  grave  and  becoming 
deportment,  and  was  sound  in  doctrine."  He  is  believed 
to  have  been  a  good  man,  devoted  to  bis  work  and  anxious  to 
do  it  well.  One  of  his  manuscript  sermons  is  before  me.  It  is 
written  in  a  simple  and  devotional  strain,  and  in  that  spirit  of 
kindness  and  benevolence  which  so  mucb  adorns  a  minister  of 
the  Gospel  of  peace. 

In  the  first  years  of  his  ministry,  Mr.  Seovill  appears  to  have 
lived  in  the  glebe  or  parsonage  house,  standing  on  the  John 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


mSTOBY  OF  WATSBBUBT. 


303 


Weltoulot.  Afterwards,  lie  oooupied  the  house  in  whicli  liis 
son  James  lived  and  died,  and  which  stood  where  Dr.  Koek- 
well  now  resides.  The  old  house  was  removed  some  twenty 
years  rl'^o  :ithI  is  now  standing  on  South  Main  street,  a  little 
below  the  Baptist  churcli. 

After  Mr.  ScoWll  decided  to  remove,  the  parish,  May  I, 
1786,  appointed  a  committee  to  confer  with  the  parish  in 
Watertown  about  getting  a  minister,"  while  another  was 
"  chosen  to  wait  on  the  Bishop  at  Stratford  and  desire  him  to 
visit  US."*  Sep.  25th,  of  the  same  year,  a  vote  was  passed 

to  appropriate  any  money  which  remains  in  their  hands  to 
the  glazing  and  repairing  tiie  church."  The  next  year,  (Dec. 
8, 1787,)  the  parish  voted  "  to  apply  to  Mr.  Prindle  to  know 
on  what  term3  lie  will  settle  among  us,"  &c. 

AlUr  ^Ir.  Scovill  withdrew  wholly  from  the  parish,  there 
was  a  vacancy  tV>r  several  years,  during  which  time  sun- 
dry persons  ai)pear  to  have  heen  invited  to  j>reach.  Kev. 
Solomon  Blakeslee  othciated  for  a  time,  ;ind  in  Mav,  17^\K  re- 
ceived  a  call  to  settle,  with  a  salary  of  ^i'4<)  a  year,  "  for  half 
his  services"  to  he  auixmented  to  £'15  as  the  list  of  the  S')cietv 
incrciised.  He  declined,  and  afterwards  Kev.  Chauneey  Prin- 
dle officiated  for  a  season.  In  1790,  Rev.  David  Foot  was 
requested  to  become  the  minister.  For  two  thirds  of  his  time,he 
to  reside  in  Waterhnry,  he  was  otfered  two-tliirds  of  £85  money, 
and  fire  wood.  He  also  declined.  The  society,  in  trutli,  seems 
not  to  have  been  in  a  very  flourishing  condition,  and  the  temp- 
tations it  presented  to  a  minister  seeking  a  support  were  not 
great  The  parish  sought  first  to  strengthen  itself  by  an  union 
with  Bristol  and  Salem  (the  Episcopalians  of  the  latter  place 
having  three  or  four  years  previously  organized  themselves 
into  a  distinct  parish,  thus  weakening  the  present  society)  in 
the  settlement  and  support  of  a  clergyman,  an  arrangement  to 
which  the  people  of  Salem  were  favorably  disposed.  Failing, 
however,  in  their  object,  they  applied  "to  the  Episcopal  conven- 


*  BUhop  Seabary,  then  probably  oa  ft  impWTf  tMI  to  itratfoH*  bad  reenilljr  retoraad 
from  Scotland,  where  he  had  be«n  consccratr.)  the  flmt  Binhnp  of  the  United  Statt*.  He  wat 
sent  for,  it  is  prcaaned,  for  the  purpose  of  adminUtering  the  rite  of  conflrmation.  not  /et  har- 
lug  TMlted  Walartary  wltti  lhat  deilgn.  Got.  1, 1786,  tlM  fMord  wyi,  tve  hvadnd  and  Iftj 
■Uc  pmoM  nefllTcd  tbt  rito  of  eooanutUn  fkwn  BUMpSMborj. 


Dj*|ili^ca  by  Google 


304 


HISTUliY  OF  WATEKBUKY. 


tion,  and  requested  iJieir  advice  and  influence  in  uniting  to  the 
parish  the  Episcopal  parishes  of  Woodbuiy  and  Salem,  in- 
forming tliein  tliat  we  are  willing  to  dispense  with  having  but 

halt'  the  services  of  a  clergyman,  and  paying  in  the  same  pro- 
portion." At  the  same  time,  tliey  voted  to  confer  with  Wood- 
bnry  and  Salem  respecting  an  uni(»n,  c^'C.  But  somehow  Sa- 
lem appt-aits  to  have  taken  und)rage  at  .^^ouie  of  the  i)roeeedings, 
and  in  order  to  make  amends  a  committee  of  the  AVaterluiry 
churcli  was  instructed,  Aug.  29,  1701,  to  invite  the  church  of 
Salem  to  join  them  in  tlie  sn}>port  of  a  clergynnm,  and  to 
inform  <>ur  brethren  that  wherever  we  have  treated  them  with 
any  idutlof  neglect,  we  are  willing  to  recind  it  and  give  fresh 
assurances  that  we  will  treat  them  with  respect  in  future." 
This  was  satisfactory  to  the  aggrieved  i)arty. 

In  the  mean  time,  Kev.  Seth  Hart,  who  had  been  reading 
prayers  for  several  months  to  the  acceptance  of  the  people,  was 
invited  to  become  the  minister  as  soon  as  he  shall  be  put  into 
holy  orders."  His  salary  for  half  the  time,  his  residence 
being  in  the  old  society  of  Waterbury,  was  to  be  £40,  lawful 
money,  annually,  to  be  increased  twenty  shillings  a  year  for 
five  years,  and  thereafter  to  be  £45,  be  to  have  the  use  of  the 
glebe.  He  was  ordained  the  next  year,  1792,  to  officiate 
half  the  time  in  Woodbury  and  Salem.  During  Mr.  Hart^s 
ministry  the  society  flourished.  But  he  remained  not  long. 
By  his  own  desire,  he  was  removed  near  the  close  of  1794  to 
WalHngford,  and  soon  after  to  Ilemstiatl,  nn  Long  Island.  It 
appears  by  the  catalogue  of  Yale  College  tliat  &t/i  Hart'^ 
graduated  at  that  institution  in  1784,  and  died  in  1832. 

On  Mr.  Hart's  removal,  several  individuals  liberally  inclin- 
ed, united  and  bought  his  house  (standing  where  John  C. 
Booth  now  lives)  ami  live  acres  of  land,  and  conveyed  the 
whole  to  the  church  f<uevor.  The  old  glebe  house,  from  neg- 
lect, had  gone  to  decay. 

During  the  vacancy  which  followed  Mr.  Hart's  removal, 
T?ev.  Alexander  V.  Griswcdd,  liev.  William  Green,  and  TJev. 
Tillotson  Bronson  officiated,  successively,  in  Waterbury.  The 
two  firgt  are  nnderstood  to  have  declined  proposals  of  settle- 
ment Mr.  Bronson,  after  having  preached  several  months, 
accepted  an  invitation  to  take  the  permanent  charge  of  the 


uiyiii^ca  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


« 

BIBTOBT  OF  WATBRBUBT. 


805 


parish,  in  December,  179 T.  He  officiated  three  fourths  of  the 
time  in  Waterbury  (receiving  $250  annnallj)  and  one  fourth 
in  Salem,  and  continued  in  the  rectorship  till  die  enhanced  ex- 
penses  of  living  compelled  him  to  ask  for  an  increase  of  salaiy. 
This  being  denied,  he  felt  obliged  to  seek  a  support  in  another 
field.  He  preached  his  farewell  discourse  in  June,  1806,  and 
retired  with  the  approbation  of  the  bishop  and  the  good  will 
of  his  people. 

During  the  vacancy  which  followed,  Rev.  TTorace  V.  Barber 
ofBciated  for  a  season,  and  afterwards  became  tlie  settled  minis- 
ister.  He  resigned  in  1814,  and  was  siu  ceeded  hy  Kev.  Al- 
pheus  Geer,  who  continued  rector  fifteen  years.  Tlie  Kev. 
AV^illiani  Barlow  followed  and  remained  two  years.  The  Kev. 
Allen  C.  Morgan  took  charge  of  the  }»aris]i  in  Xovcinber,  1832, 
but  in  Augnst*183(),  resigned,  aiid  t^oon  died. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Bronson,  near  the  close  of  his  historical  sketch  of 
the  church  of  Waterhurv,  remarks,  as  somewliat  singular," 
that  "  out  of  near  a  dozen  [clergymen]  who  have,  since  the 
foundation  of  the  church,  officiated  here,  no  one  has  died  in 
Waterbury."  This  was  in  1807.  Now,  half  a  century  later, 
the  same  remark  may  be  repeated. 

After  the  old  church  had  stood  about  fifty  years,  it  was 
found  too  small  for  the  convenience  of  the  society.  It  was, 
besides,  out  of  repair  and  antiquated  in  style.  As  early  as 
April,  1798,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  agree  upon  a 
place  to  set  a  church  and  the  bigness  of  the  same,"  and 
make  report ;  and  in  September  following,  the  "  question  was 
put  whether  this  society  are  willing  and  think  it  necessary  to 
build  a  church — ^voted  in  the  affirmative  by  more  than  two 
thirds  of  the  members  present."  At  the  same  time,  "  Eli 
Curtis,  Esj].,  Mr.  Jnde  Blakeslee  and  Ca])t.  Amos  Bronson 
was  chosen  a  committee  to  set  a  stake  tor  thi*  phice  where  to 
bnihl  a  church."  In  tlie  meanwhile,  the  town  liad  appointed  a 
committee  to  give  the  assent  of  the  town  tlirreto"  when  a 
place  for  setting  **  a  church  or  meeting  honse  "  liad  l»een  se- 
lected and  aj (proved.  Unanimity  of  sentiment,  however,  was 
not  yet  attained,  and  Dec.  2,  1793,  the  society  "voted  to  pe- 
tition the  lion.  County  Court  to  grant  a  committee  to  come 
and  fix  or  set  a  stake  for  a  place  where  to  erect  a  church  edi- 

20 


uiyiii^ca  by  GoOglc 


300 


IIISTOBY  OF  WATEI4BUJtY. 


fice  for  Baid  society ;  and  also,  by  vote,  nominated  John  Wooo- 
ter,  Esq.,  of  Derby,  Messrs.  Thomas  Atwater  of  Cheshire  and 
Ahner  Bradley  of  Woodbury  for  the  aforesaid  committee,  if 
said  Hon.  Court,  in  their  wisdom,  sliould  think  fit  to  appoint 
thiMii."  Preparatory  to  tlie  aetii)U  uf  the  (juirt's  eonmiittee, 
certain  })crsoiis  were  diosen  to  get  tlie  iiiiiuls  of  this  society 
wliere  to  erect  a  church  editicr."'  wliile  others  were  appointed 
"to  view  several  phices,"  and  others  still  to  warn  the  ])eo])le 
to  he  present  when  the  coinniittee  met.  (At  the  same  time,  it 
was  agreed  to  erect  a  fence  around  the  old  church.)  A  stake 
was  fixed,  bat  the  place  was  not  quite  satisfactory.  March  17, 
1794,  at  a  parish  meetinir.  a  committee  was  chosen,  "to  apply 
to  the  County  Court  and  the  late  committee,  and  request  that 
the  stake  might  be  placed  five  rods  south  of  the  place  where 
the  stake  now  stands."  * 

In  Dec.  1794,  more  decisive  measures  were  taken  in  the 
way  of  building  a  church.  A  committee  was  appointed,  con. 
sisting  of  Messrs.  Ephraim  Warner,  Justus  Warner,  Heman 
Munson,  Titus  Welton  and  John  Cosset,  to  superintend  the 
work  and  collect  a  rate  of  2s.  on  the  pound.  Feb.  9, 1795, 
a  vote  was  passed,  in  parish  meeting,  that  the  above  named 
committee 

Bo  fully  authorized  and  cinpowfred  to  build  or  procure  to  l»c  l»uilt  u  detent  well 
finished  edifice  or  church,  ."^4  by  88  feet,  with  a  decent  steeple  on  the  oiittid»  «t 
the  ewt  end  of  the  same,  and  apply  the  money  heretofore  granted  of  28.  on  the 
pound  and  all  subscriptions  that  shall  be  made  for  that  purpose,  and  that  the  so- 
dety  consider  themselves  holden  to  said  committee  for  the  residue. 

The  1)usine?s  of  erecting  the  new  church  was  committed 
more  iiniiuMliately  to  ^[r.  Ard  Welton.  And  so  trreat  was 
the  contideiice  reposed  in  his  jndf;;ment  and  integrity,  [says 
the  Churchman'ri  Magazine,]  that  a  contract  was  made  with 
him  to  complete  the  building  according  to  his  own  taste  and 
present  his  bills  for  payment/'  In  August,  175)5,  the  frame 
was  raised.  Tlie  church  was  finished  with  great  neatness. 
Some  fresco  paintings  upon  its  walls  were  much  admired. 

Additional  taxes  were  imposed  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
the  churdu  In  December,  1795,  a  rate  of  Is.  on  the  poimd ; 
in  Dec.  1797,  a  rate  of  eight  cents  and  eight  mills  on  the  dol- 
lar, and  in  April,  1799,  a  rate  of  three  cents  on  a  dollar,  were 


Digitized  by  Google 


BI8T0BT  OF  WATEBBUST. 


307 


laid.  In  all,  taxes  to  meet  these  expenses  were  paid  to  the 
amoant  of  twenty-six  cents  and  eight  mills  on  the  dollar. 
This  single  fact  shows  a  degree  of  zeal  and  self-sacrifice  which 
is  not  of  every  ihxy  occurrence. 

In  October,  1797,  the  new  edifice  was  completed,  and  the 
people  assembled  for  the  last  time  in  the  old  building.  Mr. 
Bronson  prcuclicd  an  appropriate  discourse,  in  which  he  al- 
Indcd  alli'diiiirlv  to  the  solemn  scenes  wliicli  those  old  walls 
had  witnessed — "  On  tlie  sacred  dav  of  rest,  silence  is  hence- 
forth  here  to  reign,  and  soon  will  ruin  and  desolation  mark 
this  consecrated  spot ;  nntil  in  the  next  generation  it  will  he 
unknown  tliat  here  stood  the  house  of  God  ;  that  here  men 
were  M  ont  to  asscmhle  and  jtrayer  to  he  made."  In  the  i>re- 
ceding  March,  the  parish  had  resolved  to  sell  the  old  church. 
While  unoccupied,  it  was  sometimes  used  as  a  place  for  holding 
town  meetings.  The  avails  of  its  sale,  it  was  finally  decided, 
should  go  to  pay  for  the  new  house. 

Oct.  14,  1797,  measures  were  taken  to  seat  the  new  church. 
A  committee  had  been  previously  appointed  to  act  in  this 
matter,  and  a  rule  was  laid  down  for  their  guidance.  They 
were  to  take  the  two  lists  of  1794  and  1795  [on  which  build- 
ing taxes  had  been  laid]  and  add  them  together ;  then  add  £15 
for  every  year,  [the  individual  may  have  attained,]  beginning 
at  the  age  of  twenty  one  years ;  and  ab  those  that  had  no  lists 
of  1794  and  1795  shall  take  the  list  of  1797  and  double  it  to 
make  one  list,  with  the  addition  of  the  £15  as  beforesaid." 
The  last  part  of  the  rule  was  intended  to  meet  the  case  of  those 
persons  who  had  recently  joined  the  society. 

The  new  church  was  dedicated  Nov.  1,  1797,  under  the 
name  of  St.  John's  ehureh,  and  consecrated  hy  Bishop  JaiTis, 
this  hein^  his  first  ofiidal  act  after  his  own  consecration. 

An  tdegant  house  of  worship  heing  secured,  an  imj)roved 
style  of  church  music  was  demanded.  Tlie  society  voted  to 
employ  a  singing-master,  "  cither  with  or  without  the  Preshy- 
terian  society,"  and  in  August,  1799,  a  committee  was  cho- 
sen "  for  the  purpose  of  handing  about  subscriptions  to  raise  a 
sum  of  money  sufficient  to  purchase  a  bass  viol." 

According  to  tradition,  the  first  time  the  English  prayer 
book  was  used  in  Westbury  was  on  the  occasion  of  the  mar- 


Digitized  by  Google 


808 


» 

HUnOBT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


riage  of  a  daughter  of  James  Brown,  after  liis  removal  thither. 
Dr.  Samuel  Jolmson  officiated,  and  in  the  evening  preached 
and  read  evening  prayers  in  Brown's  bam,  parts  of  which  are 
still  standing.  The  marriage  referred  to  may  have  been  that 
of  Elizabeth  Brown,  who,  on  the  16th  day  of  June,  1742,  be- 
came the  second  wife  of  tieut.  'William  Soovill,  the  &ther  of 
Bev.  James  ScovilL 

For  many  years,  the  Churchmen  of  Westbui^,  few  In 
number,  attended  public  worship  in  the  first  society.  Soon 
after  Mr.  Scovill  came  into  the  mission,  however,  their  num- 
bers augmented  so  that,  in  the  latter  part  of  1764,  there  were 
twenty  whose  names  are  known,  (to  wit) — Asahel  Beach,  Seth 
Blake,  SanuicI  JJiown,  Jose])li  l)ro\vn,  Daniel  Brown,  Thomas 
Doolittle,  James  Dtiolittle,  Joiiatluiii  Fullord,  Juiiatlian  (iarii- 
sey,  John  Jndd,  Xoali  Judd,  Asa  Judd,  Jolin  llickox,  Jo.sei>h 
Hickox,  Josepli  Pricliard,  Eleazer  Prindle,  Gorsbom  Sc<»tt, 
Edward  Scnvill,  Samuel  Scovill,  William  Scovill.  These  ])er- 
sons  entered  into  an  agreement  "  to  hold  public  worship  in 
Westbury  on  those  Sundays  when  there  was  no  preaching  in 
Waterbury,"  until  a  church  could  be  built.  ^Tliey  met  in  the 
winter  aud  spring  in  the  house  of  James  Doolittle,  and  in  the 
summer  in  a  chamber  of  Ensign  David  Scott.  A  lot  was  giv- 
en for  a  church  by  Capt  George  Kichols  of  Waterbury ;  and 
an  edifice,  forty-five  feet  by  thirty-six,  with  a  steeple,  (the  first 
iu  the  town,)  was  erected  on  it,  in  1765.  Capt.  Edward  Sco- 
vill took  the  lead  in  this  enterprise,  and  in  the  latter  part  of 
October  tlie  house  was  in  such  forwardness  that  public  service 
was  performed  in  it.  It  stood  upon  the  rocks  by  the  old 
burying  yard  near  the  meeting  house.  It  was  nam^  Christ's 
church.  The  Rev.  Samuel  Andrews  delivered  the  dedicatory 
sermon.    An  arransement  was  made  bv  which  Mr.  Scovill 

ft/ 

was  to  (•iHc'iato  every  tixth  Sunday.  Tliis  continued  till  1771, 
when  the  i)arisli  had  so  much  augmented  its  streiiL'^th  that  a 
new  arran<j;x  im'iit  heeame  expedient,  and  Mr.  Se<»vill  agreed 
to  give  one  third  <.>t'  his  time  to  the  Westbury  parish.  The  so- 
ciety continued  to  prosj)er,  and  in  1773,  they  finished  the  low- 
er part  of  the  house,  together  with  the  pulpit,  chancel,  cano- 
py, S:c. ;  but  they  never  entirely  completed  it.  Soon  the  llev- 
oiution  came,  from  which  the  parish  suffered  much. 


Digitized  by 


HI8T0BY  OF  WATKRB1TBT. 


800 


In  1770,  the  society  received,  by  the  will  of  Capt  ScovUl, 
seventeen  acree  of  land  near  the  church.  The  land  was  after- 
wards sold  and  a  fand  established,  which,  with  the  consider- 
able additions  since  made  to  it,  now  amounts  to  $4,000  secured 
by  notes.  The  parish  also  owns  three  acres  of  land  in  the  cen- 
ter of  Uie  Tillage,  on  which  the  new  church,  rectory  and 
school-house  stand. 

After  the  war,  prosperity  again  dawned  upon  the  church  of 
Westbnry.  But  in  a  little  while  the  pulpit  became  vacant  by 
the  removal  of  Mr.  Scovill  to  New  Brunswick.  It  continued 
60  till  when  an  arranwnient  was  made  with  the  Rev. 

Ciuiuticey  rrin(Ue,  (a  nei)hew  of  the  Kev.  Mr.  Scovill,)  then  in 
deacon's  orders,  wlio  had  ofhciatcd  more  orless,  as  lay-reader, 
at  a  salary  of  thirty  })Ounds,  "to  be  paid  in  beef,  pork,  butter, 
tallow,  wool,  flax,  or  any  sort  of  grain."  He  was  ordained  as 
priest  by  Bishop  Seabury  on  the  2Uh  of  tli)>  month.  He 
gave  part  of  his  time  to  Nortlibury,  but  resided  in  Westbury. 

In  1792,  the  society,  having  increased  greatly  in  numbers, 
determined  to  erect  a  new  church  in  a  more  desirable  situa- 
tion. It  was  "raised"  August,  1793,  and  consecrated  by 
Bishop  Seabury  as  Christ's  Church,  Nov.  18, 1794.  It  was 
placed  on  ground  confh>nting  the  spot  occupied  by  the  pre- 
sent church.  A  Commemorative  Discourse*'  was  delivered 
in  it,  for  the  last  time,  Oct  28, 1855,  by  the  Bev.  Horace  H. 
Eeid,  the  rector,  whicji  was  published,  and  to  which  I  am  in- 
debted for  some  facts  contained  in  this  sketch. 

Mr.  Prindle  continued  rector  till  1804,  when  he  resigned. 
His  fRrcwell  discourse  was  preached  on  the  23d  of  December, 
lie  is  described  as  a  iiio.st  worth v  and  iii(letati'Ml>le  man.  As 
an  instance  of  his  punctuality  in  the  discliargc  of  (hity,  it  is 
stated  that  on  a  certain  imjiortant  occasion,  when  he  was  to 
preach  in  Waterbury,  lie  found  the  Xangatuck  much  swollen 
by  a  flood,  lie  saw  his  horse  must  swim  the  stream,  or  he 
must  fail  in  his  appointment.  Preferring  the  former  al- 
ternative, he  jdunged  in. — He  was  a  son  of  Eleazer  and  Anna 
(Scovill)  Prindle;  was  born  July  13,  1753,  and  graduated  at 
Yale  College  in  1776.  After  he  left  Watertown,  he  was,  for 
several  years,  rector  of  the  churches  of  Oxford  and  Salem. 
He  died  in  1833.   He  left  some  manuscripts  relating  to  the 


Digitized  by  Google 


310 


HISTORY  OF  WATESBUBT. 


churches  ot"  Westbiiry  and  Northburv,  which  wore  publi>hed 
in  the  Ciironicle  ot*  the  Church,  July  26, 1839,  from  which  1 
have  gleaned  many  lacts. 

•  Episcopacy  in  X<»rtli])ury  irrcw  out  of  the  extraTagances 
which  attended  the  lie vival  ot'  1740.  Idr.  Todd^s  coarse  was 
denounced  by  some  of  his  people  as  irregalar  and  unauthor- 
ized. His  eyening  meetings,  it  is  said,  were  disorderly  in  the 
extreme.  Inquiry  began  to  be  made  whether  there  was  not 
another  and  better  way  of  serving  Ood.  At  this  period,  a  prayer 
book,  owned  by  one  of  Mr.  Todd's  parisluoners,  came  to  light 
It  was  the  first  that  appeared  in  Korthbury,  and  was  the  prop- 
erty of  Thomas  Blakeslee's  wife.  Certain  people  often  met 
together  to  consult  it  Mr,  Todd  disapproved  of  these  proceed, 
ings,  and,  according  to  tradition,  told  those  who  studied  the 
strange  book  that  if  thcv  did  not  desist  thev  woubl  <;o  to  a  bad 
phice !  Thus  nuitti'i's  went  on,  tlie  Chnrchnieii  gaining 
strengtli,  till  at  last  they  catne  to  control  a  majority  of  the 
votes.  They  then  numbered  eleven  and  took  possession  of 
the  liouse  in  wliicli  ])nblic  worship  was  held,  votin<^  Mr. 
Todd's  meetiiifTs  out.  Wliile  thev  did  this,  however,  ihev  as- 
sured  the  minority  that  they  would  assist  to  build  tliem  ano- 
ther house  to  an  extent  equal  to  their  (the  minority's)  interest 
in  the  old  one.  This  promise,  it  is  affirmed,  was  faithfully  kept, 
and  to  the  satisfaction,  pecuniarily,  of  the  Congregationalists. 
Some  of  the  majority,  however,  disapproved  of  this  whole 
proceeding,  and  admitted  that  the  minority  were  not  fairly 
treated.*  The  latter  might  have  been  permitted  to  occupy 
the  honse  when  not  wanted  by  the  other  parly.  But  it  was 
a  time  of  excitement,  and  a  spirit  of  conciliation  among  rival 
sects  is  a  rare  virtue. 

It  is  difficult  to  say  who  were  the  eleven*'  first  Churchmen 
(heads  of  families)  of  Northbury.  Among  them,  however, 
were  some  prominent  men.  The  following  persons  joined  them- 
selves at  an  early  date  to  the  new  donomination,  (to  wit,) 
Barnabas  Ford,  Thomas  lihikeslee,  David  lilakeslee,  Lieut. 
John  i3ronsou,  and  probaly  Samuel  Cole,  Ebenezer  i'ord, 


•  Manuscript  lettw  tnm  Hofth  IL  BroDMNi  of  Utdlim,  (Hilo,  fBnMrijr  •  proBlacBt  Chmh- 
mM  of  Pl/moaUb 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBRBUBT. 


311 


Abel  Ford,  aad  Ebenezer  Allen.  At  what  precise  time  tlie 
famous  eleven  or«;anizc(l  themselves  and  appropriated  lor 
their  own  use  the  old  meeting  house,  it  is  not  safe  to  affirm. 
The  Oongregationaiists,  however,  contemphited  building  a 
new  house  as  earlj  as  Oct  1740,  possibly,  before  their  exclu- 
sion from  the  old  building. 

For  a  considerable  period,  the  Episcopalians  of  Northbury 
could  have  had  but  occasional  and  rare  visits  from  a  clergy- 
man. They  were  dependent  on  the  ministers  who  officiated 
in  Waterbury,  and  who  were  in  the  service  of  the  society  for 
Propa<?ating^  the  Gospel  in  Foreit^n  Partg.  Pev.  Theophiliis 
Morris  was  in  tlie  mission  from  1740  to  1T4.'>.  He  procured 
from  the  parent  society  a  lar<^^c  folio  IJihle  and  i>rayer  book  for 
the  uses  ot  tlie  churches  of  Derby,  Waterl)urv, 'West  Haven  and 
N<)rth]>urv.  'S[\\  Lvou  followed  Mr.  Morris,  Dr.  Manstield  of 
D(.-rby,  Mr.  Lyon,  and  Pev.  James  Scovill.  (about  1750,)  Dr. 
Mansfield,  as  is  mentioned  in  my  account  of  the  church  in 
Waterbury.  Mr.  Scovill's  services  were  relinquished  for  a 
stipulated  sum  ;  and  in  1773,  Rev.  James  Nichols,*  lately  re- 
turned from  England,  where  he  had  been  for  ordination,  took 
char<ye  of  the  churches  of  Northbury  and  New  Cambridi^e, 
(now  Bristol,)  officiating  alternately  half  the  time  in  each,  but 
residing  in  the  latter  place.  In  consequence  of  the  war,  Mr. 
Nichols  remained  but  two  years  and  removed  to  Litchfield. 
After  this  and  till  the  close  of  the  Kevolution,  the  church  was 
in  an  unsettled  state  and  without  the  services  of  an  ordained 
minister.  Whilst  the  war  lasted,  it  is  not  known  that  public 
services  of  any  kind  were  held  in  the  parish. 

Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  church,  several  of  the 
members  rai-ed  among  themselves  £100  as  the  foundation  for 
a  church  fund.  Tliis  sum  was  iuvobted  in  land  and  deeded  as 
follows : 

I  Rarn;il>as  Ford,  [&«.'■]  i»  conddcratinn  of  one  Imiulrctl  pounds  money  con- 
trilMitccl  to  me  l>y  mv  tii  i'^'lilmrs,  nienilM  i  -  nf  tlic  (  'liun  h  of  Kii;.'!aiii!,  liy  and  with 
thoir  ndvu-e,  for  the  tir.-t  gK-ln'  lanil<  to  «  ii  !i>w  the  au'iA  ciiiirch  in  N'orth- 

burj,  [&c.]  do  give,  graut,  convey  and  conlii m  unto  the  Society  for  the  rroijai^;itiou 

•  Wm  h«  not  tti*  MB  or  Jmm*  Kkboli,  (of  WaIoiImitO  who  wm  boni  in  Doeonber,  IT48;  and 
gndiMtod  at  Tal«  OoUifi^  in  im  f 


Digitized  by  Google 


312 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


of  the  GMpel  in  Foreign  ParUi,*  one  piece  of  land  containing  fortj  acres  being  and 
lying  in  said  Northbury  eastward  from  tlii'  clinrcli,  it  Ix-iii;;  the  west  t-ml  of  the 

farm  that  bclotigcii  to  Thoina.s  Clark  of  W'aterbury  to  have  and  to  hold  [i^c.j, 

but  in  trust  and  for  this  special  purpose,  that  is  to  aay,  as  voon  as  there  ^ball  be  a 
rector  iaititnted  and  indnetedf  [&c.]  the  prembee  ebeU  then  be  and  inure  to  each 
rector  inciunbent  and  to  hie  eoooeeBom  for  hie  and  their  nee  ae  the  glebe  laade  of 
the  aaid  church  for  ever,  [&c.] 

This  deed  is  dated  Nov.  21, 1745,  and  witnessed  by  Thomas 
Blakeslee,  Samuel  Cole  and  Ebenezer  Ford. 

After  the  war,  in  October,  1784,  a  movement  was  made  bj 
tlie  chmrch  to  organize  themselves  into  a  societj  according 
to  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly."  A  warrant  was  is- 
sued by  a  justice  of  the  peace,  calling  a  meeting  and  di- 
recting that  all  the  leixal  voters  of  the  society  be  warned  to 
meet  at  "  the  church  lioiisc"  on  the  eighteenth  of  the  month, 
and  to  choose  a  niodenitcr,  ike.  The  roll  of  voting  nieni1>ers 
at  this  time  is  recorded.  They  numbered  57,  showing  a 
strength  liardly  to  be  expected  so  soon  after  the  war.  At  this 
fii*8t  formal  meeting  of  the  parisli,  Lieut.  Eliphalet  llartshoni 
was  chosen  moderator,  Jude  Blakeslee  clerk  and  treasurer, 
and  Mr.  Asher  Blakeslee,  Capt.  Amos  Bronson  and  !Mr. 
Isaac  Fenn,  prudential  committee,  with  power  to  employ  Mr. 
Baldwin  or  some  other  minister  as  a  candidate  for  settlement. 
At  this  time,  15  persons  living  in  the  town  of  Litchfield  attend- 
ed the  Northbuiy  church. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  in  December,  a  tax  of  two  pence 
on  the  pound  was  laid,  (Jacob  Potter,  collector,)  which  was  re- 
newed from  year  to  year.  Unwearied  endeavors  were  put 
forth  to  obtain  a  rector,  for  a  time  without  success.  The  Kev. 
Afihbel  Baldwin,  the  Bev.  Philo  Shelton,  and  the  Bev.  HUot- 
son  Bronson,  officiated  occasionally.  After  his  ordination  as  a 
deacon,  in  June,  1787,  the  Ilev.  Chauncey  Prindle  officiated 
rejxularlv  f«»r  a  time.  He  was  afterwards  settled,  the  articles 
of  agreement  bearing  <late  Fi'b.  12,  1788,  twelve  days  belore 
bis  admission  to  the  order  of  the  priesthood.  By  the  articles, 
the  parish  agreed  to  give  him  £37,  lOs.  lawful  money  for  half  ^ 

•  ThawMOB  if  eopTtytog  the  land  to  the  Eogllabvoclety  maj  pmtebljbefeaadlatlMftMl 

that  the  Episcopdl  churches  of  Connecticut  were  not  nt  that  time  Icfrally  cnnstitutc<l  hndlcn,  i\nd 
could  not  tiold  property  in  a  corporate  capadtjr.  The  Uoda  coavejed  lu  this  inaDner  to 
IIm  Mdetjrt  ^qxv  atrer  to  hare  been  Noonvtyed  M  the  pfttrttlMt.  AInjr  rata,  I  mb  flad  m 
•uch  reconveyances  on  the  Waterbury  records.  After  th.-  R. mlntlon,  the  Enf^Ilih  •oclety,  be- 
lof  aiieo,  could  not,  I  ■uppote,  gire  a  UUe.  A  title  waa  at  last  probabljr  obaioed  bj  poMCHlon- 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8TOBT  <nr  WATBBBUBY. 


813 


of  tlie  time,  "to  l)c  paid  in  produce,  such  as  beef,  pork,  LiitttT, 
tallow,  sheep's  wool,  Ihix  or  any  sort  of  «xrain,  with  a  suitable 
proportion  of  each  kind."  A  rate  of  three  pence  on  the  pound 
was  imposed  in  Deoember  to  pay  the  mioiater'a  salary,  which 
tlie  next  year  was  raised  to  four  pence. 

About  four  years  after  Mr.  Prindle's  settlement,  tlie  parish 
was  much  weakened  by  the  formation  of  St  Matthew's  church, 
on  the  eastern  border  of  Kor&bury,  and  by  certain  persons 
joining  themselves  to  the  church  in  Northfield,  (litdifield.) 
These  movements  originated,  not  in  a  want  of  harmony,  but  in 
a  desire  to  promote  personal  convenience. 

The  old  church  house  "  had  become  rickety  and  uncom- 
fortable, particularly  in  wot  weather,  and  in  December,  1789, 
a  vote  was  taken  to  make  some  repairs.  In  January,  1790, 
however,  it  was  resolved  to  build  a  new  church.  But  there 
were  much  embarrassment  and  delay  in  Cf»nsequcnce  of  a 
ditieriMice  of  opinion  as  to  the  location  and  the  manner  of  rais- 
ins; the  ncce>sarv  fumls.  Some  wanti-d  the  now  cditice  in  the 
hollow,  othci"s  on  the  hill,  l^y  the  ]>ersi'verin;r  efforts  of  ^Ir. 
Prindle  and  others,  the  obstacles  at  length  were  all  removed. 
It  was  ac^reed  that  the  house  should  be  i)laced  on  tlic  hill 
"  near  the  north  east  corner  of  the  green  or  place  of  j>aradc," 
and  be  adorned  with  a  steeple.  It  eeems  to  have  been  com- 
menced early  in  1704,  under  the  superintendence  of  Messi*s.  Da- 
vid Shelton,  Noah  M.  I3n)nsou,Selah  Seymour,  Samuel  Potter 
and  Adna  Blakeslee,  building  committee.  After  the  frame 
had  been  erected  and  covered,  another  committee,  consbting 
of  Noah  M.  Bronson,  David  M.  Shelton  and  Amos  Ford,  was 
chosen  to  complete  the  building.  Eli  Barnes  was  at  the  next 
meeting  placed  on  the  committee  in  the  place  of  Amos  Ford. 
The  church  was  to  be  finished  *Mn  a  decent  and  elegant  man- 
ner." It  was  so  far  completed  by  the  14th  day  of  November, 
1796,  that  a  vote  was  taken  to  seat  it ;  and  on  the  24th  of  the 
same  month  the  people  assembled  in  it  for  the  first  time  for 
public  worship.  The  taxes  levied  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
building,  amounted,  it  is  said,  to  thirty-live  cents  on  a  dollar, 
to  say  nothing  of  voluntary  contril>uti<ms.  The  church  waa 
consecrated  Nov.  2,  1797,  by  liishop  Jarvis,  by  the  name  of  St. 
Peter's  church,  tlie  lie  v.  Philo  Shelton  preaching  the  senuon. 


Digitized  by  Google 


3U 


mSTO&Y  OF  WAX£KBU£T. 


On  l-^iister  Moiulav,  ISOG,  Mr.  Prindle  proposed  to  rc^igIl 
liis  charge,  in  order  to  nti'nrd  the  society  an  oj)]>ortunity  to 
btreiiicthen  itself  by  an  union  witJi  a  iieiiililtorinir  church.  His 
proposal  was  acceded  to,  and  a  connection  was  formed  be- 
tween St.  J\'ter\s  and  St.  Matthcw'8  churches. 

After  Mr.  Prindle  retired  from  the  parish,  the  Rev.  Nathan 
B.  Burgess  and  the  Bev.  Joseph  D.  Welton  ofiiciated  for  a 
time,  the  latter  as  lay  reader;  but  no  permanent  rector  was 
secured  till  1800,  wlien  an  arrangement  was  made  with 
the  Kev.  Boger  Searle.  The  articles  of  settlement  bear  date 
Nov.  15tb.  Mr.  Searle  was  settled  oTer  the  parishes  of  St 
Peter's  and  St  3Catthew's,  and  was  to  receive  $450  and  30 
cords  of  good  fire  wood  per  annum.  In  consideration  of  the 
rector's  residence  being  in  St  Peter's  parish,  that  parish  was 
to  6up[>ly  all  the  wood,  and  retain  the  nse  of  its  glebe  lands. 
The  remainder  of  the  salary  was  paid  in  Uie  ]>roportion  of 
services  received. 

An  addition  was  made  to  the  funds  of  the  society,  in  1813, 
l>y  subscription  of  one  thousand  dollars,  ^Ir.  Searle  to  have 
the  benetit  of  it  during  his rectoi'shi}).  The  sul».-cril)er.^' names 
are  entered  upon  the  record,  twenty-nine  in  nunil»er.  Klijali 
Warner  gave  one  quarter  of  the  sum.  A  few  years  later, 
(1821,)  the  same  individual  gave  to  the  parish  four  acres  of 
land,  valued  at  about  $^00,  on  which  he  and  otliere  erected  a 
dwelling  for  tlie  rector. 

In  consequence,  chiefly,  of  a  large  emigration  to  the  "West 
and  tlie  weakening  of  the  parish,  Afr.  Searle  resigned  his  charge 
in  1817,  the  connection  being  dissolved  Sept.  16th. 

The  Bev.  Bodney  Bossiter  succeeded  to  the  rectorship  in 
1818,  the  Bev.  Dr.  Burhans  in  1832,  and  the  Bev.  William 
Watson  in  1837.  The  Bev.  S.  K  Miller  is  the  present 
rector.* 


•  In  the  preparation  of  the  i>r<  i  .  iHn,:  m'  -oinit  of  Kplicopiicy  In  Northhtirjr,  I  have  consulte*!, 
beside*  the  parbb  records,  An  Account  of  tit.  Peter's  Church,  Plymoutii,  printed  la  the  Episco- 
pal WstebnM,  OelolMri  IBtT ;  the  BeT.  Mr.  Prindle^  MSB.  paUiiM  to  fto  CInrottlete  of  tb« 
Church,  lan,  and  a  CeDtooolal  SermoOt  Itj  Om  Bar.  Ifer.  WatMB,  deUTared  Jan.  1, 1848,  and 
publiihcd. 


Digitized  by  Google 


IlI6T01tY  OF  WATEliBUKY 


815 


CHAPTER  XX. 

CHURCH  JkND  STATE:  8LAVBRT:  OLD  FRENCH  WAR. 

« 

C0NOBEOATIOXALT8M  was  e8tal)Ul^hcd  hy  law  in  the  Ck>lony  of 
Connecticut  In  opposition  to  this  there  could  be  no  minis- 
tiy  or  church  administration  entertained  or  attended  by  the 
inhabitants  of  any  town  or  plantation  [vVn  .]  upon  penalty  of 

the  forfeiture  of  five  pounds  for  every  breach  of  this  act." 
Aijfaiiist  some  species  of  dissent,  llie  hiu  s  were  \  ery  strinp^ent. 
"(Quakers,  Ranters,  Adamite-,  nr  such  like,''  were  t<>  he  com- 
mitted to  prison  or  sent  out  <>f  the  Coh)iiy.  N<»  imlivichial 
couUl  "  unnecessarily  entertain  'S»r  speak  more  or  less  with  " 
such  persons  on  penahy  of  five  pounds,  and  the  town  tliat  al- 
lowed entertainment  to  he  given  tliem  must  also  pay  five 
pounds  per  week.  Quaker  books  were  oi"dered  to  be  seized  by 
the  constable,  and  tlic  persons  in  wliose  possession  they  were 
found  were  to  be  fined  ten  shillings  each.  Every  person  in 
the  Colony  was  obliged  to  pay  taxes  for  the  support  of  the  es- 
tablished religion.  If  a  town  saw  fit  to  go  without  a  minister 
for  a  time,  a  statute  (which  was  continued  till  after  the  Revo- 
Intion)  provided  that  a  tax  should,  notwithstanding,  be  levied, 

as  if  there  were  a  minister  there,"  the  avails  to  be  reserved 
''for  the  support  of  the  ministry  of  that  town  "  in  the  future, . 
according  to  the  discretion  of  the  County  Court.* 

The  ministers  of  religion  were  the  especial  favorites  of  the 
colonial  government.  Their  polls  and  estates  were  exempted 
from  taxation,  and  stringent  hiws  were  made  to  secure  tliem 
the  advautages  of  their  ]>osition  an<l  tlie  re>pect  of  tlieir  Hocks. 
It  was  provided  that  ''if  any  Christian,  60  called,  should  con- 

*  At  kn  eninpto  of  lb*  AlnMl  alwolate  power  which  the  Aiiemblj  exerclied  over  the  towns 

anti  iiiith  iiluala  in  mutters  of  religion,  I  may  refer  to  a  CMe,  one  of  ft  claat.— After  the  death  of 
Mr.  Uooicer  in  1G97,  Faruington,  owing  to  diitcurdant  aentlmenta,  waa  for  s  eeason  without  a 
minister.  On  application,  tlic  Court,  In  170:2,  ordered  the  people  to  seek  eonnsel  and  help  of 
Kev.  Mr.  Abram  Pleraon  and  five  othera,  and  '*  to  entertain"  and  pay  for  one  year  the  mlnUter 

wJiU  li  tliey,  "  the  reverend  elder*,"  ulioiild  nominate  and  aj  pnint.  At  this  pcrl.nj  tlio  town  ofli- 
cera  of  Farmlngtoa  were  appointed  by  the  Aaaemhty . — [Ilisturlcal  Diacoorae  by  Rev.  Noah  i'oiter, 
Jr.,UIL] 


Digitized  by  Google 


316 


UI;STO&Y  OF  WATE&BUBY. 


temptuously  beliave  liiinsclf  towards  the  word  preached  or 
the  ]iiosH.L'ii«»;ers  tliereof,"  he  shoiihl,  for  tlie  first  otieiise,  be  re- 
proved (»penly,  in  some  public  assembly,  hy  the  magistrate  ; 
and  lor  the  second,  sliouhl  ]»ay  a  tine  of  live  pounds,  "or  else 
stand  two  hours  openly  upon  a  block  or  stool  tour  foot  high, 
on  a  public  meeting  day,  with  a  paper  tixed  on  liis  breast 
written  with  capital  letters: — an  open  and  obstinate  con- 
i£i£N£K  OF  GOD^s  HOLT  0&DINAM0E8 :  that  Others  may  tear  and 
be  ashamed." 

At  an  earlj  period,  almost  all  the  educated  men  entered  the 
miniBtiy.  Lawyers  were  not  wanted,  and  doctoi*$  wore  self- 
taught  or,  oftener,  untaught.  Clergymen  'trained  the  youth. 
They  were  nniyersally  deferred  to  as  a  superior  order  of  men 
whose  displeasure  it  would  not  be  safe  to  incur.  On  Sundays 
they  were  treated  with  special  reverence.  *^  When  the  minister 
passed  from  the  threshold  to  the  pulpit,  the  people  rose ;  and 
if  he  formally  addressed  them  in  any  part  of  the  sermon, 
those  in  the  galleries,  in  obedience  to  parental  injunction  and 
usage,  in  many  places,  stood  and  continued  standing  till  the 
ad  d  r ess' w as  con cl u d ed . "* 

In  1706,  the  law  against  the  Quakers  was  repealed;  and  in 
ITUS,  by**An  Act  for  tlie  case  of  such  as  soberly  dissent," 
persons  were  permitted,  on  certain  conditions,  to  worship  "  in 
a  way  separate  from  that  which  is  by  law  established,"  without 
molestation  ;  but  n()])ody  was  excused  from  paying  taxeb  to 
the  "established  church." 

When  Episcoi)al  churches  began  to  be  established  in  Con- 
necticut, the  colonists  saw  the  ditficulties  in  which  their  laws 
respecting  dissenters  would  bo  likely  to  involve  them.  The 
mother  country,  it  was  [)robably  thought,  would  not  willingly 
see  its  own  established  religion  proscribed  and  those  who  wor- 
shiped according  to  its  forms  subjected  to  disabilities.  (Pro- 
scription loses  all  its  beauties  when  its  authors  become  the 
subjects  of  it.)  The  General  Assembly,  doubtless,  considered 
these  things  and  determined  to  modify  its  laws,  so  far  as  they 
bore  harshly  on  the  Church  of  England.  In  1727,  in  answer 
to  a  petition  from  certain  Churchmen  in  Fairfield,  it  was  en- 


•  B«v.  LoUitr  Uart,  io  The  Qu&rterljr  ChrlitUuilSpMtAtor,  Vol.  T,  p.  »T. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATSBBUBT. 


817 


acted  that  all  taxes  levied  on  the  profesaore  of  the  English 
church,  in  places  where  there  was  a  minister  of  that  church  in 
orders,  should  be  paid  over  to  such  minister.  These  taxes  on 
Churchmen  were  gathered  by  a  special  collector  from  their  own 
denomination,  chosen  at  the  town  or  society  meetings.  When 
the  moneys  thus  raised  were  not  sufficient  for  the  support  of 
their  own  clergymen,  they  could  levy  additional  taxes  on  their 
own  nu'inbors.  In  addition  to  these  privileges,  Churchmen  were 
expressly  exempted  from  the  burden  of  building  "meeting 
houses."  These  indulgences,  however,  were  granted  more 
from  policy  and  necessity  than  preference. 

Tlie  Ei)iscopal  churches  or  parishes  were  merely  vohintary 
associations  Tliey  had  no  corjiorate  or  legal  existence  exce}»t 
for  the  single  purpose  above  mentioned.  Tliey  could'  not  im- 
pose nites  for  building  or  repairing  their  own  cliurchcs,  or  for 
any  purpose  but  the  maintenance  of  their  ministers.  Congrega- 
tionalism was  the  established  religion — the  religion  of  the  state. 
Congregational  societies  were  the  only  societies  known  to  law, 
and  these  were  territorial  and  exclusive. 

In  1729,  in  an  ^  Act  for  the  Ease  of  such  as  Soberly  Dis- 
sent," the  Quakers  and  Baptists  having  divine  worship  of  their 
own,  and  attending  the  same,  were  excused  from  Congrega- 
tional taxation ;  but  they  had  no  other  privileges. 

Thus  matters  continued  till  after  the  Bevolution;  but  in 
1784,  a  law  ''for  securing  the  Eights  of  Conscience"  was 
passed,  which  permitted  a  man  to  join  any  denomination  of 
Christians  he  pleased,  and,  if  a  dissenter  and  an  attendant  on 
public  worship  and  a  contributor  to  tlie  support  of  tlie  same, 
exempted  liim  from  taxes  for  the  maintenance  of  the  iiiini>try 
and  relimon  *'bv  law  established."  Bv  the  same  act,  the  <lis- 
senting  churches  and  congregati(»n.-  had  "  liberty  and  autlinrity 
to  exercise  the  same  powei-s  and  ]>rivile;xes  for  maintaining 
their  respective  ministei'S  and  building  and  repairing  meeting 
houses,  as  the  ecclesiastical  societies  constituted  bv  law  have 
and  do  exercise  and  enjoy."  It  was  under  this  law,  I  suppose, 
that  the  Episcopal  church  of  Northbury  was  organized  in  1784. 
Thus,  all  Christian  sects  were  put  on  a  footing  of  essential 
equality. 

Our  fathers  were  rigid  in  their  notions  of  moral  and  reli- 


Digitized  by  Google 


318 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


gioQS  daty.  They  discarded  the  forms  of  the  EDglish  church 
and  endeavored  to  seize  the  essence.  Still,  they  were  unable 
to  get  rid  entirely  of  forms,  for  men  cannot  do  this,  however 
strenuous  their  endeavors.  Those  which  tlicy  did  observe, 
they  adhered  to  with  singular  pertinacity.  In  so  doing,  they 
]\M>pardcd  and  sometimes  lost  sight  of  tlie  substance.  Tliey 
wcro  partic'uhirly  exact  in  t)ic  observance  of  the  sabbatli,  and 
this  observance  wa.-^  enfnrcecl  l>y  pains  ami  j)enalties.  Tlie 
people  were  requircMl  by  statute  to  "carefully  ajiply  theinselve.-? 
to  the  (liitics  of  religion  and  piety,  i)ubHcly  an<l  privately,'' on 
the  J.ord's  day.  They  were  required,  on  that  day  and  al.-o 
on  "fast  dayes  and  dayes  of  thanksgiving,''  to  go  to  meeting, 
and  tlicy  weie  not  permitted  to  go  anywhere  else,  tlie  fine  for 
transgressing  the  law  being,  in  each  case,  five  shillings.  "Sin- 
gle persons  being  boarders  and  sojourners,^'  and  young  per- 
sons "  under  the  government  of  parents  or  masters,"  were  not 
allowed  to  meet  together  in  company  or  companies,"  in  the 
street  or  elsewhere,  on  the  evening  of  the  sabbath,  or  of  fast 
day  or  lecture  day,  the  fine  being  five  shillings.  It  was  made 
the  duty  of  constables  and  grand  jurors  to  walk  the  streets 
and  duly  search  all  suspected  places,"  and  to  bring  tlie  viola- 
tors of  this  law  to  justice.  These  are  the  statutes  our  fathers 
lived  under,  till  after  the  Bevolution,  and  which  assisted  to 
mould  their  characters  and  opinions. 

In  illustration  of  what  was  considered  "servile  labour  "on 
the  sabbaih,  no  lonirer  airo  th:iii  17;57,  1  would  refer  to  a  jus- 
tiee  trial  in  which  Isaac  13r<»ii>..n,  a  leading  man  of  AVater- 
bury,  was  arraigned  before  Timothy  II(»]>kins.  a  jn.-tlcc  of  the 
peace.  A  conviction  followed,  and  a  line  of  live  shillings  with 
the  costs  of  court  was  imjtosed.  The  criminal  party,  not  being 
satisfied  with  the  decision,  petitioned  (iuefiectually)thc  General 
Court  for  relief,  and  at  the  same  time  explained  the  nature  and 
extent  of  his  "  crime,"  as  follows : 

To  the  Uonourablc  gcncrall  Court  [&c.]  hiiing  ttt  Newhaven  ecioiui  Thurg- 
dty  of  October  1787— the  memorial  of  Into  Brounson  of  waterbniy  humbly  show- 
eth  that  one  m'  justice  Thnothy  Hopkina  of  ad  watetbary,  [ftc)  by  bia  epciMll 
writ  caused  your  nioiDorialMt  to  apear  liofore  him  on  the  24*^  day  of  auf^ui^  LaKt 
to  answer  for  In  in-:  piltr  of  doing  scrril  Labour  on  the  .«nl)bath  or  Lorrls  day,  ia 
the  aite  of  aaid  justice,  and  gaue  judgment  againiit  your  memorialeet  in  the  follow- 


Digitized  by  Google 


HISTOBT  OF  WATESBUBT. 


319 


intr  wonl^  viz  [Here  follows  a  copy  of  the  oxi'i-ution  nnd  fscntoncp  of  tlu'  court, 
fn»iu  wliifh  it  uppcarrt  that  the  crime  was  coimiiiueil  on  the  7th  day  of  August, 
aud  that  the  culprit  was  eenteiued  to  |)ut  fiDe,  and  oh.  6d.  costs,  "and  stand 
committed  till  he  comply,^  kc.]  ao  that  your  memoriallest  ww  forced  to  paj  the 
money  or  go  to  priion,  which  money  was  paid  down  to  the  jneUce  and  your 
memorialcst  stands  Recorded  gilty  of  the  breach  of  the  iiuhbath  but  thinkn  him- 
self  wljoly  innocent  of  any  such  crime :  and  can  not  help  hiins^elf  fo  without 
Jlcniedv  except  tiiis  Hoiiouralth'  as>ienil)ly  friiie  Keleafe,  and  he  is  under  great  dis- 
advantage to  Lay  the  whole  mutter  before  your  lionoun<,  ui'  justice  utterly  Kelus. 
iag  to  gitto  him  a  copy  of  the  writ  hy  wUdh  ho  wae  brought  before  htm :  therefore 
is  obliged  to  Declare  the  &et8,  by  sd  justice  Judged  to  be  creminaO,  wliich  was  his 
sister  had  lived  sometime  att  his  Hous  about  four  miles  out  of  Town  but  by  rca«on  of 
scuere  ilne.'^s  went  Ilomc  to  her  mother  and  stayed  w  ith  her,  but  she  amended,  and 
on  the  -ahhath  day  niirht  after  niectiiii,'  wan  ended  ai^ked  your  menioriali.-*t  if  he  would 
Let  her  iiide  behind  him  home  to  his  house  which  he  did:  this  is  the  whole  that 
he  is  charged  with  and  it  was  no  harnie  as  he  thought ;  how  euer  he  stjinda 
Reoorded  as  abone  and  hath  been  already  put  of  from  Redeuing  the  sacrament  on 
that  account,  and  there  upon  prays  this  Honourable  assembly  to  make  void  the  sd 
Judgment  if  they  in  their  wisdom  can  think  it  just,  or  grant  him  Liberty  of  a  hear- 
ing  of  the  whole  matter  f)efore  the  County  Court  to  be  holden  att  Ncwhaven  in 
.  ovember  next,  and  order  the  sd  justice  to  furni>h  him  with  a  cdpy  of  his  pro- 
ceeding-i  in  the  ease  in  order  to  h\A  bailing  afair  Tryall  at  the  ed  Court,  or  any  other 
way  grant  Bcleaf  [.Aic.J 

Isaac  Bkouksoh. 

It'  any  man  convicted  of  "  prophaniiig  the  .sal)l)ath"  refused 
to  pay  his  tine,  ho  might  be  publicly  whipped.  This  waB  the 
law  in  17^4  and  afterwards. 

B}'  an  ohl  statute,  (in  existence  after  the  Revolution,)  each 
householder  w^as  required  to  have  at  least  one  Bible.  Nu- 
merous families  were  to  have  "a  considerable  number  of 
bibles/'  besides  suitable  orthodox  catechisms  and  other  books 
of  practical  godliness.  It  was  the  duty  of  the  selectmen  to 
"  make  diligent  inquiry  "  after  these  things,  and  constables, 
jurymen  and  tything  men  were  to  make  diligent  search  after 
and  presentment  make  of  all  breaches,  &c. 

The  legislation  of  our  ancestors  was  harsh,  sometimes  vin- 
dictive. It  attempted  too  much.  Its  ends  were  often  unjusti- 
fiable, frequently  trivial.  It  interfered  unwarrantably  with 
personal  ri<i;hts.  It  tonk  it  for  f^ranted  that  a  desirable  <»bjt'C"t, 
in  I'verv  ea>i',  was  to  be  srcuri'd  by  some  special  law.  That  an 
evil  existed  was  a  sufficient  reason  why  a  statute  should  be 
enacted.  Tlie  truth  wjis  not  recop^nized,  and  is  not  yet  fully 
understood,  that  there  are  many  irreguralities  in  the  moral 


Digitized  by  Google 


320 


HISIORT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


world  (sin,  in  the  languai>:o  of  theology)  wliieli  legi>Uition  can- 
iiof  ix  ach.  Man,  it  was  conceived,  was  utterly  depraved  by 
nature,  always  inclining  to  go  astray.  He  was  treated  as 
though  conscience,  truth,  justice,  honor,  were  no  part  of  his 
moral  constitution.  His  whole  conduct  and  his  entire  busi- 
ness, to  their  minutest  details,  must  be  regulated  by  laws. 
These  laws  assumed  a  perfect  unifonnitj  of  religiouB  views,  of 
moral  principles  and  of  opinions  generally.  A  strict  con- 
formity was  expected  from  all.  Those  who  entertained  pecu- 
liar sentiments,  particularly  on  religions  subjects — ^who  pre- 
sumed to  differ  from  the  ruling  classes — ^had  a  hard  time  of  it. 
They  felt  that  by  coming  to  America  they  had  not  escaped 
tyranny  in  aggravated  forms. 

As  an  illustration  of  the  trivial,  not  to  sny  ridiculous,  legisla- 
tion of  our  fathers,  I  may  refer  to  the  anti-tubacco  laws.  The 
use  of  tobacco  was  regarded  (correctly)  as  demoralizing,  par- 
ticularly to  tlie  young.  Therefore,  the  General  Court  order- 
ed that  no  person  under  20  yeare  of  age  sliould  use  it.  No 
other  i)erst)n  (not  accustomed  to  it!)  could  eniidoy  it  without 
a  certiticate  from  a  physician  and  a  license  from  the  Court. 
He  who  was  addicted  to  its  use  was  forbidden  to  indulge  his 
appetite  in  company,  or  publicly  in  the  streets,  or  when  at 
Uibor  or  on  a  journey,  unless  ten  miles  from  home,  and  tlien 
not  but  once  a  day.  The  penalty  for  each  offense  was  six  pence, 
to  be  paid  without  gainsaying  t 

It  is  well  known  that  slavery  was  formerly  an  institution  " 
of  Connecticut  Our  ancestors,  whom  we  are  accustomed  to 
revere  for  their  virtues  and  religion,  were  trafficers  in  human 
flesh  1"  Southmayd,  Leavenworth,  Trumbull,  Scovill,  Dca. 
Clark  and  Dea.  Gamsey,  those  holy  men  and  oUiers  like  them, 
held  their  fellows  in  bondage!  For  their  guilt  in  this  regard, 
their  decendants  do  not  apply  to  them  the  same  epithets,  pre- 
cisely, that  tlicy  sometimes  bestow  on  cotemporary  sinners  of 
the  same  class.  Does  this  lenitv  of  indjjrment  come  from  the 
conscious  obligation  of  the  "higher  law" — Honor  thy  father 
an<l  thv  mother? 

The  fir.>t  settlers  of  Waterhurv  had  not  manv  slaves.  It  is 
not  certain  they  had  any  ;  though  it  is  jirMhuble  some  tlirt'C  or 
four  ^>erhap8  more)  were  slave  owners,  possibly  from  the  ilrst. 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBBBUBT* 


321 


The  truth  is,  tlie  great  proportion  of  tbein  were  too  poor  to 
own  that  kind  of  property.  Luxuries  of  all  kinds  were  be- 
yond their  reach.  Tliey  lived  in  the  plainest  manner  and  did 
their  own  work.  Owing  to  a  lack  of  toob,  machinery,  roads 
and  productive  lands  prepared  for  tillage,  or  in  other  words, 
capital,  the  surplus  products  of  labor  were  small.  Compara- 
tivelj,  a  man  could  do  but  little  more  than  maintain  himsell 
Hence  the  necessity  that  all  should  work,  young  and  old,  male 
and  female.  If  the  addition  of  a  negro  to  a  family  increased 
production,  it  also  increased  consumption ;  and  if  a  support  in 
infancy  and  old  age  is  taken  into  llie  account,  almost  in  an 
equal  ratio.  Hence  the  inducement  with  the  early  planters  of 
Watcrbury,  to  own  slaves  could  not  have  been  ^reat,  even 
could  they  have  found  the  means  to  purchase  them.  The  prof- 
its of  slavery  in  Connecticut  were  never  hirge,  and  the  sacri- 
lice,  when  it  was  finally  got  rid  of,  was  not  serious. 

The  first  slave  in  Waterburv,  of  wliit-h  I  have  certain  knowl- 
edire,  was  Mingo,  who  was  the  property  of  Dea.  Thomas 
Clark,  about  1730.  He  was  then  a  bov.  Ilis  master  used  to 
let  him  for  hire  by  the  day,  first  to  drive  plow,  then  to  work 
with  the  team.  At  Dea.  Clark's  death  in  17G4,  Mingo  was 
allowed  to  choose  which  of  the  sons  be  would  live  with.  He 
preferred  to  remain  at  the  old  homestead  with  Tliomas ;  but 
after  the  latter  commenced  keeping  tavern,  he  did  not  like  his 
ocenpation  and  went  to  reside  with  Timothy  on  Town  Plot,  He 
had  a  family,  owned  considerable  proper^,  and  died  in  1800. 

Parson  Southmajd  owned  two  slaves  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  Sampson  and  Phillis.  Parson  Leavenworth  owned 
two.  Peg  and  Phillis;  Parson  Trumbull  of  Westbniy,  two  or 
more ;  Parson  Scovill,  two,  Phillis  and  Dick.  Dick  died  so 
late  as  1835,  aged  90.  He  used  to  tell  the  story  of  his  ca[<- 
ture  on  the  shores  of  AiKea  when  a  boy,  as  he  was  playing 
in  the  sand.  He  was  sold  several  times,  always  with  the  mi- 
derstanding  that  he  might  return  when  he  choee.  He  was  at 
one  time  the  pro])crty  of  Dea.  Stejdien  Bronson.  After  his 
old  master  removed  to  New  Brunswick,  he  usually  worked 
for  Dea.  Bnmson  or  Mr.  James  Scovill,  and  was  alwavs  re- 
garded  as  a  member  of  the  family.  He  was  a  faithful  negro. 
The  writer  remembers  with  ail'ectiou  his  kind  ofiices,  in  child. 

21 


Digitized  by  Google 


322 


HI8IOST  OF  WATEBBIT&T, 


hood.  Poor  man!  lie  hecame  blind  in  his  old  age,  and  the 
wicked  hoys  sometimes  played  tricks  with  him.  He  had  a 
wife  and  children  and  some  property.  Peace  to  his  memory  ! 
— Capt  William  Ilickox  died  in  Wcjitbnry,  in  1737,  possessed  of 
two  slaves,  Lewis  and  Pbillis.  Capt.  George  Nichols  had  one ; 
Lieut.  Tho.  Kichards  one,  Jack ;  Dea.  Jonathan  Gamsey  one 
or  more ;  Esq.  Joeeph  Hopkins,  one,  Silence :  Dr.  Preserved 
Porter,  two,  Fortnneand Dinah,  ike.  L  "Woodruft',  of  We.>tl  .uiy, 
owned  an  Indian  woman,"  who  died  in  1774.  Indian  slaves 
appear  to  have  been  common  in  the  earlier  periods  of  the 
Colonj. 

By  an  old  colonial  law,  men  were  sometimes  sold  into 
slaveiy  for  crime.  Samnel  Lanson  was  arraigned  before  the 
Ck>urt  of  Assistants  in  Hartford,  Hay  10, 1070,  and  convicted 
of  notorions  stealing  and  ^  breflJdng  up  and  robbing  of  Weth- 
ersfield  and  Branford  miU  seyeral  times,"  and  HTing  in  a 

renegade  manner  in  the  wilderness."  He  was  fined  £20 
and  ordered  to  be  sent  to  the  Barbadoes  and  sold  as  a  seirant 
for  four  years.  Under  a  similar  law,  Joseph  Lewis  of  Water- 
hury,  a  town  pauper,  was  tried  before  Tliomas  Clark,  Esq.,  May 
12,  1756,  on  complaint  of  Oliver  Terrell,  for  stealing  forty  shil- 
lings "  proclamation  money,''  and  condemned  to  })ay  "  six 
pounds  proclamation  money  [three  times  the  amount  stolen] 
with  costs  of  suit,  and  also  a  line  of  ten  shillings,  lawful  mon- 
ey, to  the  town  treasurer,  and  be  whipped  on  y^  naked  body 
ten  stripes — costs  taxed  at  £1-3-3." — He  was  whipped  accord- 
ing to  the  judgment  of  the  conrt^  and  bound  out  to  the  plain- 
tiff, as  a  senranty  till  tlie  above  said  sum  sliould  be  paid. 

By  an  early  statute  of  the  Colonj,  ^<  all  single  persons  [they 
were  not  favorites  of  our  Puritan  ancestors,  and  were  watched 
with  great  jealonsy]  who  lived  an  idle  and  riotous  life,"  might 
be  bound  ont  to  service.  By  a  law  passed  in  1725,  and  which 
was  in  existence  till  after  the  Eevolntion,  any  "  delinquent," 
in  the  sense  of  this  statnte,  might  be  disposed  of,  or  bound 
oat  to  service,  or  in  other  words  sold,  by  order  of  any  court, 
assistant  or  justice  of  the  peace,  for  so  long  a  time  as  was 
necessary  to  pay  the  costs  <tf  prosecution. 

In  the  volume  of  statutes  which  was  published  immediately 
after  the  li^jvolutionary  war,  there  was  an  act  which  declared 


Digitized  by  Google 


HUTOST  or  WATXBSDBY. 


828 


that  no  negro  or  mnlatto  child,  bom  in  this  State  after  March 
1,  1784,  should  be  held  ia  flerritude  anj  longer  than  till 
he  or  fihe  ehonld  arrive  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  jears.  In 
the  same  act,  there  were  restraints  pnt  npon  slayes  similar  to 
those  we  find  at  the  SonUi  at  the  present  day.  Any  Negro, 
Mulatto  or  Indian  servant  fonnd  wandering  beyond  the  bounds 
of  the  town  to  which  he  belonged,  without  a  ticket  or  pass 
from  a  justice  of  the  peace  or  the  owner,  might  be  seized  by 
anybody  as  a  mn-«-way.  If  a  slave  was  caught  out  at  night, 
after  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening,  without  an  order  from  his 
master,  any  person  might  apprehend  and  bring  him  (or  her) 
before  a  justice,  wlio  might  sentence  him  (or  lier)  to  be  pub- 
licly whipped  on  the  naked  body.  Without  such  order,  the 
ferryman  m  Iio  passed  a  slave  over  liis  ferry,  or  the  tradesman 
who  bar<,^;iiiied  with  him,  was  liable  to  a  fine.  So  was  the 
taverner  who  "  entertained  "  him,  or  j)crmitted  him  to  be  in 
his  house,  after  nine  o'clock  at  night.  Free  negroes  traveling 
without  a  pass  might  be  arrested. 

In  1848,  the  Legislature  enacted,  for  the  first  time,  that  no 
person  should  be  held  in  slavery  in  this  State. 

Individually,  our  Puritan  ancestors  were  very  much  such 
men  as  we  are — ^little  better,  no  worse.  Ihere  were  among 
them  men  eminent  for  virtue,  knowledge  and  patriotism ;  while 
there  was  about  the  ordinary  proportion,  found  in  the  farming 
communities,  of  the  worthless  and  the  vile.  A  yery  slight 
inspection  of  the  records  of  the  criminal  courts,  will  dissipate 
the  dreams  of  those  who  contend  that  our  great  grandrires 
were  perfect  beings.  They  were  bred  in  a  rigorous  age,  and 
were  exposed  to  peculiar  hardships,  dangers  and  temptations. 
These  gave  origin  to  peculiar  moral  characteristics — to  virtues 
and  to  vices  which  were  a  little  difierent  from  those  of  other 
ages  and  communities.  But,  on  the  whole,  they,  like  us,  were 
average  men.  We  have  more  science,  a  more  widely  diffused 
literature ;  better  roads  and  bulkier  ships  ;  but  our  men  are 
like  tlieir  men — shoots  from  the  same  stock.  Undistingnish- 
ing  eulogy  caimot  properly  be  applied  to  any  of  the  genera- 
tions of  New  England  ;  nor  will  truth  justify  indiscriminate 
censure.  Saints  and  sinners,  wise  men  and  foolish,  have  been 
(and  will  continue  to  be)  found,  in  fair  proportion,  among  all. 


Digitized  by  Google 


824 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATERBUBY. 


"We  do  rightly  in  judging  leniently  of  the  weaknesses,  and 
mistakes  and  even  the  guilt  of  our  fathers.  We  make  allow- 
ance for  tlieir  circumstances,  the  state  of  their  civilization,  the 
age  in  which  they  lived,  the  modes  of  thinking  which  prevail- 
ed at  the  time,  their  education,  even  their  temptations  and 
prejudices,  and  the  entire  group  of  influences  which  contrib- 
uted to  mould  opinions.  Were  men  equally  tolerant  and 
charitable  towards  their  contemporaries,  much  of  the  wrangling 
which  at  times  makes  earth  a  pandemonium  would  be  avoided. 
Were  men  to  think  more  of  their  own  inflrmifies  and  guilt 
and  less  of  their  neighbors,  they  would  illustrate  a  practical, 
instead  of  a  speculatiye  and  professed  Christianily. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  with  the  eastern  Indians  in  1725, 
New  England  was  at  peace  at  home  and  abroad  till  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  Spanish  war  (in  which  France  soon  joined)  in 
1739.  In  the  expedition  against  Cape  lirc'ton  in  1745,  which 
resulted  in  the  capture  of  Louisburg,  in  which  Connecticut  had 
engaged  nearly  one  thousand  men,  AVaterbury  appears  to  have 
been  represented,  but  I  know  not  how  numerously.  Capt. 
Samuel  Ilickox  was  chosen  by  the  Assembly  a  captain  of  one 
of  the  companies  for  this  service.  Whether  he  joined  the  ex- 
pedition does  not  appear.  Samuel  Thomas,  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  Westbury,  died  at  Cape  Breton,  Jan.  29,  1745-6, 
probably  in  garrison. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  Spanish  and  French  war,  or  in 
1749,  Waterbury  was  visited  hj  a  malignant  and  fatal  disease. 
It  took  the  form  of  a  low,  nervous  fever,  and  is  said  to  have 
run  its  course  in  nine  days.  If  the  sick  person  survived  the 
ninth  day,  recoveiy  was  expected.  It  spread  into  all  parts  of 
the  town  and  was  veiy  &tal  in  Woodbury,  as  mentioned  by 
Mr.  Oothren.  It  commenced  in  June  and  continued  till  the 
following  January.  The  most  &tal  months  were  August  and 
September.  In  these  two  months,  there  were  thirty-eight 
deaths,  besides  two,  at  least,  not  recorded.  In  the  whole 
course  of  the  epidemic,  there  were  sixty-four  deaths  that  are 
recorded,  about  twenty  of  them  heads  of  families.  In  addi- 
tion to  these,  Mr.  Richardson,  in  his  "Historical  Sketch  of 
Watertowu,  '  gives  the  names  of  ten  persons,  making  seventy- 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBSBUBT, 


325 


four  in  all  that  are  known.  It  is  said  there  were  thirty  dcatlis 
in  Northbniy,  Bome  of  them  doubtlefls  not  recorded.  In  such 
times  of  terror,  all  bnsiness  is  carelessly  done.  There  were 
probably  not  fewer  than  ninety  deaths,  in  the  whole,  which, 
oat  of  &  ^Mjp Illation  of  1500,  wonldbein  the  proportion  of  one 
in  sixteen  and  two  thirds,  or  six  per  cent.,  a  greater  propor- 
tional mortality  than  has  since  occnrred  in  the  same  length  of 
time.  In  many  instances,  entire  families  were  prostrated  by 
the  disease.  In  two  of  the  three  parislies,  scarcely  ten  houses 
escaped.  In  several  tamilies,  three  died  in  each ;  and  in  one, 
that  of  John  ]>arnes,  four,  all  under  nineteen  years  of  age. 
Once  in  this  sickness,  there  were  six  graves  open  in  the  old 
burying  ground,  at  the  same  time.  Often  there  was  diihculty 
in  procuring  medicine,  and  sometimes  the  people  had  to  go  as 
far  as  Norwich  for  it.  On  one  occasion,  Mr.  Leavenworth,  the 
minister,  performed  the  journey* — ^in  those  days,  no  sm&ll 
imdertaking.  From  the  middle  of  harvesting  time  till  the 
last  of  Septemb^,  nearly  all  the  inhabitants  that  were  in  health 
were  constantly  employed  in  watching  the  sick  and  burying 
the  dead.  The  crops  were  neglected,  and  despair  settled  upon 
the  countenance  of  alL  The  grass  upon  the  meadows  dried  as 
it  stood.  A  part  of  it  only  was  mowed,  and  that  which  was 
gathered,  on  account  of  its  having  been  secured  out  of  season, 
was  nearly  worthless.  Not  more  than  half  the  usual  acres  of 
the  winter  grains  were  sown,  and  these  were  so  imperfectly  till- 
ed, and  the  seed  was  put  into  the  ground  so  late,  that  a  famine 
was  apprehended.  Under  these  circumstances  of  discourage- 
ment, a  memorial,  signed  by  the  inhabitants  and  dated  Oct.  10th, 
1741),  was  forwarded  to  the  Assembly.  Tliey  spoke  of  having 
"been  visited  by  remarkabU'  and  s<»re  sickness,"  and  then  re- 
counted their  griefs  and  misfortunt'S.  Thoy  prayed  for  the  abate- 
ment of  their  "  country  tax  "  for  the  year,  on  the  list  of  1748. 
Their  request  was  granted,  l)Ut  they  were  not  permitted  to 
draw  their  school  money  for  the  then  current  year. 

In  1755,  the  "  French  Neutrals,"  or  Acadians,  (the  old 
inhabitants  of  Nova  Scotia,)  because  they  refused  to  take  up 
arms  against  France  and  in  fayor  of  their  new  masters,  the 


*  BflUAl  BroMon^  MBS. 


Digitized  by  Google 


326 


HmOBT  OF  WAIEBBUBT. 


English,  were  driven  from  their  homes  and  country,  to 
the  number  of  seven  thousand,  and  distributed  among  the 
American  coh)nies,  from  2se\v  Hampshire  to  Georgia.  Four 
hundred  were  sent  into  Connecticut,  and  apportioned  among 
the  different  towns  according  to  their  respective  listB.  Six 
were  received  by  Waterbury  and  nine  by  Woodbury. 

In  1756,  a  fonnal  declaration  of  war  waa  made  by  England 
a^'aiiist  France,  but  hoetilitiefl  had  been  carried  on  between 
the  two  nations  for  some  time  previous.  This  was  an-erentful 
war  for  the  American  Colonies,  and  Waterbniy  was  well  rep- 
resented in  it  Gapt  £ldad  Lewis  with  his  company  fkoiii 
Waterbury  marched  to  the  scene  of  danger  in  the  ^  Fort  Wil- 
liam Henry  alarmy"  in  1757.  His  company  consisted  of 


Lieut.  John  Sutliff, 
Ens.  Gideon  Hotchkiss, 
Scrg.  Stephen  VVelton, 
Daniel  Porter,  (clerks) 
Thomts  KVibf**^ 
Stephen  MetChewa, 
Samuel  Lewis, 
Bolomon  Barrit, 
Eliakim  Welton, 
Ilczckiah  Brown, 
Shadrack  Benham, 
Daniel  Btrnei, 


Joseph  Warner, 
Charles  Warner, 
Oliver  Terrell, 
Jesse  Alcock, 
Abcaluun  UeberdSi 
Samuel  Jadd, 
Joel  Frost, 
Thomas  Cole, 
Thomas  Williama, 
W.  Scott, 
William  Judd, 


Jonatiian  Gamaej, 

Simeon  Beebo, 
Thomas  Hiekox, 
Samuel  Richards, 
KalbanielBdirards, 
Kathanid  Foot, 
Reuben  Blakealee, 
Ashcr  Blakoslee, 
Ambrose  Field, 
Bei^amiu  Cook, 
Benjamin  Barnes. 


Capt.  Lewis  appears,  afterwards,  to  have  been  at  Lake 
George.  Lieut.  Gideon  Hotchkiss  and  Enos  Ford  and,  proba- 
ably,  his  entire  company,  were  with  him.  Some  of  the  other 
officers  and  soldiers  who  were  engaged  in  the  old  French  war 
were,  Lieut.  Gershoni  Fultord,  Lieut  Timothy  Clark,  Lieut. 
Joel  Clark,  Ensign  Daniel  Potter,  Lieut  Samuel  Judd,  Lieut 
Oliver  Wdton,  Bey.  Mark  Leavenworth,  chapUun,  Inael  Cal- 
kins, James  Brown,  James  Baldwin,  Jesse  Baldwin,  Phineas 
Castle,  Daniel  Webb,  Samnel  Fenn,  Abner  Munson,  Thomas 
Porter,  Stephen  Bronson.  Daniel  Porter,  Jr.,  was  surgeon's  mate. 

When,  in  August,  1Y57,  Fort  William.  Henry,  situated  at 
the  head  of  Lake  George,  and  commanded  by  Col.  Monroe, 
was  besieged  by  a  French  and  Lidian  force  under  Montcalm, 
the  English  general,  AVebb,  was  lying  with  an  anny  of  four 
thousand  men  at  Fort  Edward,  fourteen  miles  distant.  Li- 


Digitized  by  Gopgle 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATSBBUBT. 


827 


Btead  of  marching  to  the  relief  of  Col.  Monroe  and  ihns  Baying 
the  fort,  Webb  wrote  him  a  letter  advising  hie  capitulation* 
The  meeseuger  and  letter  were  intercepted  by  the  Indian  al- 
lies of  Montcalm.  The  latter,  thinking  Webb's  conminnica- 
tion  wonld  promote  his  own  interests,  forwarded  it,  at  once,  to 
tlie  commaiuler  of  tlie  fort.    A  capitulation  soon  followed. 

Now  tlie  messenger  wli<>  bore  the  letter  of  Gen.  Webb  seems 
to  have  Itcen  Israel  Calkins  of  Waterburj',  (above  named.) 
He  remained  in  the  hands  of  the  Indians  after  the  fort  was  sur- 
rendered, and  was  bv  them  taken  to  Canada.  Here  he  was 
"  redc'c  ini'<l  by  a  French  gentleman,''  sent  to  France  a  prisoner  ^ 
of  war,  and  finally  in  a  cartel-ship  to  England  to  be  exchang- 
ed. He  landed  in  Boston  Oct.  6, 1758,  and  immediately  peti- 
tioned the  Legislature  for  "an  allowance  of  wages  during  his 
captivity,"  and  also  a  gratuity  in  consideration  of  the  "severe 
calamaties  "  he  ha<l  siiftered,  "  more  than  words  can  express 
or  imagination  paint."  He  speaks  of  his  property  having  been 
dissipated  during  his  absence,  and  of  the  extreme  destitution 
of  himself  and  family.  He  implores  the  pity  and  compassion 
of  the  Honorable  Assembly/'  &c.  His  prayer  was  heard  and 
£80  granted  him.^State  Papers.  War,  Vol.  YH.)  He  re- 
sided in  that  part  of  the  town  which  is  now  called  Kaugatuck, 
and  was  living  in  178d. 

The  seven  years  war  ended  in  1763  and  "gloriously"  for  the 
British  Empire  in  America.  The  conquest  of  Canada  and  its 
cession  to  England  secured  the  Xew  England  col(tnies  from  fur- 
ther hostile  incursions  from  the  North.  But  with  peace 
came  the  troubles  witli  the  mother  country.  Tlic  British  min 
istry  undertook  to  earry  out  their  plan  of  Bul)duing  the  colo- 
nies— of  making  them  more  dependent  on  the  crown  and  Par- 
liament. It  was  deemed  necessary  that  the  royal  government 
should  be  carried  on  without  the  assistance,  and  in  spite  of 
the  resistance,  of  turbulent  colonial  assemblies.  It  was  claim- 
ed that  the  king  and  Parliament  in  political  and  civil  matters, 
and  the  bishops  in  ecclesiastical  affiurs,  were  supreme  in  all 
cases  whatsoever.  There  could,  properly,  be  no  state  without 
a  king,  or  church  without  a  bishop.  What  were  considered  to 
be  inherent  rights  and  chartered  privileges  were  not  to  stand 
in  the  way  of  the  proposed  changes.  To  carry  out  the  plans 


Digitized  by  Google 


328 


HI8T0BT  OF  WAHEBBUBT. 


of  the  niiiiistrv,  it  was  decicled  that  a  standiiiij:  army  bhould  be 
maintained  in  the  colonies  at  tlieir  own  expeni^c.  A  system 
of  taxation  was  devised,  and  the  celebrated  stamp  act  passed 
in  1764.  In  passing  it,  Parliameiit  meant  to  sMrm  and  estab- 
lish a  right.  An  immediate  revenue  was  a  secondary  object. 
The  colonists  resisted  this  act,  chiefly  on  accoimt  of  the  princi- 
ple it  involved.  Thej  saw  in  it  a  purpose  to  enslave  them ;  or 
at  least,  to  curtail  their  liberties.  They  claimed  the  exclusive 
privilege  of  levying,  collecting  and  appropriating  their  own 
taxes.  They  insbted  that  taxation  and  representation  should  go 
together,  and  that  as  they  had  no  voice  in  Parliament,  the  lat- 
ter could  not,  rightfully,  impose  on  them  taxes.  The  revo- 
lutionary storm  was  already  gathering  and  men^s  minds  were 
stirred  with  profound  emotion.  Tliose  who  believed  in  the 
validity  of  Presbyterian  ordination  and  the  iiidc'i)cndence  nf 
the  American  churches — who  abhorred  prelacy  almost  as 
much  as  they  did  the  pope — were  (juick  to  see  the  religious 
bearings  of  the  (piestions  of  the  day.  They  felt  that  such  a 
measure  as  the  stam]>  act  must  be  resisted,  in  the  l»eginning, 
as  a  dangerous  encroachment  on  their  just  rights,  and  which, 
if  not  opposed  successfully  would  end  in  the  loss  of  their  most 
cherished  institutions,  political  and  religious.  The  Church-of- 
England-men  held  different  views  and  had  diiierent  sympathies. 
They  looked  upon  theirs  as  the  only  true  church,  and  Congre- 
gationalism as  a  heresy  which  had  ruled  too  long  in  this  coun- 
try. They  favored  the  views  and  hoped  for  the  triumph  of 
the  British  government.  The  £ev.  John  Beach,  in  Oct.  1765, 
wrote  to  his  friends  in  England,  saying  that  he  could  not  "dis- 
cover in  any  of  the  church  people  the  least  inclination  to  sedi- 
tion and  rebeUion  against  their  mother  country,  on  account  of 
the  stamp  duty."  The  Bev.  Mr.  Scovill  of  Waterbury,  in  a 
letter  dated  Oct  6, 1767,  wrote  as  follows : 

Th«  church  people  in  my  cure  Appear  to  have  a  serious  sense  of  religion,  and  a 

hearty  love  and  affectiou  to  our  excellent  church,  which  makes  them  greatly 
lament  the  deplorable  condition  of  the  church  in  those  part«,  for  want  of  resident 
bbhops  to  ordjun,  goveru  aud  coufirm  those  of  our  owu  commuoiou.*  They 


*  Up  to  tbit  time  aod  till  1784,  the  Episcopal  clergjr  of  thli  country  were  obliged  to  go  to 
■ogteDd  for  ordlaatba.  Tb^hadloaf  pleaded  for  aMihop  of  thtir  ova  toaaretkoa  Ihla 
trouble. 


Digitized  by  Google 


BIBTO&Y  or  WATEBBCBY. 


329 


who  lire  in  England  where  the  church  ia  rather  triumphant,  can  bare  but  a  faint 
idM  of  its  tnily  mOituit  itate  here  in  New  Engfauid,  where  the  ^Unentera  talce  oc- 
cedom  to  inralt  and  revile  u,  even  for  went  of  that  dIacipUne  which  they  ao  un- 
justly and  ckmorously  opi)o.-<c.   Though  tbcj  would  be  thought  the  greatest 

friends  of  liberty,  ret,  I  doubt  not,  they  would  thiuk  it  a  great  degree  of  oppres- 
sion, and  even  porsL-oution,  to  be  obliged  theniselvea  to  go  3,tMX)  inUos  for  what 
they  judged  esdeutiul  to  the  perfection  of  their  ehurch  ;  and  I  trust  in  God,  we 
are  as  conacientious  in  the  profession  of  the  truth,  and  adherenee  to  the  most 
pore  and  primitiTe  diureh  in  the  world,  as  they  can  be  In  their  errora.  They 
hftve  plentifhUy  reproeched  us  with  the  hated  name  of  Jacobites,  persons  disaffected 
to  the  present  royal  family,  of  blessed  memory  ;  but  when  the  Stamp  Aet  brought 
our  loyalty  to  the  te?t,  I  thank  God  the  scale  turned  greatly  in  our  favour.  While 
we  sen><ibly  feel  all  these  great  disadvantages,  it  fills  us  witli  n-al  grief  and  con- 
cern to  find  the  venerable  society  declining  to  open  any  more  uiLjeiona  in  New 
England.  They,  under  Ood,  by  their  generou  bonnty  and  pious  Bberality,  have 
been  the  nursing  fathers  and  chief  supporters  of  the  languishing  church  in  this 
land,  for  which  unspeakable  farour  our  warmest  sentiments  of  gratitude  and  duty 
will  always  attend  tluMn  ;  and  we  most  humbly  and  earnestly  beg  the  continuunco 
of  their  patronage  an<l  kind  a:«i<istanee,  SO  long  as  our  circumstances  codUhuo  upon 
all  accouutji  bo  truly  pitiable.* 


CUAPTEE  XXL 


REVOLUTIONARY  HIBTORr. 

'The  patriots  of  "Waterbury  took  an  early  and  decided  stand 
against  the  designs  of  the  mother  country.  Tlieir  own  history 
hud  not  tended  to  soften  their  }>rejiidices  again.st  tlie  English 
chnrch.  The  two  parties  were  more  evenly  balanced  than  in 
most  other  towns.  Tlie  Clnirclimcn  were  in  a  minority,  but 
they  were  still  numerous;  sufiieiently  so  to  excite  the  jealousy 
and  even  the  fears  of  the  majority.  When,  at  one  time,  they 
obtained  the  ascendency  in  society  meeting,  in  JN^orthbury, 
the  maimer  they  conducted  themselves  had  not  inspired  confi- 

•  Uawkliu'  Miuloiu*  p.  m. 


Digitized  by  Google 


sao 


Bmxunr  of  waixbbdbt 


deuce  in  their  moderation.  Eeligions  denominations  in  pow- 
er are  not  wont  to  treat  the  opposition  with  peculiar  leniency. 
Such  is  the  transcendent  importance  of  religious  truth,  and 
such  the  wickedness  of  unbelief  or  a  contraiy  belief,  that  men 
are  apt  to  think  any  means  juatifiable  which  tend  to  spread 
the  one  or  suppress  the  other.  The  Congregationalists  cannot 
plead  guiltless  of  the  charge  of  attempting,  when  in  authority, 
to  ^*  crush  out " dissent"  by  the  exercise  of  power. 

When  at  last  the  war  of  the  Be  volution  broke  out,  in  1775, 
the  Churchmen  of  Waterbury,  of  Connecticut  and  of  Now 
England  were  seen  ranged  upon  tlic  side  of  the  j^arent  coun- 
try and  against  the  rebel  colonists.  Thej  were  Iloyalists  or 
Tories.  They  had  reasons,  satisfactory  to  themselves,  for 
their  opinions  and  conduct.  Tliey  wished  the  success  of  the 
British  government,  because  on  that  Buccess  depended  tlieir 
hopes  of  worldly  distinction  and  religious  privilege.  On  that, 
they  supposed,  they  must  rely  for  the  permanent  ascendency 
of  the  Episcopal  church  in  America — its  doctrines,  its  faith 
aud  its  worship.  To  England  they  were  bound  by  the  strong- 
est ties.  From  that  country  their  pariah  cleigymcn  had  from 
the  first  received  a  great  part  of  their  support  They  owed  it 
a  debt  of  gratitude,  which,  if  they  could  not  repay,  tiiey  were 
unwilling  to  forget  They  had  idways  been  the  weaker  party, 
had  been  ridiculed  in  Iheir  weakness  and  sometimes  been 
^  voted"  out  of  their  just  rights.  Their  feelings  had  not  been 
conciliated  and  they  had  come  to  hate  the  Whigs  most  hearti- 
ly. Thej  now  hoped  their  wrongs  would  be  redressed.  They 
thought,  with  some  show  of  reason,  that  resistance  would  be 
in  vain  and  that  the  rebels  woidd  soon  be  compelled  to  re- 
turn to  duty.  It  is  impossible,  tliouglit  they,  for  the  American 
Revolutionists,  without  money  or  discipline,  ill  furnished  with 
arms  and  not  perfectly  united  among  themselves,  to  resist  for 
a  long  time  the  whole  force  of  the  British  empire.  And  there 
were  otlicrs — wise  men — that  entertained  the  same  views. 
The  eventual  triumph  of  the  American  cause,  at  least  as  to  time 
and  manner,  must  be  attributed  mainly  to  the  blunders  of  the 
British  ministry.  Had  the  event  turned  out  differently,  the 
coui-sc  of  the  colonists  would  have  been  considered  rash.  The 
truth  is,  though  each  party  was  determined  on  its  course. 


Digitized  by 


HIBIOBT  OF  WATEBSOST. 


381 


neitlier  expected,  for  a  long  time,  to  come  to  blows.  So  im- 
perfectly did  thej  imdentand  each  other. 

So  great  was  the  alienation  of  feeling  between  the  rival  re- 
ligions sects  in  Waterbury,  that  parents  conld  not  always 
agree  to  send  their  children  to  the  same  school.  To  carry  ont 
this  feeling,  two  districts  were  sometimes  made  within  the 
same  territorial  limits.  In  1775,  a  vote  was  passed  dividing 
the  school  jdistriet  on  the  Farmington  and  Wallingford  road 
into  two,  one  for  the  rrcsbyterians"  and  one  for  "the 
Church  of  England."  At  one  period,  when  thick  gloom  had 
settK'd  over  the  prospects  of  the  colonists  and  tlie  English  or 
church  party  felt  almost  bure  of  a  s})eedy  triumph,  some  of 
the  more  enthuHiastic  of  the  hitter  met  together  and  deternnn- 
ed  in  wliat  manner  the  farms  of  their  0})punent8  should  be 
divided  among  themselves,  after  the  subjugation  of  the 
country.* 

In  Westhury,  as  well  as  in  the  old  society,  excitement  ran 
high.  The  windows  of  the  Episcopal  church  were  demolished. 
The  principal  members  were  not  allowed  to  attend  public 
worship,  but  were  confined  to  their  farms.  "  A  Presbyterian 
deacon"  said,  pablidy,  *'that  if  the  colonies  carried  their 
point,  there  would  not  be  a  church  [English]  in  the  New  En- 
gland states."t  In  Northbnry,  the  Ohnrchmen  were  nnmer 
ons,  every  one  of  whom  was  a  Tory,  while  all  the  Congrega- 
ttonalists  were  Whigs.  Oapt  Amos  Bronson,  an  Epbcopa- 
lian,  commanded  a  militia  company  there,  the  members  of 
which  were  abont  equally  divided  between  the  two  parties. 
Hifl  commission  was  taken  from  him ;  but,  being  a  moderate 
Tory,  he  waa  reelected.  A  commibsion  was  of  course  refused 
hira4 

Several  influential  Churchmen,  early  in  the  progress  of  the 
war,  renounced  the  royal  party  and  joined  the  Whigs. 
Among  these  were  Capt.  Jolm  Welton  of  the  old  society  and 
Capt.  Amos  Bronson  of  Xorthbury.  A  certain  j»amphlet 
written  by  Dr.  Franklin  contributed  materially  to  this  result ; 
while  the  snperciliousness  of  the  British  ofiicials,  and  the  bar- 

*  Mas.  of  DraiMt  BroBSOQ. 

t  A BMiaMriFltetttf  froB hto  MB. lb. MMh ai. BrwiMa, IMlB*, Ohto. 


Digitized  by  Google 


382 


niBIOST  OF  WATBBSUBT. 


barons  mode  in  whicli  their  government  carried  on  the  war, 
were  not  without  influence. 

The  £2>iscopal  clergy  of  Gonnecticat  and  of  New  England 
took  the  lead  in  opposition  to  the  war.  They  kept  up  a  cor- 
respondence with  the  society  at  home,  (of  which  thej  were 
beneficiaries,)  in  which  thej  expressed  their  yiews  freely  of 
the  merits  of  the  controTcrsy,  and  gave  information  of  the 
state  of  the  country.  The  loyalty  of  their  own  chnrch  is  a 
subject  for  frequent  comment  and  congratnladon.  Dr.  Richard 
Mansfield  of  Derby  wrote,  in  Dec.  1775,  that  he  had  preach- 
ed and  taught  quiet  subjection  to  the  king  and  parent  state, 
and  that  he  was  well  assured  that  the  clergy  in  general  of  the 
church  of  the  Culoiiy  of  Connecticut  luul  done  the  same.  Of* 
the  one  Imiuh'ed  and  tliirty  families  under  his  charge,  one 
hundred  and  ten,  he  continued,    are  firm  and  steadfast  friends 
to  c^overnment  and  detest  and  abhor  the  present  and  unnatu- 
ral rebellion,  and  all  those  measures  which  led  to  it."  Far- 
ther on,  he  remarked,  "the  worthy  Mr.  Scovill  [of  Waterbury] 
and  the  venerable  Mr.  Beach  [of  Newtown]  have  had  still 
better  success,  scarcely  a  single  person  being  found  of  their 
congregations  but  what  hath  persevered  steadfastly  in  his 
duty  and  loyalty."* 

l^e  Bev.  Mr.  Inglis,  in  Oct  1776,  wrote  to  the  society  in 
England  as  follows : 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  assure  jou  that  all  the  soc-icty^H  mibs^ionaries,  without  ex- 
oepting  one,  in  N«tr  Jetaey,  New  Toik,  Connecticut,  and,  so  Ikr  m  I  can  learn,  in  tlie 
other  New  Engtauid  colcmiea,  have  proved  themaelTee  liUthfii],  loyal  aerranta  ht 
these  trying  times;  and  have  to  the  utmost  of  their  power  opposed  the  spirit  of  dis- 

nffection  ainl  roliellion  which  has  involved  tlii.-^  continent  in  the  greatest  calamities. 
I  must  add,  tli:it  all  tlie  other  elergy  of  our  tluirch  in  the  above  colonicti,  though 
not  in  the  society's  service,  have  observed  the  same  line  of  conduct. — [Hawkins* 
Missions.] 

[At  the  North,  the  Ujmen  of  the  Episeopal  fidth  were  cooinionly,  like  thefar  ree. 
ton,  Loyalists ;  hnt  at  the  Sonth  it  was  different,  and  many  of  Uie  most  distin 
guishcd  Whigs  of  that  section  were  aealoos  fUends  of  the  estabUahed  church.-— 

Sabine *s  Loyali«t>5,  p.  51. 

Tory  physician-*  were  more  cnmnion  than  Tory  barristers,  or  even  clergymen, 
and  were  treated  with  more  indulgence  Ihuu  other  Tories. — Ibid,  p.  58.] 

In  consequence  of  the  course  taken  by  the  Episcopal  der- 

•  EavUns'  UMooa, 


Digitized  by  Google 


• 


BUIOBT  or  WATSBBUBT. 


88d 


gy,  their  open  opposition  to  the  war  and  their  secret  correspond- 
ence with  the  enemy,  tliey  were  watchc<l  witli  jealousy  and 
BometimeB  treated  with  the  greatest  severity.  They  would  not 
pray  for  the  continental  Congress  after  independence  was  de- 
dared,  hot  insisted  on  using  the  litnigy  as  it  was,  and  praying 
for  the  king  and  royal  family.    At  this,  the  Whigs  were 
wroth  and  would  allow  no  services  in  the  English  churches. 
Mr.  Inglis  wrote  in  Oct  1776,  that  to  officiate  publicly  and 
not  pray  for  the  king  and  royal  family,  according  to  the  litur- 
gy, was  against  tlieir  dntj  and  oath  ;  and  yet  to  use  the  pray- 
ers for  the  kin<^  and  royal  I'amily  would  have  drawn  inevita- 
ble (lestructiuii  on  them.    Tlie  only  course  which  thev  could 
pursue,  to  avoid  both  evils,  was  to  suspend  the  })ul»lic  exer- 
cises.   This  was  accnrdiuirlv  done."    Mr.  I>cach  of  C(»nnecti- 
cut,  alnne,  the  writer  g'»<-s  on  to  state,  continued  to  oiliciatc 
after  iii<lependence  was  declurcd,  he  alhrniin<;  "that  he  would 
do  his  duty,  preach  and  pray  for  the  king,  till  the  rel)els  cut 
out  bis  tongue  I"   Mr.  Inglis  ttirther  complained  that  the  cler- 
gy were  evei^ where  threatened  and  reviled  and  imprisoned 
on  slight  pretenseft-^'*  some  were  pulled  out  of  tlie  reading 
desk  because  they  prayed  for  the  kin^;,  and  that  before  inde- 
pendence was  declared" — others  have  been  warned  to  ap- 
pear at  militia  musters  with  their  arms,  have  been  fined  for 
not  appearing  and  then  threatened  with  imprisonment  for  not 
paying  their  fines."* 

Dr.  Mansfield,  already  mentioned,  wrote  to  Gov.  Tiyon  ear- 
ly in  the  war,  giving  it  as  bis  opinion  that  if  the  king's  troops 
were  present  to  protect  the  Boyallsts,  "  several  thousand  men 
in  the  three  western  counties  of  the  Colony  [of  Connecticut] 
would  join  him."  The  letter  was  intercepted  and  Dr.  M.  was 
forced  to  fly  for  his  life. 

In  1777,  according  to  Mr.  Inglis,  all  the  society's  missiona- 
aries  in  Connecticut  were  "  either  removed  to  a  distant  part 
of  the  province  from  their  cui*ea  and  there  detained,  (»r  else 
confined  in  their  own  hou.>es."  To  the  credit  of  the  parties  in 
TVaterbury,  it  may  be  said  that,  though  the  excitement  was 
intense,  no  scenes  were  enacted  here  such  as  w^re  \\  itncs>ed 
in  some  other  towns.  This  is  doubtless  to  be  attributed  in  part 

•  BawUu'lllMtoiM. 


Digitized  by  Google 


884  HDTOBT  OW  W-^IEMBUKT, 

to  the  prudence  and  wiadom  of  Mr.  Scovill.  He  was  some- 
times threatened.  Occasionally,  he  bad  reason  to  fear  injuiy* 
In  the  more  critical  seasons,  it  is  stated,  he  often  slept  from 
home  in  order  to  be  ont  of  the  way  of  midnight  calls;  but  he 
had  the  courage,  which  the  Whigs  respected,  to  remain 
through  the  war. 

It  has  been  customary  to  denounce  the  Tories  of  the  Hevo- 
lution  as  the  worst  of  people— devils  incarnate.  But  the  time 
has  arrived  when  we  should  be  able  to  view  them  impartial- 
ly. They  were  mistaken  men,  but  no  doubt  can  exist  that 
they  were  in  the  main  conscientious  and  patriotic.  They 
tliought,  doubtless,  that  they  were  in  pursuit  of  tlie  greatest 
and  most  pcriiianeiit  jrond  of  their  coimtr}-.  They  "svere  actua- 
ted by  a  principle  of  loyalty  to  government  and  of  respect  for 
existing  laws. 

When  tlie  time  for  action  came,  the  majority  of  the  peo- 
ple of  Water! lury  were  the  fast  friends  of  c<»h)nial  rights.  Af- 
ter tlie  meeting  of  the  General  Congress,  in  1774,  a  town 
meeting  was  warned  to  be  held  on  the  17th  day  of  November, 
1774,  "  for  the  purpose  mentioned  in  the  eleventh  article  of 
the  association  of  the  General  Congress,  &c."  At  this  meet- 
ing, Phineas  Boyce,  Esq.,  was  chosen  moderator,  and  Bev. 
Mr.  Leavenworth  made  a  prayer.* 

•  Periodically  and  on  Important  special  occasions,  our  fathers  met  In  town  meetings  for  the 
traiuactlon  of  the  public  biuiness  and  for  genera)  conaultation  and  dtacuMion.  Tbeae  meeting* 
gkf  ft  good  Mm  of  Amurtmu  rtpabllemliiB  to  III  pfaetteal  wMtdofi.  b  Umb,  ib«  p««pl« 
learned  their  first  lessons  In  (roTemment.  These  assemblies  formerly  cTcrcUed  more  pxtenslT# 
powers,  and  bad  the  oreraigbt  of  more  numeroiu  interests,  tban  now.  The  affairs  of  ecclcaiM> 
ttofti  aodaChMlMdtllMfMwdlMtiMwe  betongtag  navt  Mflctty  to  tbt  «1i«lt  tavn,  w«f«  r«gw 
ulntcd  In  them.  Voluntary  associations  are  of  conipnratively  modem  origin.  Tlic  prent  town 
meeting,  so  called  hj  Mr.  Soathmajrd,  was  held  annualljr  in  December.  A  person  to  be  qualified 
toToteButlw*MftdiiMttcd  liibaUCaiit,fthoiHdNMerftDdattaD«rtobereoBTcmllM,**aBd 
hare  a  freehold  oMfttoof  fifty  !<>iill!nf:8.  After  some  Influential  man  had  tu  i  n  i  linscp  modefft 
tor,  "  the  meeting  was  opened  with  prajrer."  (The  custom  of  opening  town  meeting  with  pmyer 
te  sbM  to  bo  iUll  kept  op  In  mm  of  fbo  «ld  town*  hi  thto  Stelo.  Wben  eoDponlce  met  for  mtU. 
tory  parnde,  a  prayer  from  the  minister  formerly  introduced  the  business  of  the  day.) 

A  town  clerk,  constable  and  selectmen,  "oUe,  discreet  and  of  good  conrersatlon,"  and  other 
•fltoWfi  Vort  ttM  chosen,  in  proper  order.  The  penalty  for  reftislng  to  serve  was  for^  shIU 
Itogs.  All,  down  to  fence-Tlewers  ond  town -brander,  were  required  to  take  an  oatl^ftiid  tUi  «»• 
genemlly  administered  In  open  meeting.  To  prcreot  disorderly  conduct  In  town  meetings,* 
•tfttate  was  passed  to  punish  the  same.  "  At  •  court  for  ye  tryal  of  small  causes,  held  in  Water- 
bury,  Jan.  9, 1766,  present  IhoHM  Clark  one  of  his  Ifagesties  Justices  of  the  poMO,"  TboBM 
DooUttle  and  John  names  were  arrnlpned  for  the  breach  of  the  above  law,  and  were  fined,  each 
6t.  and  the  cosu  of  court.  Is.  At  Uie  next  town  meeting,  Peb.  1ft,  17M,  there  is  tliis  entry— 
•'Totod  to  giro  TbMNft  DeOllltlft  Ui  fiM  Ibr  tpMktaf  wltho«t  Ubarty  In  town  BMtli^.** 
BftiWt  It  It  prwoMtd,  thewod  ton  woArltloii,  and  Iht  Am  WH  aaMted. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBBBUST 


835 


At  the  same  meeting,  the  extrnct.s  of  the  procceduigs  of  the  hue  rospcctalile 
continental  Congress  holdeu  at  Philadelphia  having  been  read,  (together  with  the 
retotros  of  the  Hoom  of  BaptMentotiTM  [of  Conneotiettt]  thereon,)  and  the  same 
appeafing  a  wise  and  jnAcIons  pha  in  the  fweaent  dangerons  and  dUHcidt  ttate  of 
our  public  afikirs,  in  order  to  effect  *a  h^ipjand  much  to  be  daaired  onion 
between  Great  Britain  and  these  colonies — 

This  meeting  therefore  agree  and  resolve  faithfully  to  adhere  to  and  Btrictly  to 
abide  bj  the  a^s^ociation  entered  into  by  said  Congress — and  appoint  tlie  gentle- 
men hereafter  named  a  committee  to  see  the  same  earried  into  eMent&Mi  in  every 
article  tliereoC 

TheaborevnaafanovalyvoledMidliDraeommittee,  Joseph  Hopkioa  and  Timo* 

thy  Judd,  Esqs.,  captains  John  Welton,  Gideon  Hotchkiss,  John  Lewis,  Benjamin 
Riehard-j,  Nathaniel  Barnes,  Doct.  Ehenezer  Beardi*ley,  Doct.  Roger  Conant,  Mesars. 
Andrew  Bronaon,  James  Bronson,  Stephen  Matthews,  Jesse  Curtis,  Jostah  Rogers, 
chosen. 

At  the  tamo  meeting,  voted  that  the  town  deilc  ahall  get  a  copy  of  the  dxringi 
of  the  Oongreaa  weU  boond  at  the  eost  of  tlietown,  andlodge  it  in  Ida  office,  tliere 

to  remain  among  the  records  of  the  town,  for  the  nno  of  fiitore  generations. 

Voted  al<^o,  that  in  ea^ie  a  County  congress  should  be  agreed  npon  and  desired 
in  the  County,  (whiih  we  would  recommend,)  then  the  above  said  committee  shall 
choose  and  appoint  two  out  of  their  number  to  attend  such  Congress. 

Toted  also  tiiat  the  doings  of  this  meeting  shall  bo  published. 

The  articles  of  the  Continental  Congress  to  which  the  town 
"  resolved  faithfully  to  adhere,"  pledged  the  delegates  and  the 
people  of  the  several  colonies  they  represented  to  a  system  of 
non-intcrcoorse  with  Great  Britain,  this  being  thought  the 
most  effective  means  of  obtaining  redress  of  grievances.  Noth- 
ing was  to  be  imported,  bought,  sold  or  consumed  which  was 
the  product  of  the  British  Islands— no  £a8t  India  tea,  no  mo- 
lasses, syrnp}  coffee,  pimento,  &e*  Slaves  were  no  longer  to 
be  imported,  and  the  trade  was  to  be  disoontinned.  I3ie 
eleventh  article  reoonmiended  that  every  connty,  city  and 
town  should  appoint  a  kind  of  vigilance  committee,  whose 
buttness  it  shall  be  attentively  to  observe  the  conduct  of  all 
persons  touching  this  association,"  and  if  any  one  was  found 
violating  it,  the  case  to  be  published  in  the  Gazette,  to  the 
end  that  all  such  foes  to  the  rights  of  British  America  may  be 
publicly  known  and  nniversally  contemned,  as  the  enemies  of 
American  liberty,  and  thenceforth  we  respectively  break  oft' 
all  dealings  with  him  or  her."  It  was  in  accordance  with  the 
recommendation  of  this  article,  (and  of  the  House  of  Rep- 
rcpcntatives  of  the  Colony,)  that  the  town  meeting  above 
noticed  was  warned  and  the  committee  named  appointed. 


Digitized  by  Google 


336 


mSIO&r  OF  WATEBBUST. 


At  the  next  meeting,  which  wa©  heUl  Jan.  ISth,  followinir, 
the  town  voted  that  tlie  selectmen  should  procure  a  (lou])le 
stock  of  powder,  lead  and  tiints,  and  ''build  a  house  suitable 
to  store  "  them  in — a  j)roof  that  the  people  were  thoroughly 
in  earnest.  While  they  talked  of  "  a  happy  and  much  to  be 
desired  union  between  Great  Britain  and  these  colonies,"  and 
felt  doubtless  as  they  talked,  tliej  were  determined,  as  &r 
as  possible,  to  be  prepared  for  the  worst.  At  the  same  meet- 
ing, Col.  Jonathan  Baldwin,  Capt.  John  Welton,  Josei)li  Hop- 
kins, Esq.,  Capt.  Samuel  Hickox,  Timothy  Jndd,  Esq.,  Messrs. 
Stephen  Welton,  James  Porter,  Jr.,  Stephen  Seymour,  Randal 
Evans,  Dayid  Smith,  Josiah  Bogers,  Samuel  Lewis,  Esq., 
and  John  Hopkins  were  chosen  a  comnuttee  to  receive  the 
donations  that  may  be  contributed  towards  the  relief  of  the 
poor  in  Boston,"  who  Were  suffering  at  this  time,  from  the 
effects  of  the  odious  Boston  Fort  Bill.  The  Boston  people 
threw  the  tea  on  which  a  duty  had  been  leried  by  the  gov- 
ernment at  home,  into  the  harbor,  and  this  bill  was  ]>assed 
by  Parliament  in  retaliation.  Tlie  design  was  to  destroy  the 
coniuierce  of  that  refractory  town,  and  to  transfer  its  business 
to  Salem.  It  was  an  oppressive  act,  a  general  sympathy  was 
awakened,  and  material  aid  was  contributed,  in  all  parts  of  the 
country,  for  the  relief  of  that  doomed  people.  Nearly  all  tiie 
towns  in  Connecticut  had  public  meetings  and  sent  money, 
provisions,  live  stock,  or  whatever  they  could  spare. 

After  the  skirmishes  (not  haitUs)  at  Lexington  and  Concord, 
in  April,  1775,  the  Connecticut  Legislature  took  immediate  and 
decisive  steps  in  way  of  preparing  for  the  contest  An  act 
was  passed  for  enlisting  and  equipping  one  fourth  part  of  the 
militia,  for  the  safety  and  defense  of  the  colony."  They 
were  to  be  divided  into  regiments,  and  the  companies  to 
contain  one  hundred  men  each.  The  eighth  company  of  the 
first  regiment  (commanded  by  Major  General  David  Wooeter) 
was  to  be  raised  in  Waterbury.  The  officers  appointed  to 
command  it  were  Phineas  Porter,  captain ;  Stephen  Mat- 
thews, 1st  lieutenant;  Isaac  Bronson,  2d  lieutenant;  David 
Smitli,  ensign.  Their  term  of  service  was  not  to  exceed  seven 
mouths.  Each  soldier  was  to  have  a  premium  of  fifty-two 
shilliugs  to  be  paid  at  tlie  time  of  enlistment,  and  one  month's 


Digitized  by  Google 


BmOBT  OF  WATEBBOl^T* 


337 


advance  paj,  amounting  to  forty  shillings,  besides  ten  shillings 
for  the  nse  of  his  arms,  and  sixpence  a  day  for  billeting  money. 
Capt.  Porter  was  in  readiness  and  about  to  march late  in 
May. 

As  an  attack  was  apprehended  on  some  of  the  towns  upon 
the  sea-coast,  Capt  Porter  was  first  ordered  to  march  into 
Fairfield  county.  Afterwards,  he  was  directed  to  go  to  the 
Hudson  Riyer  and  so  north.  He  was  in  Greenbush  in  Octo- 
ber. Thence  he  marched  by  way  of  Albany  to  Lake  Cham* 
plain,  where  he  was  at  the  expiration  of  the  time  for  which 
his  company  was  enlisted.  Some  of  them  then  returned  to 
"Waterbury.  Others  chose  to  continue  with  the  army,  went 
into  Canada  and  were  wirli  generals  Montgomery  and  Woos- 
ter  at  the  taking  of  Montreal.  Some  were  present  at  the 
storming  of  Quebec,  mider  Arnold,  late  in  Dec.  1775,  when 
Montjronierv  fell.  Amonf;  them  were  Freeman  and  Daniel 
Judd.    The  latter  died  ot  small  pox,  near  Quebec,  Feb.  2, 1776. 

In  the  year  1775,  Waterbury  furnished,  for  the  continental 
army,  one  hundred  and  tifty-two  soldiers.  This  appeal's  from 
a  certificate  of  tlie  town  officers  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Colony, 
claiming  an  abatement  of  this  number  of  polls  (taxed  at 
£2,736)  according  to  an  act  of  Assembly.  Of  the  fifty-five 
towns  whose  retomsare  on  record,  Waterbnry  appears  to  have 
provided  more  men  than  any  other,  except  Farmington  and 
New  Haven,  which  had  respectively,  one  hundred  and  fifly- 
sevenandone  hundred  and  fifty-three.  Woodbury  had  one 
hundred  and  fifty.  No  town  in  the  Colony,  not  itself  the 
theater  of  conflict,  made  greater  peiBonal  sacaifices  through- 
out the  war  than  Waterbury.  It  contributed  men^the  rank 
and  file  of  the  army — and  had  hut  an  insignificant  share  of  the 
honors  and  emoluments  of  the  war. 

In  March,  1776,  Gen.  Howe  evacuated  Boston,  and  in  June 
following  appeared  before  New  York.  Congress  made  a  re- 
quisition on  Connecticut  for  troops.  The  Legislature,  then  in 
session,  (in  June,)  })assed  an  act  for  raising,  by  voluntary  in- 
listment,  seven  regiments  to  l)e  marched  immediately  to  New 
York  to  join  the  contiucutal  army.*   They  were  to  serve  till 

•  BnA  WM  ih«  MrthwlHB  Dm  Um  paiH*  Mrtkc,  al  •&  cM|r  period,  tiMt  to  nmr  toww 
votaataqr  «eapaaki  w«r«  raiNd,  efltomd  and  equipptd.  JMlf  4,  IfTtft  a  conpaaj  9t  iMMHt* 

22 


Digitized  by  Google 


338  HISTO&T  OF  WATEBBUBT. 

the  25th  of  December  following,  unless  Fooner  discharged. 
The  f»tHcers  of  tlie  tifrli  re«rinient  were  AVilliani  Douirlass,  (of 
Korthford,)  colonel,  James  xVrn()ldj  lieutenant  colonel,  and 
Phineas  Porter,  major.  The  sixth  company  of  this  regiment 
was  from  Waterbury,  and  its  commissioned  (•ilicers  were  Jolm 
Lowia,  Jr.,  captain,  James  "Warner,  1st  lieutenant,  Michael 
Bronson,  2d  lieateoant  and  Jr  si  ]>li  Peach,  Jr.,  ensign.  Early 
in  August,  such  was  the  critical  condition  of  affairs,  at  the 
ui^geot  solicitation  of  Qeneral  Washington,  the  goyemor  and 
conncil  of  safety,  constitnting  the  committee  of  war,  directed 
all  the  standing  militia  west  of  the  Connecticut  Biver  and  two 
regiments  on  the  east  side,  to  march  forthwith  to  New  York, 
"  until  the  present  exigency  is  oyer."  The  Waterbury  militia, 
attached  to  the  10th  regiment,  marched  under  lient  OoL 
Jonathan  Baldwin,  the  17th  of  August,  ten  days  only  after 
the  order  was  issued.  It  is  estimated  that  full  one  half  of 
"Wushinj'ton's  army  in  and  ahout  New  York,  this  vcar,  were 
Connecticut  men  ;  and  that  during  this  season,  (1770,)  the 
Colony  had  in  all  full  twenty  thousand  troops  in  the  service, 
whereas,  her  whole  availahle  military  force,  (from  sixteen  to 
lifty  years  of  age,)  did  not  much  exceed  twenty-three  thousand. 
It  is  notorious  that  Connecticut  did  more  than  her  part  through- 
out the  Ilevolutionarv  war,  as  she  had  uniformlv  done  in 
previous  wars.  This  fact,  however,  is  most  likely  to  be  con- 
ceded when  stated  with  modesty.  If  other  States  did  not  do 
as  much,  they  all  did  well.  No  one  of  them  which  does  not 
institute  invidious  comparisons  need  he  ashamed. 

In  the  disastrous  conflict  on  Long  Island,  which  occurred 
on  the  27th  day  of  August,  1776,  Colonel  Douglass  with  his 
regiment  [the  fifth]  was  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight."*  He 
was  afterwards  engaged  in  seyeral  actions  near  New  York, 
and  was  himself  particularly  distinguished  at  Harlem  Heights, 
White  Plains  and  Phillip's  Manor.  In  the  retreat  from  Long 
Island  the  night  after  the  fight,  Major  Porter  is  .said  to  have 


hold«n  WM  ftwoMd  In  W*l«riNii7.  Thej  tanililMd  tbcniMtTM  with  amm  and  Meontrcmala ; 

chose  Jonathan  Curtis  for  their  cajittln,  Timothy  Poml  for  llculciinnt  nml  ?,inni.  1  ScovHl, 
0ifD,  and  reported  tbemielves  ready  for  dutjr.  Uliunan'a  War  of  the  fievolutioa,  p.  669. 
•  Holllst«r^  OMiiMllmitt  ToL  II,  p.  37C 


Digitized  by  Google 


mSTOBT  OF  WATESBUBT. 


339 


been  in  tlie  last  boat.  Afterwards,  he  was  taken  a  prisoner 
in  New  York,  and  at  tlie  end  of  three  niontlis,  was  exciianged. 
Capt.  Stephen  Matthews,  attached  to  Cob  Ileman  Swift's  rein- 
ruent,  had  eleven  of  his  company  killed  in  this  campaign. 
Lieut.  Nathaniel  Edwards  (of  AVcstbnry)  was  taken  prisoner 
at  the  capture  of  Fort  Washington,  lie  was  not  released  for 
two  years,  and  did  not  return  to  his  home  till  1780. 

In  November,  the  G^eral  Assembly  enacted  that  four 
battalions,  (regiments,)  properly  officered,  should  be  forthwith 
raised  by  Tolnntaiy  eidlstment,  (to  take  the  place,  probably, 
of  those  whose  term  of  service  was  about  to  expire,)  who  were 
to  serve  till  the  15th  day  of  Uarch,  1777.  The  officers  of  one 
of  the  companies  (which  was  from  Waterbury)  in  the  2d  bat- 
talion, commanded  by  Col.  Thadens  Cook,  were  Benjamin 
Kichards,  captain,  Isaac  Bronson,  Jr.,  1st  lieutenant,  William 
Law,  2d  lieutenant,  Benjamin  Fenn,  Jr.,  ensign. 

At  the  time  the  liriti?^h  troops  were  nuiking  their  wny  across 
New  Jersey  towards  l*hiladeli>hia,  Pennsylvania  and  the 
whole  country  became  very  much  alarmed.  While  extraordi- 
narv  etlbrts  were  beins:  juade  to  ruinforce  Gen.  WashiiiL^ton 
and  Gen.  Lee,  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut,  in  Decem- 
ber, earnestly  called  upon  all  able  bodied  men,  living  west  of 
Connecticut  river,  to  go  forward  and  ofler  themselves  for  the 
service.  A  committee  was  appointed  '^to  arouse  and  atiimate 
the  people  to  rise  and  exert  themselves  with  the  greatest  ex- 
pedition,'' and  "to  set  on  foot  with  all  expedition  an  enlistment 
in  the  various  parts  of  the  State."  On  this  committee  are 
found  the  names  of  Mark  Leavenworth  and  Capt.  Thomas 
Porter,  apparently  of  Waterbury. 

Near  the  dose  of  this  year,  (1776,)  the  General' Assembly 
reorganized  the  militia  of  the  State,  forming  them  into  six  bri- 
gades. At  the  same  time,  "  it  was  enacted  that  all  male  per^ 
sons  from  16  years  of  age  to  60  yean,  not  included  in  the  train- 
band, and  exempted  from  ordinary  training)"  (with  certain  ex- 
ceptions,) should  be  formed  into  eompanies,  and  equipped  to 
constitute  an  alarm  list.  These  were  called  "alarm  companies." 
Those  over  fifty  years  of  a^e  could  not  be  compelled  to  march 
out  of  the  State.  With  this  exception,  tlicy  were,  in  ease  f»f 
alarm,  or  ordei'S  given  by  a  superior  officer,"  to  be  liable  to 


Digitized  by  Google 


340 


HISTO&T  07  WATEEBCBT, 


the  same  duties,  service  aud  penaltieB  as  others  of  tlie  militia.* 
I  find  in  Major  Phiiieas  Porter's  "orderly  book"  a  list  of  the 
officers  of  the  alarm  companies  of  Waterbiir}',  (to  wit,)  1.  Capt, 
Phiiieas  Castle,  Lieut.  Ashbel  Porter,  Ens.  Timothy  Clark. 
2.  Capt.  John  Woodruff,  Lieut.  Tliomas  Dutton,  Ens.  John 
Stoddard.  3.  Capt.  Isaac  Bronson,  Lieut.  Aaron  Benedict, 
Ens.  John  Slater.  4.  Capt.  Jothani  Curtis,  Lieut.  Timothy 
Pond,  Ens.  Samuel  Scovill.  5.  Capt.  Stephen  Seymour,  Lieut. 
Daniel  Sanford,  Ens.  Samuel  Parker.  G.  Capt^  Josiah  Terrel) 
laeat  Stephen  Hopkins,  Ens.  Hesekiah  Hine. 

The  experience  gained  in  the  campaigns  in  1775  and  1770 
had  tanght  the  countiy  the  rninona  effects  of  the  qrstem  of 
short  enlistments.  No  sooner  had  the  troops  acqnired  some 
discipline  and  effidency,  than  their  term  of  service  had  expired, 
and  their  places  must  be  filled  by  raw  recmits.  Patriotic  senti- 
ments and  enthusiasm,  it  was  found,  were  not  a  safe  de- 
pendence in  a  protracted  war.  Thej  might  lead  to  heroic 
deeds,  as  at  Bunker  Hill.  They  might  sustain  soldiers  behind 
a  breast-work  ;  but  would  not  with  certainty  hold  them  to  their 
duty  in  the  open  field  and  through  a  campaign.  America 
must  have  trained  battalions  before  she  could  meet  successfully 
the  disciplined  armies  of  England.  Tlie  Legislature,  therefore, 
in  compliance  with  a  resolution  of  Congress,  resolved  that 
eight  battalions  (regiments)  should  be  immediately  raised,  by 
enlistment,  out  of  the  Connecticut  troops  then  in  the  army  and 
other  inhabitants  of  the  State,  to  serve  during  the  war,  on  the 
terms  proposed  by  Congress.t  Among  the  officers  which  were 
at  the  same  time  appointed,  are  found  the  names  of  David  Smith, 
captain,  and  Michael  Bronson,  Ist  lieutenant,  both  of  Water- 
bury.  This  was  in  November,  1776.  Capt.  Smith's  company 
was  made  up  wholly,  or  nearly  so,  of  Waterbury  men. 

Waterbury's  quota  of  troops  for  the  eight  regiments  seems 
to  have  been  one  hundred  and  thirty-one.  To  devise  measures 
to  facilitate  tiie  enlistment,  (which  made  but  slow  progress,) 
and  in  conformity  to  the  recommendation  of  the  governor 
and  council  of  ssfety,  a  town  meeting  was  called  on  the  first 

•  HlniBAii's  B«Tolatiooar]r  Wftr,  p.  S61. 

t  Aflcrwardj,  tho»«  who  enlisted  for  three  JtU*  were  put  upon  the  xatnp  fonUnf  ai  fhoM 
who  were  engAged  for  the  war,  except  the  fonmr  had  no  part  of  the  100  »crea  of  land. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATEBBUBT< 


841 


day  of  April,  1777.  At  this  meeting,  a  vote  was  passed  to  give 
each  non-commisnoned  officer  and  soldier  who  should  enlist, 
or  had  already  enlbted,  into  the  continental  armj,  for  three 
years,  or  during  the  war,  twelve  pounds  lawful  money  annually, 
one  half  to  be  paid  at  the  time  of  enlistment.  Tu  provide 
the  means,  a  tax  was  laid  of  one  shilling  lawful  money  on  the 
pound,  and  a  eonirnittcH'  appointed  to  act  in  the  matter. 

Tliat  the  fainilii'S  of  those  who  enlisted  might  be  cared  for, 
the  goveninr  ami  cumcil  recommended  that  the  towns  sliould 
])rovide  for  them  the  neee-saries  of  lite  "  at  the  price  fixed  by 
law."  AVaterl)ury  resolved  to  make  the  provision  and  a])- 
piiinted  a  connnittee  to  see  it  done.  Tlie  members  of  the  com- 
mittee (which  wu>  reappointed  annually,  in  December)  were 
Capt.  Stephen  Matthews,  lliomas  Dutton,  Jonathan  Scott, 
Benjamin  Munson,  Daniel  Bronson,  Capt.  John  AVelton,  John 
Thomson,  Wait  ITotchkiss,  Daniel  Sanford,  Samuel  Scovill, 
Thomas  Fancher,  Capt.  KSamuel  Porter,  Gidepn  Hickox,  Ste- 
phen Warner  and  Josiah  Sogers. 

In  October,  1777,  the  Assembly  ordered  that  each  town  in 
the  State  should  procure  immediately  for  each  non-commis- 
sioned officer  and  soldier  in  the  continental  army  belonging  to 
such  town,  one  shirt  or  more,  one  hunting  shirt  or  fVock,  one 
pair  woolen  overalls,  one  (or  two)  pair  of  stockings  and  one 
pair  of  good  shoes,  at  certain  stipidated  prices.  If  said  arti- 
cles of  clothing  could  not  otherwise  bo  procured,  the  town  au- 
thorities were  authorized  "  to  impress  "  them  wherever  found, 
whenever  they  could  be  spared.  A  town  meeting  was  held 
in  October,  according  to  recommendation,  and  a  vote  taken  to 
comply,  ttc.  To  carry  the  object  of  the  meeting  into  execu- 
tion, a  committee  was  a]»pointe<l,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Eli 
Bronson,  David  Taylor,  Moses  Cook,  Peter  Welton,  Abraliani 
Andrews,  Samuel  llickox,  Pln'neas  Koyce,  Esq.,  John  Dunl)ar, 
Caleb  Barnes,  Joseph  Sutlilf,  Jr.,  Daniel  Alcock, Simeon  Hop- 
kins, Samuel  Lewis,  Esq.,  Gideon  Ilotchkiss  and  IraBebee. 
The  result  of  the  movement  was  that  Waterbuty  provided 
(for  which  the  selectmen  presented  an  account  against  the 
State)  115  woolen  shirts,  containing  262^  yards  of  shirting; 
^  linen  shirts  with  65yds»  of  do.;  188  fifocks,  (hunting  shirts,) 
having  866  yds. toe  cloth 130  pairs  of   over  hans,**  having 


Digitized  by  Google 


342 


mSTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBY. 


805i  yds.  fulled  elotli ;  184:  pairs  of  stockings ;  127  pairs  of  shoes  ; 
5  sacks  of  toe  cloth  "  for  transporting  clothing.  A  bill  was 
made  oat  against  the  State  for  these  items,  to  which  was  added 

286.  officers  fees  for  impressing  sandries  of  clothing."  There 
may  have  been  other  articles  furnished  besides  those  mentioned 
in  ihe  above  schednle,  in  order  to  make  np  the  apparent  de- 
ficiency of  some  of  them.  The  number  of  "  frocks "  named 
(133)  may  have  been  the  whole  number  required,  and  may 
have  roi»reseiited  the  number  of  soldiers  then  in  the  regular 
arinv  from  AViiterburv. 

The  frock  or  hunting  shirt  was  a  common  article  of  the  sol- 
dier's (h'css  in  the  Revohititm.  It  was  rocomi)icn(lt.'(l  bv  tlie 
commanding  officer  of  tin*  Connecticut  troops  iu  ]Scw  York, 
as  a  part  of  the  uniform,  ub  follows : 

The  Genenl  bdng  niuible  of  the  difficulty  of  proriding  doth  of  almost  any 

kind  for  the  troops,  feels  an  unwillingnei^s  to  recommend,  much  more  to  order, 
any  kiinl  of  unifurtn;  hut  us  it  is  ahsohitoly  nocofsary  that  men  sliouhl  have 
tlothes  atul  apjM  ar  tU'Cfiit  and  liglit,  he  earne.-^lly  encourapcs  the  of  huntuig 
shirtei,  with  long  breeches  of  the  game  cloth  made  gaiter  faj>h)on  about  the  leg^s 
to  all  thoee  who  are  mproTlded.  No  dreaa  can  be  had  cheaper  or  more  oonven. 
ient,  as  the  wearer  can  be  cool  in  warm  weather,  and  warm  In  cold  weather  by 
putting  on  under  clothes,  which  will  not  cliange  the  outward  dre««,  winter  or 
gummer — besides  w  hieh,  it  is  a  dress  supposed  to  carry  no  small  terror  to  the 
encrnv,  who  tliiiik  every  such  man  a  complete  marksman.*  [Major  Pbiueae  For- 
mer's Orderly  Book,  July  22d,  1776.J 

Among  the  other  articles  which  the  American  army  stood 
in  need  of,  and  without  which  battles  conid  not  be  won,  was 
lead.  A  committee  was  appointed  by  the  Legislature,  consist- 
ing of  Joseph  Hopkins  (of  Waterburv)  and  others,  to  search 
for  lead  mines  in  the  State.  At  the  buuic  time,  it  wu>  i>rovi- 
(UmI  that  tlie  selectmen  of  all  the  towns  bhoukl  }»nrcliase  all 
tlie  lead  they  could  tind — lead  weight:*,  bar  lead,  old  lead,  .^liot, 
6:c.,  at  a  reasonable  jTiee,  and  to  see  that  the  same  was  east 
into  bullets  of  suitable  and  various  sizes.  The  selectmen  of 
AVaterbiiry  reported,  March  20, 1777,  tliat  they  had  collected 
foure  hundred  and  tifty  live  ll»s.  and  were  runuln;^  up  the 

*  Onr  aneeitori  were  tkUUM  In  Hie  iu«  of  Are  amif .  Hanllnf  wm  wMi  th«n  an  oeenpatfon. 

Deer  alMunded  Id  our  town, uid  were  killed  for  fo'  d  ami  (.lotliinif.  There  was  a  peiuilty  for 
destrojriDg  them  out  of  aeawm,  which  was  often  exacted  of  the  Waterbury  hunter*.  Foxes  and 
wild  OftU  were  also  common,  uid  for  the  destruction  of  tbete  the  toirn  paid  a  premium.  It  waa 
la  Uie  pnnalt  of  gaoM  tbat  oar  ttMun  twcMMimrkiaiMi. 


Digitized  by  Google 


mSTOBY  OF  WATEBBU&Y. 


343 


same  into  bullets,  and  had  made  some  allowance  for  waste, 
the  cost  ot*  which  amounted  to  £10 — 17 — 6,  at  Od.  per  lb." 
They  asked  for  an  order  on  tlie  state  treasury  for  that  amoimt. 

In  the  campaign  of  1777,  the  Connecticut  militia  were  not 
quite  80  severely  taxed  as  in  the  year  preyions.  Late  in 
April,  however,  tibie  State  was  invaded  for  the  first  time,  by 
Gov.  Tyron,  when  Danbury  (where  some  military  stores  had 
been  accnmulated)  was  burnt.  The  neighboring  militsa 
were  summoned.  Many  arrived  the  next  day  to  take  part  in 
the  action,  in  which  Gen.  Wooster  was  mortally  wounded. 
Aner  Bradley  (then,  or  immediately  afterwards,  of  West- 
bury)  received  a  musket  ball  in  the  side. 

In  this  year,  Lieut.  Cul.  Baldwin  was  statitnitd  with  his  rcgi- 
nu'iit  at  l"i>hk.ill  and  on  the  Hudson,  as  part  of  the  tV»ree  de- 
signud  to  guard  the  Iligldands,  and  ])revent  the  conmiuniea- 
tion  of  the  eneniv  bidow  with  Gen.  iJurj/ovne,  wlio  was  com- 
in<^  down  iVoni  tlie  north,  lie  had  several  companies  from 
Waterbury  with  him,  much  reduced  in  the  numbers  of  their 
men.  The  captain  and  commanding  othcers  of  these,  accord- 
ing to  a  return  made,  were  Benjamin  Riehard-,  Aaron  Bene- 
dict, John  AV^oodrutf,  Phineas  Castle,  John  Lewis,  Tliomas 
Fenn,  Xathaniel  Barnes,  Josiah  Terrell,  Samuel  Bronson, 
Jesse  Curtis,  Jotham  Curtis,  Joseph  Gamsey,  the  twelve 
companies  having  but  193  men.  Otiier  companies  swelled  the 
whole  number  of  men  to  484. 

Capt.  John  Lewis,  Jr.,  (of  Salem,)  in  pursuance  of  the  or- 
ders of  lieut.  Col.  Baldwin,  complained  to  the  Legislature  of 
his  lieutenant,  Lra  Beebe.  ^  I  mustered,"  Lewis  said,  and 
marched  the  company  under  my  command  to  the  Fishkills, 
where  we  arrived  on  or  about  the  8th  day  of  October  last 
j)ast ;  and  before  I  had  op]»ortunity  to  make  a  regimental  re- 
turn of  my  eoin[)any,  said  Lii  ut,  IVuhe  did  in  fact  come  off 
and  lead  a  hirge  nunil>er  of  my  eonipany  witliout  liberty 
and  contrary  to  my  orders,"  S:c.  Tlie  document  is  dated  at 
AVaterbury,  Jan,  1, 1778,  and  will  be  found  in  the  od  Vol.  of 
Kevolutionary  papers  in  the  State  Library.  Beebe  was  or- 
dered to  pay  the  costs  that  had  arisen. 

There  was  some  difficulty  ab(»ut  the  payment  of  the  10th 
regiment,  in  this  year.   Gen.  Washington  wrote  a  letter,  da- 


Digitized  by  Google 


HISTORY  OF  WATEBBUBY. 


ted  April  7tli,  1777,  to  tlie  governor  of  Connecticut,  declining 
to  \)i\y,  on  account  of  the  great  disproportion  of  ofHcers  to 
soldiers,  tfec.  Tlie  Assembly  desired  the  governor  to  reply  to 
the  letter,  "  and  state  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  that  regi- 
ment and  re<{uest  payment,"  &c. 

Many  from  "Waterlnirv  were  in  the  northern  army  under 
Gen.  Gates,  and  took  part  in  the  movements  and  the  battles 
whieli  terminated  so  glorion>;ly  in  the  capture  of  Burgoyne,  in 
October,  1777.  Lieut.  Michael  lironson,  attached  to  CoL 
Cook's  regiment,  acted  as  adjutant,  and  particularlj  distin- 
guished himself. 

In  November,  1777,  the  Articles  of  Confederation  and 
Perpetual  Union"  were,  after  prolonged  debate,  agreed  on  bj 
Congress.  These  were  to  be  proposed  to  the  several  legislar 
tnres,  approved  by  them,  and  again  ratified  by  their  delegates 
in  Congress,  before  they  went  into  operation.  Before  the  Con- 
necticut Legislature  had  considered  the  subject,  the  town  of  War 
terbury  held  an  adjourned  meeting  **for  the  purpose  of  taking 
into  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation.''  The  Arti- 
cles were  read  one  by  one.  The  first,  second,  third  and 
tourtli  were  approved.  "As  to  the  lil'th  article,  [says  the 
record,]  it  is  the  mind  of  tliis  meetingthat  the  power  of  choos- 
ing di'lcgatts  to  Congress  is  invested  in  the  })eople — on  this 
condition  we  concur."*  The  sixth  and  seventh  articles  were 
approved.  The  eighth  article  was  "  not  satisfactory,"  on  ac- 
count of  "the  method  of  proportioning  the  tax  for  supplying 
the  common  treasury."  "  As  to  the  ninth  article,  where  it 
mentions  the  number  of  land  forces  made  by  requisition  from 
each  state  for  its  quota  in  proportion  to  white  inhabitants  in 
such  state,  we  had  rather  choose  it  should  be  in  jn'oportion  to 
the  number  of  free  subjects  in  each  state."  Tlie  remaining 
articles  were  approved.  "After  going  through  the  whole  of 
said  articles,  [continues  the  record,]  the  whole  was  put  to  vote 
and  passed  in  the  afiSrmative,  excepting  the  above  exceptions 
and  reserves." 

After  the  Declaration  or  Independence  and  its  approval  by 

*  The  fifth  article  provided  that  the  delcfrntes  nhould  MUaalljr  sppolDlcd  iB  WMhaMa* 
ner  »■  the  Leglilature  of  each  i^tnte  shall  directi"  wtth  %  pov«r  rmurtA  to  6Mll  SUM  to  rMaU 
its  member*,  at  »oy  Ume,  kod  send  others. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


845 


this  State,  in  Oct.  1776,  a  law  against  high  treason  was  enact- 
ed and  defined.  At  the  same  time,  an  oath  of  fidelity  to  the 
State  was  prescribed  and  enjoined,  to  be  taken  by  the  free- 
men and  officers  of  the  same.  Ko  person  could  execute  any 
office  after  Jan.  1, 1777,  till  he  liad  taken  the  oath  of  fidelity ; 
and  no  freeman  oonld  vote  for  any  officer  till  he  had  done  the 
same.  This  law  was  repealed  in  December,  bnt  another  was 
enacted  in  Jnne,  1777.  At  the  session  in  Augtist,  the  members 
of  the  Assembly  took  the  prescribetl  oath.  Mr.  Joseph  Hop- 
kins and  Capt.  Ezra  l»rons<ni  wore  the  representatives  from 
"Waterbury.  On  the  lOth  of  Se}>teniber  followiii«;,  (and  after- 
wards,) tbe  oatli  was  administered  to  tlie  freemen  of  Waterbury. 
The  list,  lieaded  by  Rev.  Mark  Leavenworth,  will  be  found  iu 
tlie  be<]^inning  of  the  second  volume  of  town  meetings. 

During  the  severe  winter  of  1777-8,  "Washington  was  en- 
camped with  his  army  at  Valley  Forge,  Pa.  Hunger,  naked- 
ness, disease  and  discontent  come  near  breaking  up  the  army. 
Capt.  David  Smith,  writing  from  the  "  Camp  of  Pennsylva- 
nia," under  date  of  Jan.  18, 1778,  made  a  return  of  the  names 
of  persons  under  his  command,  from  Waterbury.  Tliey  are 
as  follows:  Sylvanns  Adams,  Jolm  Saxton,  Ezekiel  Scott, 
Lue  Smith,  Joseph  Freedom,  Mark  Kichards,  Ezekiel  Upson, 
Joel  Roberts,  Ellsha  Munson,  Elisha  Hickoz,  William  Bassett. 

In  1778,  the  military  companies  of  Waterbniy  were  formed 
into  a  distinct  regiment  by  the  name  of  the  28th  regiment 
The  field  officeiB  were  CoL  Phineas  Porter,  (of  Waterbury,) 
laent.  Ool.  Benjamin  Richards,  (of  Westbury,)  and  liCajor 
Jesse  Onrtis,  (of  Korthbnry.)  In  this  year  and  afterwards, 
Waterbnry  appears  to  have  furnished  its  full  proportion  of 
troops  both  for  the  regular  army  or  "  continental  line,"  and 
for  militia  dutv.  Those  who  remained  at  home  eontributed, 
according  to  their  al)ility,  to  sustain  the  burdens  of  the  war. 
These  burdens  in  the  form  of  regular  taxes,  provision.s,  cloth- 
ing, eamp  e4uii>age,  &c.,  were  heavier,  perliaps,  tlian  were 
ever  before  borne  by  a  numerous  people,  voluntarily.  In  the 
early  part  of  the  war,  the  men  were  so  generally  absent  on 
military  duty  that  there  were  scarcely  any  persons  left  except 
the  aged,  the  in^rm  and  the  women  to  do  the  fann  work — to  put 
in  and  secure  the  crops,  and  take  care  of  the  farm  stock. 


Digitized  by  Google 


346 


BI8T0BY  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


Tliere  was  danger  of  famine,  not  only  in  tlie  army,  but  amoTi*^ 
tlie  pL'Ople  at  lar^e.  The  disordered  condition  of  tlie  ciinvncv, 
coiiiiected  with  large  emissions  of  irredeemable  paper,  made 
(to  keep  up  its  credit)  a  legal  tender,  added  greatly  to  the 
emban-assments  of  the  country.  Labor  was  robbed  of  its  re- 
ward; honesty  and  fair  dealing  were  discouraged.  Indivi<l- 
uals  took  advantage  of  the  necessities  of  the  government  and 
the  general  destniction  of  credit  To  prevent  extortion,  the 
Legblatnre  undertook  the  bnsineBS  of  regulating  the  prices  of 
all  commodities  (including  labor)  bj  statute.  Ihns  the  dif- 
ficulty was  aggravated.  Few,  at  this  time,  have  adequate  con- 
ceptions of  the  distressed  condition  of  our  country  in  those 
dark  and  perilous  days.  Those  who  talk  flippantly  of  our  in- 
stitutions ;  who  disparage  our  government ;  who  speak  lightly 
of  the  blessings  of  union  and  the  advantages  secured  by  the 
Constitution — know  little  of  tlieir  wortli — know  little  of  the 
toil  and  privation,  the  agony  and  the  blood,  which  purchased 
them  ! 

Much  of  the  business  in  town  meetings,  during  the  war, 
was  to  ])rovitle  ways  and  means  for  carrying  on  tlie  conte-t. 
Connnittees  were  appointed  from  year  to  year,  to  furnish  eloili- 
ing  for  the  soldiei-s  and  provide  for  tlieir  families  at  home,  to  col- 
lect provisions  for  the  army,  to  make  tentS)  &c.,  &c  When  arti- 
cles could  not  otherwise  be  obtained,  impressment  was  resorted 
to.  Much  difficulty  was  experienced  in  complying  with  the  de- 
mands of  Congress  and  the  State  for  soldiers.  After  the  first 
enthusiasm  had  subsided,  men  were  reluctant  to  enlist,  partic- 
ularly for  three  years,  or  during  the  war.  To  make  the  pay 
sure,  the  town  guaranteed  the  wages  offered  and  usually  added 
a  considerable  bonus.  Heavy  fines  were  imposed  for  delin- 
quency on  those  who  were  drafted.  Eli  BUdceslee,  Samuel 
How,  Gbcnezer  Bradley,  Jr.,  and  Joseph  Bradley,  were  drtift- 
ed  io  go  to  New  Haven,  but  neglected  to  appear.  They  were 
arraigned  before  the  County  Court  in  April,  1779,  and  fined 
each  £10,  and  costs  amounting  to  £9,  98. 

Of  the  1,500  soldiers  wliieh  the  Assembly  ordered,  in  ^luy, 
1 7 So,  to  be  raised  for  the  continental  armv,  AVaterburv  and 
Waterlown  were  retpiired  to  furnish  20.  At  a  town  nu-eting 
held  in  June,  a  committee,  consisting  of  Capt.  Phiiieas  Castle, 


Digitized  by  Gopgle 


HISTOBT  OF  WAISBBUBT. 


347 


Capt.  Samnol  Bronson,  Capt  Isaac  Bronson,  Jr.,  Air.  Ira  Bee- 
be,  Oapt  Josiah  Terrel,  Capt  Samuel  Upson,  Capt.  Levi 
Gaylord,  Messrs.  Michael  Bronson,  Joseph  Beach,  Jr.,  Street 
Richards,  Timothy  Clark  and  Jade  Hoadley,  was  appointed 
to  hire  Waterbnrj's  proportion  (thirteen)  ''to  inlist  into  the 
continental  army  in  any  company,  battalion  or  reginicut,  as 
they  sliall  choose,  for  tlie  term  of  three  years,  or  dming  the 
war,  and  if  the  men  cannot  be  f>btainiHl  for  so  lonjr  a  term, 
until  the  first  of  January  TU'\t."  At  tlie  same  tiniu,  tlii'  tftwn 
ph^dircd  itself  that  ono  half  <>f  tlie  lionnty  or  \va«ijes  >houl(l  he 
j)ai<l  ill  ])rovisiou  or  clothinir.  :it  tlic  prici-s  sucli  articles  com- 
nionlv  sold  for  in  1774,  and  the  other  liidf  in  h'lwful  nioiit-v, 
or  its  equivalent  in  l)ills  of  credit,  ]>ayai»le  once  a  year,  once 
in  six  months,  or  mice  in  tlnve  months,  as  tiic  committee 
should  agree.  In  July  followin<r,  the  same  committee  was 
directed  "to  engage  ten  other  soldiers,  which  are  now  ordered 
to  be  raised  by  the  governor  and  council  of  safety." 

Tn  November,  17Sf),  AVaterbury  and  Watertown  were  order- 
ed to  provide  14  soldiers  for  the  continental  nnny. 

Early  in  1781,  there  was  a  pressing  demand  for  troops  for 
Horse  Neck.  Waterbory  resolved  to  raise  its  quota,  agreea- 
ble to  the  act  of  the  Assembly  in  November  preceding.  They 
were  to  serve  one  year  from  the  ensuing  first  of  March.  Ben- 
jamin Munson,  James  Porter,  Jr.,  David  Taylor,  Daniel  Alcock, 
Jnde  Hoadley  and  Ebenezer  Porter  were  chosen  a  committee 
to  procure  Waterbnry's  quota.  At  the  same  time,  heavy  taxes 
were  laid,  and  to  facilitate  the  collection,  the  tax-payers  were 
divided  into  several  "classes"  (eighteen)  ami  a  collector  ap- 
pointed for  each.  To  help  out,  tl.ie  selectmen  were  de>ired  to 
make  a  loan,  on  the  town's  credit,  of  a  suiru  ieiit  sum,  in  state 
money,  for  hiring  the  soldiei*s  for  Horse  iSeck.  S(»me  de- 
clined to  pay  the  taxi  ^.  Capt.  Samuel  L'pson  and  others  of 
the  third  class,  in  Faniiingbury,  r(■pre^ented  that  Abraham 
Wooster  refused  to  pay.  liia  tax  was  24s.,  and  he  was  order- 
ed by  town  vote  to  be  assessed  for  double  the  amount,  accord- 
ing to  law.  David  Wooster,  Davi<l  AVelt(»n,  Henry  Grilley, 
Stephen  Scovill  and  Timothy  Scoviil  also  refused,  and  were 
served  in  the  same  way. 

In  March,  1781,  the  town  voted  to  raise  ten  footmen  and 


Digitized  by  Google 


818 


mnOKT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


one  mounted  liorseman  for  Horse  Neck,  accordinpf  to  act  of 
Assembly,  and  engaged  that  tlie  wages  offered  by  the  State 
should  be  punctually  paid  in  silver  at  6b.  8d.  per  ounce,  or  an 
eqiiiTalent  in  bills  of  credit.  And  the  committee,  £11  Bronson 
and  Joseph  Atkins,  Jr.,  was  anthorized  to  pledge  snch  addi- 
tional payment  as  might  be  necessary.  If  said  soldiers  were 
not  obtained  by  the  first  of  April,  (1781,)  the  inhabitants  were 
to  be  divided  into  classes  by  Messrs.  Ashbel  Porter,  John 
Thomson  and  Daniel  Byington,  committee,  according  to  the 
list  of  1780,  each  class  to  provide  for  one  recmit 

In  June,  1781,  John  Welton  was  chosen  agent  to  hire  seven 
soldiers  for  the  continental  army  tor  one  year,  "  on  as  reason- 
able terms  as  ho  can.''  A  rate  was  also  laid  of  four  pence  on 
the  pound,  payable  in  gold  or  silver,  or  good  merchantable 
beef  cattle,  at  the  prices  fixed  by  the  General  Assembly,  for 
the  purpose  of  providing  for  the  continental  army. 

In  July,  1781,  six  soldiei-s  for  continental  service  were  to  be 
furnished  by  Waterbury,  and  C.ipt.  John  Welton,  Dr.  Isaac 
Baldwin,  Charles  Upson,  David  Ilotclikiss,  Isaac  Judd  and 
Eli  Bronson  were  chosen  to'  divide  the  town  into  six  classes, 
each  class  to  provide  one.  Another  tax  was  at  the  same  Umelaid 
of  three  pence  on  a  pound,  payable  in  lawful  silver  money,  or 
provisions,  or  dothing.  December,  one  soldier  was  want- 
ing to  complete  the  town's  qnota  for  Horse  Neck  tower," 
[tonr,]  and  he  was  to  be  provided  by  Stephen  Bronson  and 
others,  committee. 

Feb.  25, 1782,  the  town  passed  a  vote  to  lay  a  tax  of  three 
half  pence  on  the  pound  *'for  the  purpose  of  procnring  seven 
men  for  the  post  of  Horse  Neck  and  western  frontier,  accord- 
ing to  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  passed  in  January 
last,"  to  be  paid  in  cattle,  sheep,  swine  or  grain,  "  according 
to  the  true  value  thereof  in  ready  money."  Joseph  Beach, 
Jr.,  wius  chosen  a  committee  to  procure  them,  he  to  be  allowed 
a  reasonable  reward  for  his  services."*  At  an  adjourned  meet- 
ing, March  11th,  measures  were  taken  to  supply  seven  men, 

able  bodied  and  cU'ectivo,"  for  the  continental  army.  Charles 

*  The  town  someUmes  cootractod  wllh  indlvidaala  to  famish  the  required  loldlen.  In  1780* 
for  Imtaaea.  Bd»  Brouoa  tad  WHUmb  LtftTMiirorlh  wtn  th«  Mslnetont  m  appMn  tttm 
torn  immHtr  la  th*  wtflcaMnt  with  Ihim  this  ywr,  (ITtt^ 


Digitized  by  Google 


HIBTOBT  OF  WA1SRBDBT, 


349 


Upson  and  David  Hotchkiss  were  chosen  a  committee  to  hire 
them.  To  defray  the  expenae,  another  tax  of  three  half  pence 
was  voted,  payable  as  hcfore,  in  cattle,  sheep  or  swine,  or  in 
wheat  at  58.,  rye  at  83.  4d.,  com  at  28. 6d.,  oats  at  Is.  6d. 

In  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  no  peFBon  from  Waterbuiy 
attained  a  higher  rank  in  the  regular  army  than  that  of  major. 
David  Smith  of  Northbnry  continued  an  officer  during  the 
war,  and  for  some  time  before  its  close  held  the  commission 
of  major.  He  was  attached,  in  the  commencement  of  1781, 
to  the  fifUi  re^ment  of  infiintry  of  the  Connecticut  line," 
commanded  by  Lieut  Col.  Isaac  Sherman, 

I  give  below  a  list  of  such  names  as  I  have  obtained  of  those 
persons  from  Waterbury  who  were  engaged  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution.    The  iibt  is  very  incomplete. 


Etluin  Anilru-^-J, 

Daniel  Barnes, 

Lsrael  Calkins, 

Tiiuuthy  Aiidrus8| 

Capt.  Nathaniel  Barnes, 

Ko8wel  Calkins, 

John  Amefl, 

Thaddetu  Barnes,  Jr., 

Bichard  Clark, 

Sunuel  Amet, 

Cftpip  Inao  Bronson, 

Gapt  Phinaaa  Gaatle, 

SvlTanus  Ad«n8| 

Dr.  uaae  Brooaon, 

A      4_    ft  j*an  •  A  A  A 

Aaahel  Chittenten, 

Luko  Adamg, 

Lieut.  Miohad  Kwiioii, 

Amos  Culver, 

iitus  Hronfion, 

vun  capennj, 

Daniel  Allen, 

Rofwell  Bronfon, 

Lieut.  Hiomas  Dutton, 

Josiah  Atkins, 

Asahel  Bronson, 

Lieut.  Titua  Dutton, 

Solomon  Alcook, 

Joaeph  Bronaon, 

Stephen  Davia, 

Daniel  Bronaon, 

Jonathan  Davta, 

John  B.  Akock, 

Eliel  Barker, 

miea  Dunbar, 

Lieut.  Aaron  Bcnedicti 

I^aac  Barker, 

Amos  Dunbar, 

Obed  Blake»ilee, 

Giles  Brocket, 

Jo«'l  Dunhar, 

Eno8  Blakeslee, 
John  Blalnalee, 

Ebeuezcr  Brown, 

Isaac  Dayton, 

ThoowaCole, 

flamnd  Dayton, 

Ahum  Blakoilee, 

John  Cole, 

Nathaniel  Bdwarda, 

Joel  Blakcsloe, 

Tluinias  CliilnuUI, 

EUahaFroat, 

Benjamin  Batos, 

Timothy  Cook, 

Aaron  Fenn, 

Col.  Jonathan  Baldwin, 

Joel  Cook, 

Cupt.  Thoman  Fenn, 

£uH.  TheupUilus  Baldwin, 

Samuel  Cook, 

£Ins.  Betyamiu  Feun, 

Abel  Bddwin, 

William  Cook, 

Cephas  Ford, 

Be^junin  B«ldwin, 

SelahCook, 

Joaeph  Freedom, 

Elihu  Benham, 

Bethel  Camp, 

John  FaUendoB, 

Stephen  Bri.«tor, 

Lieut.  Samuel  Camp, 

Lient.  John  Fulford, 

William  Basset, 

Siiniuel  Camp,  Jr., 

James  Fulford, 

Lieut.  Ira  Beebe, 

Eli  Curtis, 

Israel  Fri.sbie, 

Aner  Bradley, 

Stephen  Curtis, 

David  Foot, 

John  Be«ch, 
TbaddeuB  BomIi, 

Samnal  Cnrtia, 

MoeeaFoot, 

Capt.  J««MG<irtia, 

Bronaon  Foot, 

Cl*rk  Baird, 

Capt.  Jotbam  OnrUa, 

Beqfamin  Gajlord, 

Bex\jMiiin  BftnieSf 

ZadocCortia, 

Jonathan  Oaylord, 

Digitized  by  Google 


350 


BI6T0ST  OF  WATEBBUSY. 


finntlimRTd  (■ftrnsAV 

Kl  1  b)\a  \f  1 1  r  1  A£\  n 

Sprcr  Stpnhon  Spntt 

NatliAiiifil  M  orriflb 

SitS(HS4BraA    Mft^rB  • 

Ansel  Sneneer. 

CftDt.  JoMDh  OuiUAT. 

LevlMsrks. 

Elisha  Sneneer. 

Puul  GriiTirs. 

Philip  Martin, 

Asa  Sawver, 

Sitnoon  ( IrATWL 

Samuel  Mic 

Niitliiin  Seward 

.TllT11f><i  fir^lTlIH^ 

Titu-J  Mix 

^iti'fiii  r'T»       •  f» %'  ill 

I    II  IIMl  11                 «  111^ 

i  *ii  ikf    ^ti^iklii •  11   \f  'tt  l)iP 

1  iiiot 1 1 V  Jvi'i^ vill 

A  JliltJllI  >  ivTvVvlil. 

Jonah  Mftllfirv 

Bttkiftl  fWnlWrd 

Williftm  Hickox.  Jr.. 

JoflfiOh  If  UIL. 

Stfiohfiii  Sfinnciur. 

S>/1^  i#IS%i  mu  m^fy  UAVW  • 

CSknL.  Janiea  Hickoz^ 

Tlmon  Hileflb. 

WilUam  SouthmftTd. 

Josonh  Minor. 

Ezekiel  Tuttle. 

Triiiiian  Ilotrlik 

Aitiiuli  (^-Itorn 

Jaber  Tuttlo 

r  1  ii^ri r>7ikr  T  l  fkt i* ii  w  \  <H 

Timothv  Tiiffle 

Eiia  Timothv  TuitU* 

Cant.  Gideon  HotchklBS. 

Mai.  riuness  Porter. 

Heiekish  Tnttle. 

TimAthv  ITninMtAfli- 

An  ThAVAr 

mmMMUm   A  HOT " t  y 

JTftmAfl  Tfiiiiin^tnn 

Tiipiif  T*t'n(lletnn 

Cant  Jo^iah  TerrelL 

li\  IIIIH   1     1  1  *  '  I  IIV  1 1 1 

Diiiucl  I'l'iidleton 

Tel  mix  til  Ti*rrtf»ll 

1Tn11lii(rw\vf trt li  f linn 

llUlllil^.*^**  yf\  111  llllAvy 

•In rf*n  r  rii* iiiirtl 

•To<»l  T^^i^rroll 

lla~kn  in  ITI  in  1 1 IIIO 
ilC  lljtllillil  11I1JV| 

.IiLi*Oi)  Vorfpll 

vwlVVl  IWIIi^llf 

fSfiOnra  PricliftTd.  Jr 

ThAffnM  Tprrpll 

JIUVUMW  A  vl  1  vU« 

Amftsa.  Pnuiton 

TmmI  TapmIL 

Nathaniel  HaD. 

Jftfifcthftti  PftfdM. 

Taaiii  TemIL 

In  til  AC   I  lull 

i!illllU  1  (..rTvll. 

r^i  i1  r>tiTiTif*r  1 1  nil  niAV 

Viinsnn  T*niwl 

i  1 1 1  a  ni  'Pi  1  t*Ti At" 

W«r«l  IVi  k 

iVillu  lv(.IVf 

X«utrii6*cr  xiiittuivji 

A  iirviiatiitii  pAri^k 

AtVllloIIlllI  L  poUIIf 

WiUiam  H<feAdleT 
f*  uimiii  uvmiwirV| 

Eltel  Parker 

fltpnhpn  YTtMAfffe 

Eliiah  Fkrker 

T  irt  '/1H"1K  T  VOfl 
UllAUl  ll.*^   1  >  V  9. 

Anrnn  T*!irlror 

A>«l«vUIU          til  1 1. 

T>*1  ft  II  t  ll  fl  ri    I  VJtfl 
JlilllUlIIUIl   A  «  1. 

^11t11l1l>l    W  ■•IttftTI 
Oil  III  111  1     11  1  IMMI^ 

ill  it  1  IV   J\      1  111  1  iX9| 

vUliiiVt  i>  <*nni!^ 

Tuini  111*1  .1 11  fill 

OttlUUvi  V  liUU| 

Dmniel  Judd. 

Cant.  Neheniiiih  SieA 

Job  Weltml 

£iiiah  Steele. 

CliantUor  Judd. 

John  Stoddard^ 

SAmiiel  ^VoodruflT 

St*'pli«Mi  Judd, 

•Tolm  Sinitli, 

liUnibrrt  ^V<»i)(l^uf^, 

Hri » \v <tpr  .T 111  1  f  1 

Tu'iMf*  STiiitri 

A#lJi  T**llll        »»     ''It',  Illlll, 

Svi4  tiiiiol  Iv  inilinn 

I^*vi  Sinitli 

Cjinf    .liiliTi  W  ainiiniTi 

^UUVa  wvUU  JuV*tl9|  UI*} 

Allftn  Smith 

AUvl  fr  vmiw&rUy 

Samnel  Rwiitii- 

ThoniM  IKTardm 

Joseph  Lewis, 

Lne  Smith, 

Barthokmiew  IVilUama, 

David  Lewis, 

Haj.  Da%'id  Smith, 

Obadiab  Williams, 

Joel  Linen, 

John  Saxton, 

Philemon  Wiko\. 

Hicliard  I  ^aw  re  nee, 

Samuel  Strickland, 

Stejdu-n  Warner, 

Charles  Merrinmn, 

Ezcktcl  Scott, 

Justus  Warner. 

Thomas  Merchant, 

Uri  Scott, 

Tbomts  Hickoz  (of  Westhory)  and  Esra  Bronson  were  pnrcharing  comndBsaiies ; 
the  first  during  most  of  the  war,  and  the  lost  !n  1782  and  afterwards. 


Digitized  by  Google 


BISTORT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


351 


In  the  very  cominenccmcnt  of  the  war,  tlie  Jiovalists  or 
Tories  of  Watt'riuirv,  hy  tlieir  acts  antl  words,  aroused  tlie 
jeal<»u>y  of  the  AVliigs.  Tliere  was,  at  that  time,  within  tlie 
bounds  of  the  tiret  Bociety,  two  military  companies.  One  of 
these  was  commanded  by  Whigs.  All  the  olhcersof  tlie  other, 
with  the  exception  of  one  sergeant,  were  Tories,  and  took  no 
pains  to  disguise  their  sentiments.  The  General  Court,  as 
early  as  June,  1774,  appointed  a  committee  to  examine  into 
the  facts  and  report.  Thomas  Math  ewson  (Matthews  t)  and 
Timothy  Judd  were  the  committee.  The  next  year,  a  formal 
complaint  was  made  of  their  commanding  officer  to  the  As- 
sembly by  certain  members  of  the  company,  Whigs,  as  follows : 

To  the  Bononblo  General  AMembty,  to  be  holden  at  Kew  HftTen,  on  the  Sd 
Thundaj  of  October,  A.  D.  1776. 

The  memorial  of  the  fubecribers,  inliabitnnt^  of  Weterburj,  within  the  limits 
of  the  military  company  or  train-huiid  under  tlic  command  of  Capt.  Uozekiah 
Itrow II,  hnindly  shnwfth — That  your  niomoriali-ts,  sfn.-ildc  (»f  thf  importance  of 
eupportin^;  theuuturul  and  chartered  rights,  liberties,  privileges*  and  properties  of 
the  inhabitaiite  of  the  American  eoloaies,  and  anxiona  to  find  any  penon  or 
persons  onMendly  to  the  conUnental  method  of  defending  sidd  eolonles,  think 
ourselves  obliged  to  inform  your  Honors  that  tho  said  Brown  is  dUalTected  with, 
and  unfrienilly  to.  the  prcs't-nt  method  advi-.Ml  by  the  Continental  CoDgross,  and 
adopted  bv  \our  Honor-i,  f<»r  the  coiinnon  dcfciu  e  ;  wliich  fully  appears  t)y  the 
fulluwing  uenteuce  prouuuuccd  by  said  Drown,  in  the  hearing  of  sundry  |>eopIe, 

at  sondry  times,  vis :  that  the  Congress  ought  to  be  pnnlslied  for  putting  the 
country  to  so  much  cost  and  charge ;  for  they  did  no  more  good  than  a  parcel  of 
squaws.   And  some  time  in  the  latter  end  of  May  last,  did  say,  that  lie  did  not 

see  the  necessity  of  this  Colony  raising  soldiers,  as  it  was  unnecessary  expense^ 
and  the  Assi'inbly  Inul  no  right  to  do  it ;  and  that  Ho«ton  had  wrongfully  under- 
taken to  quarrel  about  the  tea,  and  we  had  no  hand  in  it ;  and  by  his  justifying 
his  brother  John  Brown  in  exclaiming  against  the  authority  of  this  Colony  for 
raising  men  to  defend  the  Colony ;  and  by  saying  that  our  General  Assembly  was 
as  arbitrary  as  the  pope  of  Bome,  when  they  cashiered  Capt  Amos  Broimm  and 
EM<i;:n  Samuel  Scovill;  by  saying  that  the  Congress,  In  some  of  tho  Articles  of 
tiifir  Association,  was  as  arbitrary  as  ever  they  were  in  Rome.  And  soon  after 
the  battle  of  Lexiii^Moii,  in  April  last,  by  saying  iu  the  time  of  the  alarm,  that  he 
would  not  go  one  step  further  for  the  relief  of  the  people  in  Boston  than  he  was 
obliged  to  go. 

Tberefbre,  your  mmnorialists  would  humbly  obserre,  that  as  sll  military  officers 

in  this  Colony  hold  their  commissions  by  your  Honors*  authority,  solely  for  the 
purpose  of  defending  the  live-",  liberties  and  i)rop(>rfic9  of  the  people,  we  think 
it  is  very  inconsistent  that  any  pers^on  fihoiiM  liuM  a  commission  who  is  in- 
clined to  use  hb  induencc  against  tho  authority  that  granted  it ;  and  very  unsafe 

for  this  Colony  at  the  present  critical  and  important  crias,  and  is  very  grierousto 


Digitized  by  Google 


m 


HI8T0BT  OP  WATBBBUBT. 


Tour  nicinorialists  to  he  umkT  the  command  of  an  oftioor  in  wlioni  wc  cannot  con- 
tide.  Aud  therefore  pray  your  Honors  to  grant  such  relief  as  your  wisdom  and 
Juatiee  thftll  diteet ;  and  we  m  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pr«j.  D«ted  «t  Water- 
bury  (he  8d  day  of  October,  A.  D.  1776. 

[Signed]  Joseph  Beech,  FUneee  Geatle,  Daniel  Bronaon,  Moeea  Cook,  Amos 
Prichard,  Thomas  Bron.son,  Jr.  [Historical  Collections  relating  to  the  War  of 
the  Bevoitttion:  compiled  bj  B.  B,  Hinman,  1842,  p.  M7.] 

A  wammt  was  aerved  upon  Brown  to  appear  and  answer  to 
the  charges ;  but  no  decisive  action  appears  to  have  been  had. 
Afterwards,  however,  at  the  May  session  of  the  Legislature, 
on  information  that  Oapt  Brown  (of  the  12th  company  of  the 
10th  regiment,  then  commanded  by  OoL  James  Wordsworth) 
had  refused  to  obey  certain  orders  given  him  by  Jonathan 
Baldwin,  lient.  colonel  of  the  regiment,  to  detach  men  for  the 
service,  said  Brown  was  ordered  to  be  arrested  and  broiiirlit 
before  the  Assembly  to  answer,  &c.  Col.  Baldwin  and  others 
were  suininoncd  as  witnesses.  After  a  full  hearing,  the  delin- 
quent ollicer  was  cashiered,  made  incapable  of  hidtling  milita- 
ry office,  and  his  company  disbanded.  Soon  after,  or  March 
23,  1777  (?)>  Brown  left  Waterbury,  joined  the  royal  army  in 
Xew  York,  received  a  caj)tain's  commissiou  and  before  long 
(Aug.  27,  1777)  died  among  his  new  friends.  His  real  e8tat6 
was  improved,  and  his  personal  estate  forfeited  and  sold,  for 
the  boneiit  of  the  commonwealth.  After  his  death,  the  real 
estate  was  restored  to  the  widow. 

In  December,  1775,  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut 
.  enacted  laws  to  punish  persons  inimical  to  ^e  rights  and  lib- 
erties of  the  Colony  or  the  united  colonies.  To  supply  the  en- 
emy ("the  ministerial  army  or  navy")  with  provisious,  or 
military  or  naval  stores ;  to  give  them  information ;  to  enlist 
into  their  service  or  to  persuade  others  to  do  so;  to  pilot  or 
assist  their  naval  vessels,  or  to  take  up  arms  against  the  Colo- 
ny or  the  united  colonies,  w^is  punished,  on  conviction  before 
the  Superior  Court,  by  a  forfeiture  of  estate  for  the  use  of  the 
Colony,  and  imprisonment  not  exceeding  three  years.  If  a 
person  spoke  or  wrote  against,  libeled  or  defamed,  the  resolves 
of  Congress  or  the  acts  of  the  Assembly,  he  was  to  be  disarm- 
ed and  disqualified  for  office,  and  be  imprisoned,  disfranchised 
r>r  tilled,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Court,  he  to  give  surety  for 
good  behavior.    If  any  man  sought  the  protection  of  the  ene- 


Digitized  by  Google 


I 


I 


I 


I 


« 

I 


j 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


HfBTOUY  OF  WATEKBLliV. 


353 


my^B  army  or  navy,  or  aided  in  the  execution  of  tbe  ministerial 
measiirei}  against  tlie  colonies,  his  estate  was  to  be  attached  and 
improved  for  the  benefit  of  the  Colony.  The  selectmen  and  com- 
mittee of  inspection  were  authorized  to  cause  any  person,  com- 
plained of  as  inimical  to  the  liberties  of  the  ])eoplc  to  be  brought 
before  them  iiiul  lli^;ll•Im'^l,  if  he  could  not  disprove  the  charfi^e. 
At  the  next  isession,  in  May,  the  okl  colonial  law  afjainst  high 
treason  ^va^  rept-akMl,    vwry  part  and  })aragra]j]i  thereof." 

After  the  dechuati<»n  of  Independence,  tlu;  first  act  that  was 
passed  by  tlie  Lei^islatiii-e  was  one  against  high  treason,  in  which 
the  "State  "  ami  the  "  United  States  of  America  "  took  the  place 
of  "our  Sovreign  Lord  and  King."  Death  was  the  penalty  of 
levying  war  against  the  government,  betraying  it,  furnishing 
its  enemies  with  arms  or  intelligence,  t&c,  &c.  To  attempt  to 
join  the  enemies  of  the  State  or  United  States ;  to  try  to  per- 
suade any  person  to  aid,  assist,  or  comfort  them,  or  to  have 
knowledge  of  persons  doing  the  same  and  concealing  it,  was 
punished  by  fine,  and  imprisonment  not  exceeding  ten  years. 

In  February,  ITS  I,  still  more  stringent  laws,  aimed  at  what 
is  called  freedom  of  speech  and  the  press,"  were  passed.  One 
enacted  that  if  any  person,  being  a  citizen,  should  by  writing 
profess  or  declare  that  the  king  of  Great  Britain  hath  or  of  right 
oun^ht  to  have,  anv  anthoritv  or  dominion  in  or  over  this  State, 
or  the  iidial)itants  thereof,  or  that  he  or  tliey  owe  alh'giance  to 
the  said  king  w  ithin  the  same,"  (See,  lie  shall  he  "jnit  to  death." 
Aiiotlu-r  law  enjicled  that  if  anv  eili/.en  sliall  "i»v  words  orofesg 
or  declare  that  tlie  kinir  <>f  (Treat  Britain  hath  or  of  riirht 
oni^lit  to  have  anv  anthoritv  or  dominion  in  and  «)ver  this 
State,"  tVc,  (the  t>ame  words  are  n^ed  as  in  the  other  law,)  he 
"  bhall  suffer  imprisonment  in  Xewgate  during  thepresent  war." 

Be  it  said,  to  the  credit  of  Connecticut,  that  its  laws  di- 
rected against  the  enemicB  of  the  lievolution  were  less  severe 
than  in  most  of  the  other  States. 

In  tlie  course  of  the  year  ]77B,  after  the  defeat  of  the  Amer- 
ican forces  on  Long  Island,  when  the  British  army  was  lying 
in  and  about  Xew  York,  the  patriot  cause  looking  desperate 
enough,  about  eighty  persons,  Boyalists,  left  Waterbury  witli 
the  intention  of  joining  tlie  enemy.  Some  were  taken  on  the 

way  by  the  Americans,  but  most  of  them  reached  their  desti- 

23 


Digitized  by  Google 


854 


mSIHttV  OP  WATEBBUKT. 


tuition.  They  did  Dot,  bowev'er,  meet  with  the  reception  thej 
expected.  Instead  of  being  welcomed  and  petted,  ther  were 
treated  with  snperciliousnees  and  neglect  The  discipline  of 
the  army  they  found  almost  intolerable,  and  a  tborongh  disgnat 

for  their  new  friends  soon  took  the  place  of  former  admiration. 

Many,  taking  advantage  of  the  j»r«>elamation3  br  Congress  of 
pardon  to  .-iich  as  ^ho^l(l  return  t<»  duty,  deserted  tlie  royal  stan- 
dard, caine  home  and  took  the  oath  <>f  all»'::;aiice  to  the  State. 
A  part  of  these  entered  tlie  Aineriean  -crviee.  Nuni]>ers  died  or 
were  killed  while  still  wit!i  rhe  ]>riti>h  anny.  A  tV  w  served  in 
it  till  the  ch»-e  of  the  war.  ( )f  the  latter  nuniher,  a  part,  after 
peace  was  declared,  -ettled  in  Nova  Seotia.  Others  f  >und  ahome 
in  the  s  -nthorn  ^ta^e-,  while  two  or  three  returned  to  Waterburv. 

Til'  following  list  enihraces  the  names  of  ]>ersons  who  left 
Waterburv  daring  tlie  Revolutionaiy  war,  with  the  intention 
of  joining  the  enemy.  The  list  is  not  complete : 

John  Baxter;  retimied  toWftteriMvy. 

Daniel  Bcnham. 

Ana  Filakt  'Icf  ;  l.-ft  Watorhiiry  D.  c.  t,  177'"..  fa'Ju  r,  Dnvid,  who  pncour- 

aged  him  to  ^o,  if^x*  h-cii  for  the  support  oi  a  tidier  iu  the  American  anuj, 
but  died  before  the  Uix  wtt8  colIect4.*d. 

Jdhn  Blakedce ;  died  on  Long  Icland  while  with  the  Britirii. 

Zealous  Bkkeslee. 

BelaRronson  ;  left  Waterburv  Dec.  IT7C.  lib  personal  eftate  was coufia- 
eated.    He  dietlon  Lou;:  I-la,nd  with  tin-  Hriti-^h. 

David  Rrown.  sen  «>f  Uuniel;  died  with  the  BritLsh  in  New  Yorlt. 
dipt.  ne/«  k!:ili  lirowii.    (S^e  p  U'll.) 
Levi  lirown  ;  died  with  the  Hritish. 

Zera  Brown,  son  of  Oipt.  Hecekiah.  He  went  awaj  with  hie  father  (and 
through  his  inflaence)  in  I776»  and  joined  the  enemy  on  Long  Island.  The  father 

died,  and  the  -on,  "  convinced  of  hi;*  error."  returned  to  Waterburv  and  pave 
himself  up  to  tlie  civil  authority,  lb- wa«  fined  l)y  theSujK'rior  Court  £'.\0,  and  or- 
dered not  to  leave  the  town.  In  17nM,  he  promted  a  petition  for  a  di-i  harL'e— that 
be  might  labor  for  the  support  of  hi^  mottier  in  Watertown,  which  waf*  uol  granted. 

Noidk  Oandee,  or  Cambe ;  estate  confiscated. 

Bamoel  Doolittle.   His  estate  was  confiscated. 

James  Doolittle ;  estate  improTcd  for  the  benefit  of  the  State. 

John  Dowd  ;  j<»ined  the  enemy  at  the  ape  of  15  years;  was  ordered  to  go  south 
and  wa«  then-  taken  prisoner.  He  was  confined  in  poal  15  month.-*  in  Pennsylva- 
nia. His  father,  Jacob,  brought  a  petition  to  the  As>cnibly,  paying  that  his  fon 
was  deduced  away,  and  was  now  willing  to  serve  hu<  country.  lie  desired  that  he 
(the  son)  mipht  hsTc  liberty  to  return  home.  The  request  was  granted,  bonds  to 
be  given  for  good  behaTior. 

Samnel  Dowd. 


I 


Digitized  by  Google 


HUIOBT  OF  VATKRBCBT.  355 


Moses  Dunbar.  He  went  to  the  enemy  and  returned  with  a  captain's  cornmis- 
sion,  to  Northbury.  Against  the  entreaties  of  his  father,  brother.",  wife  an»l  child- 
ren, he  attempted  to  enlist  a  company  of  soMiers,  for  the  enemy '.>^  .-ervice, 
and  was  taken  with  King  George's  commiii^ion  in  bis  pocket.  He  was  convicted 
and  hung  in  Hirllbnl,  Ibreh  19,  Kit.  ThegaUows,  in  a  public  place,  was  kept 
steading  form  long  tbna  m  n  warning  to  oihen. 

Elihu  (Jrilley,  ^  sons  of  Jehiila  ; 

Daniel  Grilley,  \  both  dii  il  with  the  British. 

Dan  Finch  ;  returned  before  the  dose  of  the  war. 

William  Finch. 

Oapt  Abrabam  Hiekox.  He  left  Jan,  10,  1776,  entered  the  British  army ;  was 
offdered  sonth  in  1779,  and  was  finally  killed  in  battle.  He  had  been  a  deputy 
•beriirin  Watetbnrj,  and  his  property  was  improved  for  the  benefit  of  the  State. 

Darius  Hiekox;  returned  and  married  in  Waterbury. 

Joel  Hiekox.  He  went  to  Long  Island  with  his  father,  in  177t'>.  and  on  hi-j  sep- 
aration from  him,  "  made  a  cruise  in  the  boating  service,"  was  taken  prisoner  and 
confined  in  Newgate  during  the  pleasure  of  the  Gonrt,  for  not  pleading  to  the 
intictment,  he  ebdndng  the  right  of  exchange  as  a  British  sntiject.  When  the 
prison  was  broken  open,  he  escaped  to  Long  Idand,  whence  ho  returned  In  ten 

dayr",  having  released  an  American  prisoner.  He  then  brought  a  petition  (from 
which  the  u]»ovc  facts  are  gathered)  to  the  General  Court,  in  which  lie  cMiifc^^cd 
his  error,  and  asked  to  he  releasetl.  He  was  required  to  give  a  bond  of  £15U  lor 
good  bcliavior  and  appearance  at  Court,  he  to  remain  in  Waterbury. 

Beiiben  fficAoz ;  returned  and  then  renoTod  to  Nova  Scotia. 

WiUiani  Hiekox. 

Daniel  Killum ;  died  with  the  British. 
William  Maningirrous  ;  estate  confiscated. 

David  Manvil.  He  with  others,  Jesse  Tuttle  and  Eplia  Warner,  joined  the  en- 
emy on  Long  Island,  served  them  till  Nov.  1777,  and  then  escaped.  They  were 
examined  by  Gen.  Parsons,  and  received  from  him  a  psM  to  return  home.  They 
were  then  committed  to  goal,  but  were  afterwards  suffered  to  go  at  large.  One 
of  them  enlisted  faito  the  Ameriean  serrice.  They  brought  a  petition  to  the  As- 
sembly, in  which  they  adnd  pardon  and  prayed  that  their  furniture  mlglit  he  re- 
stored to  them.  The  request  was  granted,  and  the  officers  who  lield  tlie  ironds  in 
custody  were  authorized  to  return  tlu  in,  n<itwithstanding  their  seizure  and  coo* 
denmation,  the  pctiUoners  paying  the  costs  that  had  arisen. 

MeadMerrelL 

Biebard  Bflles ;  estate  bnproTed  for  the  benefit  of  the  Stete.  He  deeerted  from 
the  British  serrice. 

Heman  Monson  ;  deserted  firom  the  British  service.  A  prosecution  agunst  him 

was  dismissed  Maivh,  1778. 

Daniel  Nichohi ;  died  with  the  Briti.sh. 

Isaac  Nichols ;  died  with  the  British,  in  1779. 

William  Niebois ;  estate  eonflseated.  Ho  went  to  Kotu  Scotb  after  the  war, 
and  there  died. 

Asahel  Parker ;  returned  to  Waterbury. 

Elishii  Tiirker  ;  died  with  the  British  of  small  poX. 

John  Parker ;  died  with  the  British. 


Digitized  by  Google 


3j6 


HISXOBY  OF  WATERBU2T. 


Jobn  Porter. 

Timothy  Portor;  retonied  uid  took  the  oeth  of  fidelity  to  the  Stete. 

Klilm  Piicliurd  ;  dli'.]  with  the  Biitkh. 

Kliph.ilot  rrichurd  of  Northbury;  returned  after  the  war. 

Thomas  Pricliaril ;  <iii>(l  with  the  British. 

Eli  Ruwley  ;  dtiduried  I'roni  the  British. 

EUjah  Soott 

NoahSoott. 

Timothy  ScoTiU;  retomed,  and  enlieted  into  the  American  army. 

Isaac  Shelton ;  returned. 

Williivin  Sijeley ;  returned. 

Jcssc  Tuttle  ;  see  David  MaaTlL 

Aaron  Warner ;  returned. 

David  Warner,  aon  of  Aaron ;  retomed. 

Epha  Warner ;  see  David  Maavll.  He  toolc  the  oath  of  fidelity  in  Dee.  17^7. 

Justus  Warner,  }  brothers  ;  were  taken  on  the  way  and  brough  iMclt.  Justus 


Murk  Wanior,   f  died  in  Liverpool,  .Vpril  16,  1866,  aged  100  yean  and  20  day*. 

Si'tli  Warner  ;  tk- sorted  from  the  Britiiih. 
Ebcu  Way ;  relumed. 

Titufl  Way ;  left  Dec  ^  lilt,  After  the  war  he  went  to  Nova  Sootia. 
Amasa  Welton ;  remained  with  tlie  British  bat  a  riiort  time ;  returned  and  took 

the  oath  of  fidelity. 

Arad  Welton  ;  went  to  the  south  and  there  married. 

Rzekiel  Welton;  estate  confiscated;  returned  atler  the  war  and  removed  to 
Nova  Scotia. 
Noah  Welton. 

Stephen  Welton ;  returned  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  talce  the  oath  of  fiddity. 
Benoni  Welton, )  sons  of  EUakim,  one  died  in  New  Tori^  and  the  other  whilo 

Moses  Welton,  f  serving  in  Bm^goyneVi  army. 

Daniel  Wooster. 

Oliver  Welton.  He  was  convicted  of  trying  to  enlist  Joel  Roberts  into  the  ene- 
wy^s  service.  After  the  war,  as  his  conviction  rested  on  Uoberts*  testimony 
alone,  lie  petitioned  the  Assembly  to  discharge  him  firom  the  exeention.  The 
jprayer  was  granted,  but  afterwards  the  was  reconridered  and  negatived.  The 
jiextyear,  (1786,)  on  petition,  he  had  liberty  to  pay  in  state  securities. 

[In  the  early  part  of  1780,  (Mareh  14th,)  the  house  of  Gapt.  Ebeneaer  Dayton, 

of  New  Haven,  in  the  present  town  of  Bethany,  was  broken  into  and  robbed  in 
the  night,  by  a  party  of  .«even  Royalists,  headed  by  one  Graham  ("  John  Luke, 
•otherwise  called  Alexander  (iraliani ")  of  Long  Island.  Several  of  the  party 
belonged  to  Waterbury,  aud  the  atl'air  made  quite  a  stir.  Dayton  was  a  Wtiig, 
had  lived  on  Long  Island,  and  was  charged  (without  foundation,  it  is  alleged)  witti 
having  been  concerned  in  a  robl>ery  there.  He  was  known  to  have  money  (which 
appeared  to  have  been  the  main  ot^Jeet  of  the  burglars)  and  was  absent  in  Boston  at 
the  time.  N'obody  was  in  the  house  except  Mrs.  Dayton  and  several  children.  Her 
hands  were  tied  and  her  lite  threatened,  if  she  made  the  least  iioin'.  £450 
in  gold  and  silver  were  carried  oil'  and  much  property  destroyed,  the  whole  loss 
being  nearly  £5,000.  After  leaving  the  house,  the  robbers  came  north  ami  were 
.secreted  for  seewral  days,  in  the  houses  of  David  and  Thomas  Wooster  in  Ounn- 


Digitized  by  Gopgle 


HIBTOET  OF  WATBSBUBT. 


857 


town.  Aflenrards  they  lay  hid  in  a  barn  of  Esq.  John  Wooster,  (brother  of  Da- 
rid  anil  Thomas.)  in  (Kford.  Tht-y  finally  Hid,  anil  took  a  boat  at  Strutfonl  for 
Long  Isilaud.  The  pi-ojde  of  Waterbury  an<l  ul  otlu-r  towns  nilHod  and  gave  cha.se. 
The  fugitives,  all  but  one,  were  taken  (sayu  the  Connecticut  Journal  of  the  time)  on 
the  Ubuid,  when  fhej  had  necily  readied  the  Britlah  Unce.  Thej  were  brought 
hack,  ezamfaied  before  Esq.  Hopkins,  tried,  eondemned  and  aent  to  Newgale. 
Several  of  them— ^eaae  Cady,  Noah  Cande,  David  Wooster,  Jr.,  and  Samuel  Doo* 
little  (proliiihly)  were  of  Waterbury.  Henry  Wooster,  Jr.,  ono  of  the  party, 
wan  of  I)t'il>y.  Doolitllo,  18  years  of  age,  was  se!it«'in.i'(l  (or  your  M-ari^,  and  wan 
to  pay  a  liue  of  £50  and  costs.  He  petitioned  for  a  commutation  of  puni«huient, 
on  the  gronnd  that  he  waa  young,  and  waa  *'sed«eed  **  bj  Qrabam.  His  prayer 
waa  not  granted.  Darid  Wooster,  Ben.,  was  fined  £600,  the  amount  of  hia  entire 
property.  The  prisoneni,  witli  othen<,  finally  (May,  1781)  broke  goal  and  escaped. 
A  prison  sentry  was  killed.  David  Wooster,  Jr.,  (who  held  a  musket  to  Mrs. 
Dayton's  head,  threatening  her  life.)  was  taken  and  confined  in  Hartford  goal.  He 
brought  a  petition  for  a  release,  in  which  he  asked  pardon,  pleaded  hia  youth, 
(being  at  the  time  of  the  robbery  but  17  years  of  age,)  claimed  that  he  waaae* 
dnoed  by  Graham,  and  ofliered  to  enlist  into  the  army.  He  was  released  on  £1 50 
bond,  and  permitted  to  Uve  in  some  town  on  the  east  side  of  Connecticut  Biver. 
Afterwards,  he  was  releaned  from  his  bond,  and  allowed  to  reside  west  of  the 
river,  (with  a  permit  from  Gen.  Spenoer,)  when  he  returned  home.  He  died  a 
few  jears  ago.  J 

The  main  east  and  west  road  tlirongh  the  town  of  Water- 
bury, cominunicating  with  Hartford  and  Middletown  east- 
ward, and  with  Fi^hkill  and  the  Hudson  river,  by  way  of 
Breakneck  Hill  in  Middlebury,  westward,  was  nuicli  nse<l  in 
the  Revolutionary  war,  (as  it  had  been  in  previous  wars,)  for 
the  passai^e  of  troops  and  the  transportation  of  btores.*  It  was 
the  most  siiuthern  of  tlie  traveled  roads,  at  a  safe  distance 
from  the  sea,  (the  sea  was  in  possession  of  the  enemy,)  wliicli 
connected  New  Enghmd  witli  the  west  and  soutli.  Teams  for 
carrying  goods  and  su|>j»lies  ran  frequently  and  regularly  to 
and  from  Fishkill.  In  the  fall  of  1777,  after  the  capture  of 
Burgojne,  a  detachment  of  the  American  army  with  the 

•  In  Jul  J,  1780,  th*  town  dlTMlsd  tiM  irtactiQWi  to  paUttoa  tks  e«B««l  AwwiMy  >*  to  make 
provision  for  coat  arbUif  br  Midltn  whaa  tkk  OD  tlieread  to  and  flroai  the  anar,  bclongtaif  to 
thto  8ut«." 

Bouill  pox  prevailed  extensively  in  the  American  army  and  waa  communicated  to  the  Wa« 
terbary  people.  On  Account  of  levmil  desthi  from  the  dleeaae,  a  town  mectiag  waa  eaUcd  to 
March,  IT78,  to  consider  the  expediency  of  InortiUtlon.  Lit»erty  to  inoculste,  under  certain 
reetrictions,  was  granted  in  September.  A  lilic  liberty  was  fiven  in  Feb.  I'.Sl,  to  all  tlie  malea 
•f  the  town  over  ten  yean  of  afa,  aad  to  all  paopto  lIvtogoD  the  eoatlacBtal  <«r  mate  «aal  aad 
west)  road,  till  the  80th  of  March  then  ensuinfr.  Afterwards,  April,  1784,  permlwlon  w n  ph  en 
to  I  If.  Ab«l  Bronaon  to  erect  a  building  and  practice  Inoculation  for  small  pox.  He  availed 
htaHdr  «r  lha  pclTllcfe,  aad  MtaUMMd  a  peat  boaM  to  Mtddlebarj,  vlileh  baeaaM  aomtwhat 


Digitized  by  Google 


358 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATERBVBT. 


enemy's  splendid  train  of  artillery  passed  over  this  road  to  tlie 
eastward.  Tlicy  pitclied  their  tents  and  encamped  for  a  night 
in  Manhan  Meadow,  just  above  the  bridge.  Many  people 
visited  tlie  ground  to  see  the  beautiful  brass  field  pieces,  all 
ranged  in  a  line. 

Gen.  La  Fajette,  once  during  the  war,  perhaps  more  than 
once,  passed  through  Waterbuij.  He,  at  one  time,  attended 
only  by  his  aids,  lodged  at  the  house  of  Capt  Isaac  Bronson, 
at  Breakneck,  who  then  kept  tavern.  The  host  introduced 
him  to  his  best  chamber,  in  which  was  his  best  bed.  Bnt  La 
Fayette  caused  the  foatlier  bed  to  be  removed,  saying  straw 
for  the  soklier;"  and  made  tlie  straw  underbed  his  couch  for 
the  night.  He  also,  on  one  occasion,  8to2)ped  at  the  house  of 
Esq.  (Jose|)li)  Hopkins,  then  tlie  most  pruiiiiiient  civilian  in 
the  place.  lie  is  described  .as  a  slender,  handsoine  youtli,  who 
sat  a  horse  beautifully,  and  altogether  made  a  line  apjiearanco. 
I  am  unable  to  say  whether  or  not  his  visits  at  Isaac  Bronsoii's 
and  Esq.  Hopkins'  occurred  in  the  same  journey.  In  the  8um> 
mer  of  1778,  La  Fayette  was  detached  by  Washington  from 
the  continental  army  near  New  York  to  go  to  lUiode  Island 
to  assist  to  expel  the  British  from  Newport.  The  enterprise 
failed,  and  in  the  fall.  La  Fayette  returned  to  the  Hudson  river, 
met  Washington  at  Fishkill,  and  soon  sailed  for  Europe.  In 
these  journeys  to  and  from  Bhode  Island,  it  would  have  been 
most  natural  for  him  to  pass  by  way  of  Fishldll|  Waterbury, 
Middletown,  &c. 

Gen.  Washington  passed  through  Waterbury,  certainly  once, 
on  his  way  to  Hartford.  He  had  with  him  Gen.  Knox  and  a 
somewhat  numerous  escort.  He  rode  a  chestnut  colored  horse, 
came  across  Breakneck,  and  returned  the  salutations  of  the 
boys  bv  the  road  side.  His  dignity  of  manner,  set  olf  bv  his 
renown,  made  a  durable  impression  on  all  wlio  beheld  liim. 
He  (lined  with  Esq.  Hopkins,  whose  house  stood  on  the  site  of 
S.  M.  Buckingliam's  dwelUnjj:.  An  anecdote  is  told  of  him 
which  mav  be  true,  thoujxh  it  conflicts  somewhat  with  the  well 
known  benevolence  of  his  character.  Mr.  Hopkins  made 
many  inquiries,  and  at  last  became  decidedly  inquisitive. 
After  reflecting  a  little  on  his  last  question,  Washington  said — 


Digitized  by 


HI810BT  OF  WATSBBUBT. 


859 


''Mr.  Hopkins,  can  you  keep  a  seeret?" — ^''I  can."— "So  can 
V  the  General  instantly  replied. 

This  visit  of  Washington  to  Waterbniy  mnst  have  occurred 
while  on  one  of  his  journeys  to  Hartford  to  consult  with 
Count  Bochambeau  and  the  French  officers  concerning 
the  conduct  of  the  war.  These  consultations  occurred,  the 
first,  late  in  Septemlwr,  1780,  and  the  other,  late  in  May, 
1781.  It  is  supposed  to  have  bct'ii  in  Septcnibor,  17S0,  that 
"the  father  of  his  country"  was  in  Waterbury;  but  it  may  have 
been  in  May,  '81.  Pos.sibly  he  was  here  at  both  times;  for  it 
is  alledged  that  he  ptissed  through  Waterbury  at  least  twice. 
Perhaps  he  took  our  town  on  liis  way  to  and  from  Xewjiort  in 
March,  1781.  On  tlie  sixteenth  of  that  month  lie  was  in 
Hartford,  on  liis  return  to  the  army.  In  the  summer  of  1778, 
Washington  hiy  on  the  Hudson  Hivcr,  wliile  Sullivan  was  in 
Bhode  Island,  as  already  suggested.  Waterbury  was  in  the 
line  of  commnnication. 

I  haye  thus  indicated  the  different  times  when  Washington 
may  have  found  it  convenient  to  pass  through  Waterbury, 
without  intending,  positively,  to  affirm  that  he  visited  the 
town  more  than  once. 

In  the  latter  part  of  June,  1781,  the  French  army  under 
Count  Bochambeau,  in  their  march  from  Newport  westward 
and  south  to  join  Washington  in  his  operations  againstComwal- 
lis  in  Yiiginia,  passed  through  Waterbury.  They  are  said  to 
have  marched  in  four  divisions,  and  to  have  encamped,  for  a 
night,  just  over  the  mountain  in  Southington,  at  a  place  since 
called  French  Hill.  After  the  surrender  of  Comwallis,  or  in 
October,  1782,  they  returned  by  the  same  route,  in  two  divis- 
ions, (probably,)  in  order  to  embark  for  the  West  Indies.  An 
old  inhabitant  savs  thev  marched  two  and  two,  and  when  the 
head  of  the  column  hud  disajjpearcd  beyond  the  hill  at  Ca}>t. 
Genr«re  Xichols*,  tlie  other  extremity  had  not  come  in  sight  on 
West  Side  Hill.  The  Middle! airy  people  say  that,  at  both 
times,  they  encamped  on  Breakneck  Hill,  making  Isaac 
Bronsoii's  lunise  head  quarters.  On  one  of  these  occasions, 
probably  the  last,  they  stayed  over  one  day  to  wash,  bake,  «fec. 
All  tlie  wells  in  the  neighborhood  were  drawn  dry,  and  the 


Digitized  by  Google 


860 


mmXT  OF  WATBBBURT. 


people,  far  and  near,  were  employed,  wiUi  their  teams,  to  cart 
water  from  Hop  Brook.* 

[The  following  item s  relaling  lo  the  liuvulutiouur^'  jM>riod  may  as  well  porliApa 
be  Introduced  Iicrc.] 

April,  1777.  An  order  on  Lhuus  DooUtUe,  for  6Sfi  Ibt.  of  powder,  wa.s  given  to 
the  idectmen  of  Waterlniry  by  the  council  of  nfety. — [ESnman^s  Rev.  War* 
p.  436.] 

Of  the  militia  which  the  General  A«soiiihIr,  in  May,  1779,  ordered  to  be 
raised  immediatelv,  Watcrburv  wa.«  to  turnish  ten. 

At  the  October  session  of  the  same  year,  the  AssJeniUly  resolved  to  raise  wheat 
and  rye  or  meslin  for  the  armr,  and  a.4signed  to  Waterbury,  aa  its  proportion, 
960  bnsbelB  of  wheat  and  900  buihda  of  rye  or  mealin. 

In  1780,  Abner  Johnson,  apothecary,  uked  of  the  Legialatnre  liberty  to  trans> 
port  to  Boetcm  one  ton  of  wheat  flour  and  three  barrcUi  of  pork,  w  hich  he  wished 
to  exehnnfre  for  mptlii-ino  thiit  could  nnt  be  otherwise  obtained.  Tiie  reqiu'-t  wafl 
not  t^riiiiteti.    [In  order  to  inerea.xe  the  5U])ply  at  home,  the  carrying  of  proTis* 


iou«  out  of  the  State  waa  forbidden  by  law.  J 

Statu  or  Cox.nkcticct  to  A\  atertown  Select  Men,  Dr. 

To  sundry  provisions,  iic,  furnished  tiie  men  under  the  command  of  Lieut.- 
CoL  Hicharda  ordered  for  the  relief  of  West  Point,  viz : 

£   8.  d. 

To  707  Ihfl.  wheat  flour,  @  3d.   8  16  9 

To  614  lbs.  ealt  pork,  @  Is  26  U  0 

To  1  pork  barrel   7  0 

To  2  large  flour  barrels   10  o 

86  7  9 

To  eomndsBion,  @  6  pb  e.   1  16  4 

To  i  men  and  horses  to  bring  tents,  fto.,  from  Waterbury   4  O 


To  2  teams,  4  cattle  each,  to  transport  the  above  provision.s,  tentn, 

Ac.,  to  Bidgeiicld,  being  forty  mile«  @  2b,  6d.  per  mile  each  ..   lo   4  0 

Lawfiil  money  X47  7  0 
^[Rerolntioiiary  Papers,  Vol  XVH.] 

The  names  of  forty-six  soldiers  who  had  been  in  the  army  previous  to  Jan.  1, 
1780,  are  given,  [Bevoltttionary  Papers,  Vol.  XXX,]  whose  fimrilies  reodTed  supplies 
from  the  town. 

The  names  of  twenty-one  pennons  are  mentioned  whose  families  received  supplies 
in  1780.  Eleven  of  them  wore  of  Waft^rtown.  (\slnt  li  included  Northbury  till  1796.) 

In  May,  1781,  Watertown  was  called  on  tor  twelve  men  for  Horse  Neck. 

In  the  same  year,  the  names  of  ten  soldiers  are  given  whoi$e  families  received 
suppUes  from  the  town,  five  of  whom  were  of  Watertown. 

Feb.  21,  1781.  Whereas  the  officers  and  soldiers  employed  in  the  defense  of 


Mtnnscrlpt  lelter  from  !)»•»  L.-orinn!  Itronfon. 
Cothreo  aecms  to  have  falk-u  into  error  lu  supposing  that  La  Fayette  coauiiaDdcd  the  French 
arair> 


Digitized  by  Google 


HIBTORT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


861 


thifl  and  the  United  States  have  suffered  much  hy  wimt  of  the  article  ofsauce,  so 
necessnry  for  thoir  Iioaltli  and  cotufort,  which  inconTeideiict  GMinot  be  remedied 
except  by  the  exertions  of  the  people  : 

Therefore  resolved  [by  the  Ajwembly]  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  inhabit- 
■ata  of  the  eeTond  towne  In  thie  State,  that  thejr  remember  thdr  brethren  in  the 
field,  and  endeavor  ^e  next  aeason  to  raiae  a  qnanthj  of  peaa  and  beans,  antt- 
cient  to  ^^upply  the  officers  and  aoWaca  la  pnbtio  senrloe  belonging  to  tlda  State, 
for  which  they  ttliall  receive  a  penerous  reward. 

And  the  several  printer;*  in  this  SUite  are  rcquctited  to  publitfh  this  resolve.— 
[Connecticut  Courant,  March  27,  1781.J 

Jan.  119%  Waterburj  waa  ordered  to  provide  foor  ibotnen  and  one  horaeman 
for  the  continental  army,  and  Watertovn  five  footmen  and  one  bonemaa. 

1782.  The  following  persons  were  returned  as  deserter*  hj  CoL  Elisha  Shel- 
don, viz  :  liichiird  I>awrenoe  of  Waterbury  and  Jared  Humaaton  and  James  Ful* 

ford  of  Watertown. 

April  12,  1784,  the  town  appointed  Aaron  Benedict,  Mr.  Prichard  and  Samuel 
Bronaon  a  committee  **to  exandao  three  five  pound  notoH  given  by  Osiae  Cyrus 
and  Zibe  Norton  to  the  treaavrer  for  a  fine  for  not  performiqg  a  tower  of  duty 
when  draughted,  and  to  settle  with  them  and  the  treaswer." 

At  the  same  meeting,  the  town  directed  "the  selectmoi  to  dispose  of  the 
pots,  tentu,  camp  eqnipajre,  4c.,  belonpinp  to  the  town." 

Sept.  25,  178.3,  the  town  chose  Messrs.  Aaron  Benedict,  Aniirow  Culver,  ('apt. 
Sanniel  Upson  and  Capt.  John  Welton  delegates  to  a  convention  to  be  held  at 
Hiddletown  the  SOth  of  September,  then  fautaat,  **  to  obtidn  a  redreia  of  grievan- 
eea  on  aeeonnt  of  the  commutation  of  five  years  half  pay  granted  to  the  ofllcers  of 
the  continental  army  in  Hen  of  half  pay  for  life." 


CHAPTER  XXIL 

AfTSR  THB  WAR:  mSCBLLANEOCS  ITEMS. 

Thb  Burrender  of  Corawallis  at  Yorktowo,  in  Oct.  1781, 
Tirtnally  elofled  tLe  var ;  but  peace  was  not  final]  j  proclaimed 
till  April,  1783.  The  country  came  out  of  the  conflict  thor- 
oiifjlily  exbansted.  Waterbury  was  poorer  than  ever.  Din  ing 
the  struggle,  Westbnry  and  North buiy,  its  richest  jxirtions, 
had  been  made  into  a  new  town.  Tlie  poverty  of  her  agricul- 
ture promibed  a  slow  and  uncertain  recovery.   Old  people  tell, 


Digitized  by  Google 


362 


HISTORY  OF  WATBBBDBY, 


ortiBed  to  tell,  a  sad  tale  of  those  days.  In  1774,  the  population 
(»f  the  whole  town  was  3,526  and  its  grand  list  £39,8-2(;,  ISs. 
In  1779,  the  gruiul  lists  of  the  difterent  societies  stood,  accord- 
ing to  my  notes  taken  from  the  State  papers  in  liartf-'nl,  as 
follows,  viz:  Waterbury,  £12,181,  178.,  6d.  ;  We>tl)ury, 
£13,427,  10s.  9d.  ;  Xorthhury,  £10,070,  15s.  lOd. ;  Farming- 
bury,  £2,862,  128.  6d,;  Salem,  £6,667,  128.  3d.  Total, 
£44,200,  88.  lOd. 

This  last  sum,  in  consequence,  perliaps,  of  abatements  not 
being  deducted  and  the  whole  of  Farmingbury  being  included, 
exceeds  veiy  oonfiiderably  the  amount  regularly  returned  for 
the  entire  town  in  that  year,  which  is  £88,504, 186.  9id. 

In  1790,  the  population  of  Waterbury  was  2,937  and  of 
Watertown  8,170,  in  the  whole  6,107;  an  increase  of  78  per 
cent  since  1774,  the  greatest  part  of  it  probably  in  Water- 
town.  The  grand  list  of  Waterbury,  in  this  year,  stood  as  fol- 
lows, Tiz:  first  society,  £12,093,  12s.  lOd. ;  Farmingbury, 
£2,401,  36.  9d. ;  Salem*,  £5,302,  38.  6d.  Total,  £19,797,  Os. 
Id.,  about  the  same  as  in  1782,  but  £3,000  more  than  in  1788. 

In  1800  the  poi>ulation  of  Waterbury  had  l  Uen  tu  3,25(>, 
notwithstanding  several  hundred  peojde  had  been  lost  when 
Wolcott  and  Oxford  were  incorporated.  AV^atertown  contain- 
ed, at  this  time,  1,015  souls  and  Plymouth  1,791 ;  tngctlier, 
3,40G.  The  three  towns  nund)ered  C,CGii,  to  which  an  impor- 
tant addition  should  be  made  of  those  set  otf  with  AVolcott  and 
Oxford.  There  must  have  been,  in  1800,  within  the  limits  of 
original  Waterbury,  over  7,000  persons. 

There  is  to  be  found  among  the  papers  in  the  town  clerk's 
office  a  series  of  taxable  lists  of  the  first  socie^  of  Waterbury 
and  of  Salem  society,  commencing  in  1782,  from  which  much 
instruction  may  be  gathered.  I  will  giTe  some  extracts  from 
the  list  of  the  first  society,  (which  then  included  present  Wa- 
terbury and  those  parts  of  Middlebury  and  Prospect  which 
belonged  to  the  old  town,)  bearing  date  Aug.  20, 1783,  the 
first  year  after  the  peace.  Here  is  the  summary  of  polls  and 
estate.  The  items  were  put  in  at  a  fixed  rate  regulated  by 
statute. 


Digitized  by  Google 


flISTOBT  OF  WAISSBDBT* 


863 


Polls — above 

21  jean, 

No. 

189 

at 

£18 

£8,402 

008.  OOd. 

**  under 

(1 

M 

M 

It 

9 

486 

uo 

00 

Xeat  Cattle — Oxen, 

M 

237 

It 

948 

00 

00 

u 

Gowi  and  3  jear  <dda, 

W 

616 

It 

1,648 

AA 

00 

AA 

00 

4« 

Syear  olda, 

169 

It 

818 

00 

aa 

00 

U 

1  year  old.-*, 

i  i 

198 

ti 

198 

00 

AA 

00 

Hones — 3  yo 

iir  i)\ih  and  upwards, 

270 

tt 

810 

00 

00 

2  vo 

iir  oUh, 

It 

14 

ti 

'28 

(H) 

00 

**      1  year  oldd, 

M 

14 

tt 

14 

00 

00 

Swine, 

«i 

AAA 

868 

tt 

868 

00 

00 

HonMi,* 

• 

It 

186 

"Price," 

124 

19 

07 

Incloaed  land  plowgii  land,  men 

1860i 

at 

lOi., 

926 

06 

00 

«t 

upland  meadow 

and  pasture,  " 

it 

li 

8 

970 

6 

05? 

•i 

lowland,  ** 

4t 

tt 

7a.  6d. 

lyj 

on 

09 

u 

bog-meadow,  ** 

•t 

tt 

£6 

13 

12 

06 

u 

bu8h-pa«ture, 

u 

It 

2 

293 

07 

00 

UnindoMd  kad— lH  nUe, 

tt 

2221 A 

It 

2 

222  08  09f 

u 

2d  " 

tt 

8141 

It 

1 

167 

01 

00 

(t 

8d   "  " 

tt 

12711 

It 

6d. 

81 

16 

10* 

Cloclu,  fte.— 

i«teel  and  bra.»)»- 

w  heeled  cloulu, 

tt 

4 

It 

X8 

12 

00 

00 

It 

wooden  clock, 

tt 

1 

tt 

1 

1 

10 

00 

It 

watches, 

tt 

1 

It 

1 

108.  10 

10 

00 

M 

riding  chidr. 

tt 

1 

tt 

8 

8 

00 

00 

**       aOTor  plate,  20  ounces  and  10  pennyweights, 

[''«t6p.e.  OBthejustTaluetbereoC]  8  02  00 

Money  on  interest,  £88  at  6  p.  e.  2  00  00 


Total,     £11,076  02  oiy;^ 
In  doDatu,  at  |S  88|  to  the  pound,  $86,917  02.f 


*  **ladi  dwcUlDg  hoiue  in  food  repair  [wm  MMMcd]  at  flftceo  •tiUUogt  for  aaab  flrcplaca 
IhcTilD,'*  and  the  Itotcrt  might  **  abata  fbr  «M  and  dcea j«d  boofcs  oat  qaartsr,  m«  half,  or  three 

quarter*  of  tJic  num  Rforc-aul,"  .tc. 

t  It  majr  b«  iotereaUag  to  compare  the  above  flguree  with  the  foUowlng,  ae  publiikbcdin  the 
Watartmijr  AmrleaD: 


Lisr  or  Vous  abd  Tazaau  Paoraaw  nr  na  Ttowa  «v  WAmaaar,  aanau  ar  Law  oii 

na  mar  Dat  or  00T0Bia,ltU. 

HOT  1-2  DwclHng  Ilounen,  |1,192,854  OO 

14,111  8-4  Acres  of  Land,   880,189  00 

99  M  Stores   9l,9e9«0 

89  Mills  and  Ifanufactoriei,   89,015  00 

858  Uonee  and  Mulee,   88^19  00 

l,l»ltealOalflo,   98,9 IS  00 

Sheep,  SwInc  and  Pnu'trv   1«(  00 

Ooachca,  Carriages  and  Pleaaare  VVafooa,   litfiOi  00 

VanolBf  Vlcoelli,    9990 

Clock*.  Watchee  and  Isvaby,   N^nS  90 

Piano  rorlea,    UM91  99 

ranriliira  aad  Lttrttrles,   OyBQO  09 

Baak  and  lasaraaeo  Stoek,     19B^T9i  99 


Digitized  by  Google 


361  HISTOKT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 

Tlio  polls  of  all  male  persons  between  the  ages  of  sixteen 
and  seventy*  were  placed  in  the  list,  except  ministers  of  the 
GrOBpel,  professors  and  tutora  of  colleges,  constant  school -mas- 
ters, students  at  college,  persons  disabled  by  sickness  or  other 
infirmity',  &o.  The  estates  of  ministers  lying  in  their  own 
society  were  exempted,  and  the  polls  of  all  the  memben  of 
their  families.  In  the  list  from  which  the  summary  is  taken 
there  are  in  all,  294  names,  indudbg  10  of  femides,  41  of  non- 
residents, and  53  of  residents,  whose  polls  are*  not  entered. 
Add  the  53  non-taxable,  to  the  189  £18  }  <  lis,  and  we  have  a 
total  of  242  males  above  21  years  of  age,  all  of  whom,  except 
Moses  Frost,  Bichard  Nichols,  Jr.,  Selden  Scovill  and  Eben 
W.  Jndd,  had  taxable  estate.  The  names  of  those  who  had 
the  largest  lists,  are  : 


Timothy  Clark,  £167,  8a.  Od.  Stephen  Irefl,  £100,   Ss.  Od. 

Jofleph  Hopkina,  156,11  8  George  Nlchob,  98,    9  0 

Wid.  Abigail  Ounn,  148,   4  6  David  Bron!«on,  98,    6  o 

John  Welton,  135,  17  6  Nathaniel  Richardson,     96,  4  0 

Seba  Bronson,  131,  7  6  John  Tbompaon,  92,  11  6 

AinatSeott,  124,  7  0  Biehtrd  Weltoo,  M,  4  0 

JonathAik  Btldirin,  111,  16  S  baao  Bronson,  Jr.,  98,  8  0 

Stephen  Bronaott,  109,   8  8  James  Bronson,  91,  6  6 

Benjamin  Upson,  106,   8  6  Abralmra  Ilotchkias,  90,  19  0 

Aaron  Benedict,  102,  18  6  Phincas  Porter,  86,  5  0 


Manoracturlng  Stock,   fS,S05.849  00 

8UteMid«llMr8loeto,   «30  uo 

Railroad  and  other  Bond   9'.90  00 

Amount  employed  in  Trade  and  Herchandisiof ,   140,678  00 

AflMNuit  wBiilayad  In  VidiMilMd  tad  MaoafMtvl^                 ....  lU^tB 

Inv>-<<tmont  In  Vessels  aad  OooHDeree,  800  00 

Money  at  lotercft,  •   1S0,886  00 

onDepMlt   IMMW 

All  other  TaxnWe  Property,  2.050  00 

AddtUonaby  ttoardofReUef,   00 

AlKNint,  |4>^.0M  00 

IMacliBaaMedMM,Ac.,  MtjOHl 

Aanmnt  of  Assessment  at  8  per  ecat,  ]3.'>,6S1  26 

mS  Polls  at  ten  dollars  each,  K.TdO  OO 

Taxable  amonnt  for  18M,  158,851  SA 

TM  unitary  subJecU  at  90  cenU  each,  361  00 


*  0a«  of  ttM  great  prlnciplea  for  which  onr  father*  contended  In  the  var  vUdi  kad  |art 
ciood.  wn«  tbst  taxntiAn  and repwwDtation ahcald  gatofatlMr;  aadyat,  th«j  tandadaan, 

as  tiiey  always  had  done. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HUIOBT  or  WATBBBUBT. 


865 


Ezra  Hull,  £86,  88.  Od. 
ThoiiiuH  RichArdsoa,  2  6 

Eli  Uroueon,  86,    1  6 

Benjaiutn  Bine,  85»  19  0 


Jain<'8  Porter,  Jr., 
Saiiuiel  lirunson, 
Dttvid  Clark, 
Pkineas  Cutle, 


£85,    88.  Od. 
84,  10  U 
79,  12  6 
78,   2  0 


Joseph  Beach,  Jr.,        85,  U  0 

Of  the  acres  of  land  listed,  Joseph  Hopkins  owned  the 
greatest  namber,  443  standing  against  his  name.  Boger 
Friohard  owned  349,  Seba  Bronson  340,  Stephen  Bronson  238, 
Jonathan  Baldwin  217,  Wid.  Abigail  Gnnn  313,  John  Welton 
200,  Timothy  Clark  196,  Aaron  Benedict  168,  Amos  Scott  163, 
Stephen  Ives  163,  Benj.  Upson  119.  Of  inclosed  lands,  lioger 
Prichard  had  172  acres,  Seba  Bronson  150,  Wid.  Gunn  148, 
Joseph  Hopkins  144,  John  Welton  122,  Jonathan  Baldwin 
114,  Stephen  Bronson  110,  Timothy  Clark  96,  Aaron  Bene- 
dict 88,  Amos  Scott  73,  Benjamin  Upson  69.  Of  the  Ist  and 
2d  quality  of  inclosed  land,  Joseph  Hopkins  had  91  acres,  Seba 
Bronson  90,  John  Welton  81,  Wid.  Gunn  74,  Timothy  Clark 
72,  Roger  Prichard  6(»,  Stephen  Bronson  5iJj,  Auios  Scott  j(>. 
Of  the  Ist  quality  of  land,  Seba  Bronson  seems  to  have  had 
the  greatest  number  of  acres,  and  the  most  valuable  farm.  He 
had  80  acres  of  first  quality  land,  John  Welton  40,  Boger 
Prichard  34,  Benjamin  Upson  30,  Timothy  Clark  26,  Joseph 
Hopkins  35.  Of  nninclosed  land,  Joseph  Hopkins  had  398 
acres,  Lemuel  Nichols  had  160,  Stephen  Bronson  133,  Ste- 
phen Ives  120,  Jonathan  Baldwin  103. 

Kow  let  ns  look  at  the  luxuries  which  our  fathers  enjoyed. 
There  are,  in  the  list  of  which  I  have  been  speaking,  four 
steel  and  brass  clocks.  These  were  owned  by  Jonathan  Bald- 
win, Joseph  Beach,  Jr.,  Wid.  Abigail  Gunn  and  Joseph  Hop- 
kins, (who  was  a  watch-maker.)  There  are  also  seven  watches, 
(silver,)  and  these  were  the  property  (much  valued  doubtless) 
of  Ezra  Bronson,  Dr.  Abel  Bronson,  Wid.  Abigail  Gunn,  J(.>- 
seph  Hopkins,  Stephen  Ives,  Abner  Johnson  and  Epliraim 
Warner.  The  column  for  wooden  clocks  is  blank  except  in  a 
single  instance.  Ear  down,  against  the  name  of  Benjamin 
Upson,  the  space  is  tilled  by  1."  This  rare  piece  of  mech- 
anism was  originally  the  property  of  Thomas  Clark,  (2d.)  It 
was  bought  by  Mrs.  Clark  for  their  convenience  in  keeping 
tavern,  as  early  as  1772,  and  cost  about  $20.  It  was  made  by 


Digitized  by  Google 


366 


HISTOKY  OF  WATEBBUBY. 


Solomon  Crittenden  of  Kent.  Abraham  Truck  of  Waterbnry 
made  the  case.  It  is  thought  to  have  been  the  first  of  its 
kind  brought  into  AVaterhnry. 

Mr.  Clark  died,  and  Bciijuniiii  Upson  married  liis  widow, 
in  Jan.  1781,  and  tlius  came  into  jiossession  of  the  wonden 
clock.  It  is  the  only  one  that  a{)i)eared  on  the  taxable  lists 
till  after  1790.  Its  face,  witli  tlie  maker's  name  on  it,  is  still 
in  existence  (or  was  a  short  time  since)  in  the  safe  keeping  of 
Mi's.  Aurelia  Clark,  the  daughter  of  Tliomas  Clark. 

The  only  wheeled  vehicle  of  any  sort  in  tlic  list,  is  a  rid- 
ing chair,"  set  down  to  the  account  of  £sra  Bronson.  I  sup- 
pose it  was  a  two  wheeled  carriage  without  a  top,  for  a 
single  person,  which  the  owner,  who  was  much  engaged  in 
public  life,  used  in  business.  It  is  affirmed  that  Parson 
JjeaTenworth  also  had  a  two  wheeled  carriage,  without  a 
top,  with  a  double  seat,  which,  being  exempted  from  taxation, 
does  not  appear  in  the  list ;  and  that  this  was  the  first  tiling  of 
the  kind  which  was  owned  in  Waterbury.  Bronson's  chair  " 
is  on  the  lists  of  1783  and  1783,  but  after  that  disappears.  The 
column  for  carriages  is  then  wholly  blank  till  after  1791 ;  ex- 
cept, in  one  instance,  (1789,)  a  sulkey  "  is  entered  against  the 
names  of  the  administrators  of  G^eorge  Nichols. 

Joseph  Hopkins  owned  the  "  silver  }date "  which  is  men- 
tioned in  the  summary  1  have  given.  It  consisted,  probably, 
of  silver  spoons  of  his  own  manufacture.  No  other  person 
had  any  "  plate"  till  after  1791. 

TIjc  i)ersnn  who  stood  highest  in  the  town  list,  in  the  town 
of  AVaterburv,  in  1782,  and  for  several  years  afterwards,  so 
far  ii3  I  have  examined,  was  JobamahGnnn  of  Salem  society. 
In  1782,  he  owned  418  acres  of  land,  and  stood  in  the  list 
£101,  17s.  6d.  In  1701,  he  had  563  acres  of  land,  (363  of 
which  were  inclosed,)  and  stood  in  the  list  jB246,  6s. 

Of  the  242  names  of  male  persons  over  21  years  of  age 
found  in  the  list  of  1783,  82  will  be  identified  as  tiiose  of  orig- 
inal families,  representing  less  than  half  the  old  names.  SeT- 
eral  of  them  were  not  descendants  of  the  fiist  settlen.  Of  the 
83,  there  are  of  the  names  of  Barnes  2,  Bronson  25,  Clark  2, 
Gayloi-d  1,  Hickox  5,  Hopkins  2,  Judd  4,  Peck  1,  Porter  11, 
Richards  1,  Richardson  2,  Scott  7,  8coviU  6,  Upson  1,  War- 
ner 7,  Welton  5. 


Digitized  by  Google 


IIISTUKY  OF  WATKKiiLKY. 


367 


On  the  list  of  the  voters  of  Waterbnry,  pnblisbed  in  the 
Waterbnry  American,  Oct.  24,  1856,  all  the  above  names, 
with  the  exception  of  Richardson,  are  found,  and  three  others 

th;it  were  borne  hv  oriicinul  lamilu's.  I  ;rive  tlie  iniinber  of 
persons  re[)resonte(l  by  each  of  tliese  naniL'S,  as  thev  ai  o  (.'utcr- 
ed  in  the  Anirrican's  list.  There  are  of  the  name  of  Andrews 
4,  Ikuiks  1,  l>ron<oii  22,  ('arrin^ton  1,  Clark  12,  Uaylord  1, 
riickux  4,  Hopkins  1,  .Tudd  8,  Peck  7,  Porter  12,  Kichards  1, 
Scott  10,  Scovill  5,  Stanley  2,  Upson  10,  AVarner  20,  Welton 
20,  (inclnding  in  the  last  nnmber  live  names  printed  Welon.) 

The  adoption  of  the  Coustitution  of  the  United  States,  and 
the  oi^nization  of  the  govei-nment  under  it,  iu  1789,  put  a 
new  aspect  upon  affairs.  At  that  period,  our  existence  as  a 
nation,  and  oar  greatest  good  and  prosperity  as  a  people,  began. 
The  blessings  of  that  constitntion  were  felt  in  every  hamiet  of 
the  land  and  have  extended  to  the  present  time.  No  sooner 
was  its  influence  perceived  than  order  came  out  of  confusion. 
Discord  was  exchanged  for  harmony,  uncertainty  for  confi- 
dence, poverty  for  plenty,  humiliating  and  confederated  weak- 
ness for  national  strength. 


[The  followinfj  inl-icellanooiis  itcmt!,  bcin;;  chiefly  extracts  from  records,  for 
which  I  h:iro  not  found  a  fitting  place,  in  the  preceding  pages,  I  Introduce  here 

by  thoins»'lv('s.] 

Nov.  H,  17<<2  >•  iDwu  by  iio:it  ordci-  y*  new  books  should  be  sold  in  y* 
town  to  yni  j*  will  by  yui  at  1»  in  cash  or  half  a  bushill  of  w  heat  down  puyd 
to  y«  town  treasurer  only  y*  bound  book  to  be  keept  for  y*  town  jona  to  be  keept 
in  y*  hands  in  [of]  justis  in  being  fr6ai  time  to  time.  [The  preceding  Tote 
seems  to  refer  to  certain  h\\v  books,  copies  of  the  Btatuten,  doubtlefn,  received 
from  the  Assembly.   There  are  frequent  votes  ordering  the  sale  of  the  "law 

bookH."] 

Jany  wary  0  17 18-19  it  ^  m  agreed  upon  by  uotc  to  grunt  a  rutt  of  live  pounds 
as  moaej  to  be  raised  on  the  present  list  of  estat  us  a  town  stock  [or  charitable 
fund]  for  the  nesemty  of  the  pore  or  disstrakted  parsons  to  be  dimposed  of  at  the 
discrestion  of  the  present  townsmen  accordinf;  to  law. 

  of  Buck«hill  waM  married  in  April,  ITMrt,  and  his  fir.'^t  child  wa-i  born  in 

Reptonibcr  foUowinfj.  For  hU  ini-fortune,  he  and  his  wife  w  ere  summoned  to 
appear  before  the  County  Court,  in  April,  1737,  to  show  cause,  kc.  Such  cases 
were  very  common  In  the  courts  100  years  ago.  The  penalty  was  £5  or  ten 
stripes  (for  each  offender,  I  suppose.)  Afkerwards,  in  casesin  which  married  olTend* 
ers  irfeaded  guilty  on  trial,  the  courts  were  ordered  to  exact  but  half  the  penah  j. 


Digitized  by  Google 


S63  HI6TUST  OF  WATBRBURT. 

Om  poor  follow,  John  Tattle,  of  New  Haven,  confessfd  T2  years  after  the  offense. 
His  confcHsion  is  entered  on  the  \.  H.  County  Court  Ui-eord,  Vol.  II,  p.  486. 

poo.  14,  1741,  the  prayer.**  of  Daniel  Scott,  Ebenezer  Klwell  and  Gideon  Allen  for 
the  abatenieut  ol  tlicir  lines  for  killing  deer  were  "negatived"  by  the  town.  March, 
1765,  Samuel  WanierwtB excused  from  paying  hb  note  for  £2,  lOs.,  given  for  kill> 
ing  B  deer.  In  1765,  Zerm  Beebe^e  note  for  £8,  given  for  destroying  a  deer  wes  or- 
dered to  be  given  up.   The  town  was  equally  lenient  to  Samuel  Williams,  in  1767. 

Jan.  175(>,  William  Selkrigg  of  Wuterhiiry  was  killed  by  falling  with  a  stick  of 
wood  which  he  wuh  currying'  on  his  shoulder. 

June,  17  (in,  Miles  Wouster  and  Saumel  Sperry  were  brought  before  a  justice's 
court  and  fined  each  Ss.  for  **  rude  and  pro&ne  behariour  between  meedogs  in  the 
meeting  house  on  the  Lord's  day.** 

December,  1760,  the  town  Toied  to  give  a  premium  of  three  shitllngs  for  **U11- 
ing  or  destroying  any  grown  wild  cat,  and  half  so  much  for  their  whelps,  and  two 
shillings  for  a  fox  and  half  so  much  for  their  wliclps,"  the  selectman  ormentocut 
off  the  right  car  of  such  cat  or  fox  to  prevent  fraud. 

In  17(jl,  the  premium  on  wild  cats  was  raided  to  live  shillingH,  aud  on  their 
whelps  to  two  and  six  pence.  In  1768  and  1778,  Is.  only  was  paid  for  foxesi 

In  1765,  Isaac  Frazier  broke  into  the  shop  of  Joseph  Hopkins  and  stole  £1SS 
value  of  goldsmith^H  work.  Ho  was  sentenced  to  be  executed,  but  asked  for  per- 
petual imprisonment,  banishment  or  »<laVery  instead.    The  recpiest  was  not  granted 

Feb.  17i>S.  The  town  voted  to  irivc  the  Krctich  family  in  this  town,  in  order  to 
transport  them  into  the  northward  country,  not  vxccediug  ten  pouud:i,  including 
charitable  contributions!,  to  be  paid  in  provisions. 

At  the  same  meeting,  voted  that  Obadiah  Sci^tt  should  have  liberty  to  live  b 
this  town. 

Dec.  7,  1771.  MoaetPaul,  a  Moho^'nn,  while  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Oark  in  Beth' 
any,  (then  New  Haven,)  and  under  the  influence  of  H(p)or,  seized  a  flat  iron 
weighitig  4A  llis  ,  (I'aul  wiid  "a  stick  or  dubb,")  ami  while  ainiinfr,  it  is  allcdged, 
at  Mr.  Clark,  misled  him,  and  the  blow  fell  upon  Moses  Cook  of  Waterbury,  who 
was  Standing  by.  The  wound  terminated  fatally  Deo.  12.  The  Indian  was  tried  in 
February,  and  sentenced  to  be  hanged  June  17 ;  but  the  General  Assembly,  on  pe> 
titlon,  [>ostponed  the  execution  till  Sep.  17,  177'J.  Sampson  Oceum,at  the  request 
of  Paid,  preaclied  the  funeral  sermon,  which  wa.s  published. 

17s;;  Peter  (lillvli  y  w.is  ■^eiiieneed  to  two  years  impri.sonn)ent  in  Newgate  and 
forfeiture  of  estate.  The  only  evidence  again.-t  him  wat«  the  tools  touud  in  hi* 
house.  He  denied  that  he  bad  counterfeited,  though  he  confessed  that  he  had  in* 
tended  to  do  so.  He  said  that  his  wife  and  children  were  destitute ;  that  he  was 
wounded  in  the  hand,  the  use  of  which  he  had  lost;  that  he  waa  sick  and  won 
oat,  and  asked  for  a  rcnns.<«ion  of  punishment  and  a  restoration  of  his  estate.  He 
was  discharged  from  prison. 

Isaac  nine  was  charged  with  being  an  accomplice  of  Gilklcy  and  arrested,  but 
for  want  of  evidence  was  acquitted. 

DecL  S7,  1784,  at  a  town  meeUng,  a  memorial  was  received  from  bane  Bronsou 
and  others,  asking  liberty  t»  erect  a  saw  mill  **on  the  Great  Brook  where  the  oM 
one  now  standeth,*'  (which  would  accommodate  the  neighborhood  of  Breakneck,) 
and  to  build  a  (lain  wliieh  would  cause  the  water  "to  flow  across  the  public  rosd," 
on  condition  that  they  maintained  a  bridge,  &o.   The  request  was  granted. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HIBIOBT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


369 


1785.  John  Porter  and  Elnathan  Jennings  of  Waterbury  were  apprehended 
for  coanterfeiting  coin.  They  escaped  twice  and  were  rearrested  and  imprisoned. 
The  J  then  broke  goal  and  fled. 

Dee.  21, 1786.  Two  of  the  five  sdectmen  were*  to  cdleet  the  town  rate  and 
pro%nde  for  the  pMTi  and  ''be  allowed  a  rea8onal)le  reward;*^  but  the  other  three 
were  to  "have  no  reward  for  tlieir  sJerviee  exeept  for  I;vyinfr  out  hi;;hwa7e, and  ft 
dinner  on  hucli  ihiys  as  tliey  are  employed  in  the  service  of  tlie  town." 

Dec.  8,  1768,  Noah  Caudo  asked  for  liberty  of  the  town  to  setup  a  blacksmitli'a 
shop  for  hie  own  use,  *'at  the  west  end  of  a  dder  mill  yard,  a  fittle  cast  of  CoL 
Baldwin's  dwelling  house, against  the  southeast  eomer  of  CoL  Porter's  potash 
lot" 

Deo.  80,  1789.  On  motion  of  John  Welton,  R?q.,  the  selectmen  were  in'^truct- 
ed  to  purchase  a  piece  of  •;roi)n<l.  in  tlif  northern  part  of  the  towu,  for  tbe  pur- 
pose of  a  burying  yard,  if  they  thought  proper. 

Sep.  io,  1791,  Doet.  Abel  Brooson  Oapt  Isaao  Bronson,  and  CoL  Pldneaa 
Porter  were  ehosen  a  committee  to  confer  with  Woodbury  and  the  neighboring 
towns  on  the  subject  of  a  new  county  and  to  hear  proposals,  &c.  Another  com* 
mittcc  was  appointed,  April  9,  1792,  to  treat  with  tbe  neigliboring  towns  etsW 
ward  and  we*!tward  rejipecting  a  new  county." 

Jan.  27,  1794.  On  petition  of  Mr.  Eli  BroJison  praying  for  a  burying  ground 
for  Hiddlebury  society,  the  eelectmen  were  authorized  to  purchase  ground  for 
that  purpose. 

Jan.  16,  1797,  tiie  town  directed  the  selectmen  to  pay  the  selectmen  of  Woleott 
£8,  Km.  (id.,  hwfttl  money,  to  be  ap|died  to  the  payment,  in  part,  of  tiieb  burying 

ground. 

April  22,  1801.  The  selectmen  were  "authorized  to  purcliase  80  much  land  as 
they  shall  judge  nccciwary  for  the  couvenience  of  the  public  to  be  improved  as  a 
burying  ground  on  the  east  side  of  and  a4joiidng  to  the  present  burying  ground,  at 
the  expense  of  the  town,"  and  to  sell  so  much  land  at  the  south  end  of  the  old 
yard  a^  they  judged  unstiitable  for  the  purpose  of  a  burying  ground. 

Feb.  21,  1803.  The  town  voted  to  prefer  a  petition  to  the  next  General  As- 
sembly prayin^r  ?^ai(i  Asf-enibly  to  quiet  tin*  present  iiof^session  of  land  in  the  said 
ancient  town  of  Waterbury,  in  the  full  and  peaceable  eujoyuient  of  the  fiunie,  so 
fiur  as  their  tiUes  may  be  defoetlTe  in  consequenec  of  the  usual  custwn  of  loeat- 
ing  lands  within  said  town  without  a  title  to  the  common  lands  by  deed,  with 
wUeh  sidd  surreys  or  locations  are  filled  up. 

24 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 

I.  BIOGRAPHY.* 

AMOS  BENEDICT, 

Son  of  the  lale  Aaron  B«nodiot  of  Ifiddlobuiy,  and  an  elder  brother 
of  Aaron  Benediet  of  Waterbntj,  was  bom  July  6,  1780.  He  was 
gradoated  at  Tale  College  in  1800 ;  studied  law  at  tbe  Law  School  in 
Litchfield ;  married  a  daughter  of  Capt  Stone  of  that  place,  and  settled 
in  Watertown,  Jefferson  County,  N.  in  1807,  where  he  soon  became 
a  leading  member  of  the  bar.  He  was  the  second  district  attorney, 
being  first  appointed  in  1810,  and  again  in  1818  and  1814.f  The 
district  then  comprised  the  counties  of  Jeffirason,  Lewis  and  St.  Law- 
rence. In  1 810,  he  returned  to  Connecticut,  visited  his  friends  in  Litch- 
field, was  taken  ill,  and  after  a  week's  confinement,  died  of  ^  a  car- 
buncle on  the  back."  He  wss  buried  in  Litchfield. 

ISAAC  BRONSON, 

The  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Brocket)  Bronson,  was  bom  at  Break- 
neck, now  Middlebury,  March  10,  1760.  Ilis  father,  grandfather, 
great  grandfather  and  great,  great  grandfather,  (the  original  plant- 
er,) all  bore  the  name  of  Isaac,  and  all  except  the  last,  were  eldest 
sons. 

The  subject  of  thia  notice  was  extensively  known  for  his  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  principles  of  banking,  currency  and  finance.  His 
father  was  a  farmer  of  highly  respectable  character,  and  often  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Legislature.  A  small  farm  waa  his  chief  source  of  revenue, 


*  Several  of  tbe  biographical  coticci  la  the  foUowlDg  pages  hare  been  fiinilahtd,  vhoU/  or 
In  part,  by  othtn.  Wot  IboM  «t  iMte  BrooMB,  iMbca  Bftlmw, Sinirt L. H^M—  tat  Maik 

Leavenworth,  I  am  indebted  to  frkods  vho  hftT*  takm  ft  tpMtal  iBlttWt  Ib  tUi  VOrlt. 

t  8m  Dr.  UQOgli'a  HUI017  of  JcfftrMa  Cwaaitf, 


Digitized  by  Google 


AFPBKDIZ. 


371 


and  to  support  the  expenses  of  liis  family  required  all  his  industry  and 
economy.  For  this  reason,  neither  of  his  sons  received  a  collegiate 
education,  but  they  had  the  best  advantages  winch  his  limited  means 
would  alTord.  There  are  few  country  places  where  intellectual  culture 
was  more  highly  prized  than  in  Middlebury.  The  people  were  conside- 
rate, industrious  and  moral,  and  united  their  efforts  to  provide  means 
for  the  general  diffusion  of  knowledixe  amont;  themselves.  The  intlu- 
ence  of  such  a  community  was  favurable  to  the  development  of  the 
talents  and  virtues  of  Mr.  lironson,  and  had  a  salutary  effect  in  form- 
ing his  character.  Few  persons  of  regular  education  were  more  familiar 
with  the  history  of  the  world,  and  with  those  branches  of  informatioo 
which  constitute  useful  and  practical  knowledge. 

While  a  youth,  Mr.  Bronson  pursued  the  study  of  medicine  with  the 
late  Dr.  Lemuel  Hopkins  of  Hartford,  and  entered  the  army  as  a  junior 
surgeon  in  , the  Revolutionary  war,  on  the  14th  of  November,  1779,  in 
the  2d  regiment  of  light  dragoons,  commanded  by  Col.  Elisha  Sheldon, 
in  the  C  mneclicut  line,  under  the  immediate  command  of  General 
Washington.  IL-  continued  constantly  in  the  discharge,  not  only  of 
the  duties  of  that  office,  but  he  also  acted  as  the  senior  surgeon  until 
the  end  of  the  war.  The  senior  oQicer  was,  from  his  jige  and  infirmi- 
ties, unable  to  endure  the  hardships  incident  to  the  peculiar  service  re- 
quired of  that  regiment — the  protection  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  coun- 
try lying  between  the  outposts  of  the  two  contending  armies,  unj»rotect- 
ed  by  the  civil  or  military  power  of  cither,  and  exposed  to  the  j)erpet- 
ual  incursions  of  the  enemy.  This  service  required  the  troops  to  be 
constantly  moving,  as  well  for  the  protection  of  the  inhabitants,  as  to 
guard  against  surprise,  which  a  stationary  position  of  twenty-four  hours 
would  at  all  times  have  exposed  them  to.  Not  a  single  tent  belonged 
to  the  regiment,  nor  had  they  any  other  covering  except  the  occasional 
shelter  which  uninhabited  hou'^es  and  barns  afforded.  These  ))rivations 
of  course  exposed  the  troops  to  urmsual  hardship.  The  wounded,  as 
well  as  the  sit  k,  were  frequently  left  under  the  protection  of  flags  of 
truce,  attended  by  the  surgeon  only  ;  the  New  York  levies  being  with- 
out any  medical  officers  even  in  name.  Mr.  Bronson,  though  a  junior 
surgeon,  performed  all  the  medical  duties  for  several  campaigDS  for 
all  tlie  troops  attached  to  ShtMon's  command. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  Mr.  Bronson  abandoned  the  profession  of 
medicine,  made  a  voyage  to  India,  traveled  in  Europe,  returned 
about  1789  and  married.  About  the  year  1792,  he  settle<l  with  his 
family  in  Philatlelphia  ;  but  after  two  years  residence  in  that  city,  remov- 
ed to  New  York,  where  he  continued  the  buaineas  of  a  banker,  which 


Digitized  by  Google 


372 


mSTOBT  OF  WATEBBUSY. 


ha<l  Keen  conmionre*!  some  time  before,  in  connection  with  Mr.  Fowler 
of  New  York  and  Mr.  IVnneroy  of  Hartford.  In  1796,  he  purchased 
the  property  of  the  late  Pre.-iident  D wight  on  Greenfield  Hill,  in  this 
Slate,  for  a  summer  residence,  to  which  place  he  retired  during  a  large 
portion  of  each  year. 

Mr.  Bronson  was  distinguished  for  his  great  intellectual  power,  a 
moral  courafje  that  nothing  could  intimidate,  untiring  industry  and  the 
most  scrui»ulous  integrity.  Upon  any  suhject  to  wliich  his  attention 
wa.s  at  any  time  directed,  his  views  were  clear  and  profound,  and  on  all 
proper  occasions,  expressed  with  great  frankness  and  freedom. 

Uaving  closed  his  partnership  firm,  he  engaged  in  the  banking  busi- 
ness in  Bridgeport,  Conn.  lie  possessed  the  controlling  influence  in  a 
bank  in  that  place,  and  managed  its  affairs  for  more  than  thirty  years. 
His  bank  was  opened  on  the  21st  day  of  May,  1807,  and  a  rule  wjis 
estalilished  on  that  day  of  the  following  import. — "No  paper,  oflered  at 
this  Bank  for  discount,  will  be  accepted  having  more  lhan  GO  days  to 
run  to  maturity,  and  every  note  or  bill  discounted  must  be  paid  at  ma- 
turity. No  renewal  or  new  discount  will  be  made  in  substitution  for  or 
in  aid  of  the  payment  of  an  existing  indebtedness."  There  was  no 
set  form  of  by-laws  enacted.  This  simple,  searching  and  effective  rulo 
was  the  solitary  but  inflexible  law  for  the  government  of  the  institution. 
In  the  outset,  some  of  its  debtors,  regarding  a  bank  in  the  light  of  a 
benevolent  institution,  possessing  recognized  and  special  privileges,  and 
therefore  bound  to  accommodate  the  public,  (a  heresy  alike  fatal  to  the 
country  and  the  banks,)  denoatioed  the  rale  as  Mrbitrary  and  unaccom- 
modating. Ithoweverwas  inrariably  enforoed,  and  its  requirements 
obeyed.  It  induced  and  compelled  debtort  to  oariy  out  the  same  con- 
lervative  piinelple  in  all  their  pri?atd  traoiaotiona.  Each  trader  con- 
ducted hia  business,  not  on  borrowed  bank  credit,  but  on  his  own  capi- 
tal, and  thui  brought  the  amount  of  hia  transactions  within  his  own 
means — short  credits  and  quick  returns  were  characteristic  of  the  trans- 
actions of  the  customeraof  the  bank.  The  gains  of  the  people,  the 
fruit  of  honest  and  patient  industrj  and  well  considered  economy,  were 
not  sudden  and  spasmodic,  but  sure  and  steady.  The  bank,  in  short, 
only  cashed  sales,  and  it  was  soon  proved,  after  the  bank  was  fairly  in 
operation,  that  its  ability  to  discount  had  no  sort  of  connection  with  or 
dependence  on  the  amount  of  the  capital,  and  that  the  latter  was  of  no 
use  except  to  inspire  confidence.  A  currency  fully  equal  to  the  de- 
mands of  trade  was  sustained,  and  more  could  not  haYO  been  sustained, 
however  large  its  capital.  Its  drculating  notea  were  issued  only  in  ex- 
change for  bnsmess  paper,  repreaenting  commodities  in  tran^to,  and 


Digitized  by  Copgl 


APPENDIX. 


873 


were,  as  has  already  been  observed,  praoUeally  secured  by  a  Hen  on 
those  commodities.  Once  in  every  60  days  the  whole  debt  doe  the 
bank  was  canceled  by  payment  There  was  no  attempt  by  the  bank 
to  regulate  trade  or  exchangee,  but  it  was  itself  regulated  by  them.  It 
was  the  servant  of  trade,  not  its  master.  Its  circulation  vibrated 
laigely.  At  certain  seasons,  when  the  products  of  the  country  were 
coming  forward  to  market,  it  expanded ;  at  others  it  shrunk  within  very 
narrow  limits,  as  the  records  of  the  bank  will  show. 

The  foiegoing.is  a  brief  sketch  of  the  principles  of  banking  employ- 
ed by  Mr.  Bronson,  and  the  result  bears  ample  evidence  of  their  sound- 
ness and  safety.  The  bank  maintained  its  credit  and  solvency  tli  rough 
the  war  of  1812  and  two  financial  crises,  during  which  all  the  banks 
of  the  country  suspended  specie  payment ;  and  at  no  time  in  that  long 
interval,  aud  during  the  severe  financial  difficulties  that  disturbed  and 
embarrassed  the  commercial  world,  did  its  notes  or  obligations  ever  fall 
below  the  specie  standard. 

Mr.  Bronson  carried  out  the  principles  which  have  been  explained 
and  exerted  his  induence  to  secure  their  general  adoption.  His  courage 
and  greatest,  eneigy  were  pnt  to  a  severe  test  He  had  engaged  against 
him  the  wealth  and  influence  of  the  mercantile  classes,  sustained  by 
most  of  the  legal  talent  of  the  city  of  New  York,  when  he,  at  two  im- 
portant  commercial  crises,  persisted  in  his  elTorts,  and  succeeded  by 
legal  proceedings,  in  compelling  the  banks  of  that  city  to  contract  their 
circulation,  and  finally  to  resume  specie  paymenls.  His  discernment  in 
whatever  related  to  political  economy  has  seldom  been  equaled.  He 
would  foretell  the  effects  of  a  given  measure  Upon  the  general  system 
of  trade,  with  all  the  precision  of  past  events.  The  fulfillment  of  his 
predictions,  in  regard  to  the  result  of  many  momentous  steps  taken  by 
the  banks  or  the  government,  seemed  almost  to  indicate  the  supernatu- 
ral gift  of  prophesy.  No  political  bias,  or  regard  for  public  opinion, 
or  sinister  motive  connected  with  bis  own  interests,  ever  seemed  to  in- 
fluence his  judgment.  In  all  his  opinions  and  actions,  he  was  swayed 
by  truth  and  rectitude.  Hamilton  and  other  distinguished  men  con- 
nected with  Uie  federal  goveron^t,  in  its  early  annals,  confided  in  bis 
talents  and  virtues,  and  often  consulted  him,  with  great  deference  for 
his  opinions,  especially  in  regard  to  financial  quesUons.  His  wealth 
acquired  in  the  pursuit  of  his  business,  was  the  result  of  hb  financial 
wisdom. 

His  liberality  was  great  but  unostentatious,  and  whenever  he  con^N'- 
red  a  favor,  he  endeavored  to  conceal  it  from  the  world.  In  his  own 
family,  he  was  beloved  for  all  that  could  endear  a  husband  and  &ther. 


Digitized  by  Google 


874 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


For  thirty  years  prior  to  bU  death,  he  devoted  much  attention  to  the 
Christian  religion,  and  never  for  a  monient  was  shaken  in  his  clear  con- 
viction of  tho  great  truths  of  the  Bible.  Ue  lived  and  died  with  a  firm 
reliance  on  its  promises.  His  great  age  cast  no  shadow  over  his  men- 
tal powers,  which  continued  in  their  full  force  and  brilliancj  to  the  does 
of  life. 

After  his  return  from  India  and  Europe,  Mr.  Bronson  married  Anna, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Olcott  of  Stratford.  By  this  marriage,  he  had 
ten  children.  1.  Oliver;  died  in  infancy.  2.  Maria;  died  in  infancy. 
3.  Maria;  born  Aui^.  18,  1793,  in  New  York  city ;  married,  Dec.  27, 
1814,  Col.  James  B.  Murray  of  New  York  city;  had  seven  childreSi 
and  died  Dec.  21,1851.  4.  Harriet;  born  Jan.  14,  1798,  in  New  York 
city,  and  died,  unmarried,  in  November,  1835,  in  Switzerland.  5.  Car- 
oline; born  Jan.  14,  1708,  in  New  York  city;  married  Doctor  Marinus 
Willet  of  New  York,  son  of  Col.  Marinus  Willet,  and  died  of  consump- 
tion, March  1,  1853,  leaving  six  children.  G.  Oliver  ;  born  Oct.  3,  1799, 
at  Greenfield,  Conn. ;  married  Joanna  Donaldson  and  has  four  children. 
7.  Arthur;  born  Jan.  11,  1801,  in  New  York  city;  married  Anna  Eliza, 
daughter  of  Gen.  Tlieodorus  liailey  of  New  York,  Nov.  20,  1823; 
died  of  pneumonia,  Nov.  19,  1844,  leaving  three  children.  8.  Frederic; 
born  May  2,  1802,  in  New  York  city  ;  married,  March  1, 1838,  Charlotte 
Brinckerliotl'  of  New  York,  and  has  three  children.  9.  Mary;  bom 
Aug.  2,  180C,  at  Greenfield;  unmarried.  10.  Ann;  born  March  25, 
1810,  at  GreonfieM  ;  died  July  19,  1840,  unmarried. 

Isaac  Bronson  died  of  a  neuralp^ic  affection  of  the  heart,  at  Greenfield 
Hill,  May  19,  1 839.  His  widow  died,  at  the  same  place,  May  17,  1850, 
in  the  80th  year  of  her  age. 

ETHEL  BRONSON, 

A  younger  brotlier  of  Dr.  Isaac  Bronson,  was  born  in  that  part  of 
Waterbury  which  is  now  Middlebury,  July  22d,  1765,  and  married  Dec 
30,  1787,  Hepzibah,  daughter  of  Joseph  Hopkins,  Esq.  He  became* 
prominent  citizen  of  his  native  town,  was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  a 
member  of  the  Legislature  for  six  sessions. 

In  May,  1804,  he  removed  to  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  and  became 
the  agent  of  his  brother  Is.nac  for  the  sale  of  lands.  He  went  with  his 
family  in  company  with  David  Tyler  and  Josiah  Tyler.  The  journey 
occupied  three  weeks,  over  roads  barely  passable  with  teams,  and  through 
uninhabited  forests.  The  party  were  obliged  to  walk  much  of  the  dis- 
tance, to  encamp  in  their  wagons,  and  to  subsist,  in  good  part,  on  wild 


Digitized  by  Google 


AFPEMDEC 


875 


game.   Th«y  wttled  in  ButUod,  near  Watertown,  Bronson  in  the  center 

of  the  town. 

Ethel  Bronson  was  one  of  the  leading  men  of  Jefferson  County.  He 
was  three  times  elected  to  the  Legislature,  and  in  1813  was  judge  of 
the  County  Court.  At  the  lime  of  his  death, io  1825,  he  was  president 
of  the  Jefferson  County  Bank.  **He  was  not  ambiUous  for  public 
office ;  but  in  those  qualities  that  make  a  good  citizen^  a  kind  neighbor 
and  a  valued  friend,  he  was  preeminent.  He  was  kind  and  liberal  al- 
most to  a  fiiult ;  yet  public  spirited,  and  enterprising,  and  possessing  a 
character  marked  with  integrity  and  probity.  He  waa  beloved  hy  his 
(nends,  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.*** 

ISAAC  H.  BRONSON, 

Son  of  Ethel  Bronson,  waa  bom  in  Waterbnry,  {Murish  of  Middle- 
bniy,  probably  in  1802.  An  obituary  notice,  published  in  ihe  New 
York  Jonma!  of  Commerce,  Aug.  29, 1855,  says  that  he  waa  bom  in 
Rutland,  JeffiBrson  Co.,  Oct.  16,  1802.  At  this  period,  his  fother  had 
not  removed  from  Middlebury.  The  American  Almanac,  for  1856, 
gives  his  age  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1855,  as  48*  He  must  have 
been  several  years  older. 

Mr.  Bronson,  according  to  the  Journal  of  Commerce,  waa  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1822,  He  rose  rapidly  to  eminence,  as  a  lawyer,  in  Jeffer- 
son County.  He  waa  elected  to  the  twenty-fifth  Congress,  in  1836,  and 
was  a  candidate,  in  1888,  for  the  next  Congress,  but  waa  defeated.  In 
the  last  named  year,  he  was  appointed  Circuit  Judge,  but  bemg  in  deli- 
cate health,  he  declined  to  serve,  and  retired  to  private  life. 

In  1840,  Mr.  Bronson  waa  appointed  United  States  Judge  for  the 
Eastern  District  of  Florida,  and  retained  the  office  till  1845,  when  Flor- 
ida became  a  State.  His  rssideice  during  this  period,  and  afterwards, 
while  United  States  Judge,  is  set  down  as  St  Augustine.  At  the  first 
session  of  the  Legislature  of  the  new  State,  he  was  chosen  unanimously 
Circuit  Judge  of  the  Eastern  Circuit  of  Florida.  Soon  afker,  he  was 
appointed  United  States  District  Judge  of  the  State ;  and  a  year  later, 
when  the  State  was  divided,  he  retained  the  Northern  District,  and  was 
continued  in  ofBce  till  his  decease.  He  died  at  his  residence,  Sunny 
Point,  Palatka,  (a  few  miles  firom  St  Augustine,)  Fla^  Aug.  13,  1855. 

Mr.  Bronson  is  described  as  a  most  able  judge — a  man  of  high  moral 
principle,  of  liberal  and  patriotic  views,  of  energy,  sagadty  and  busi- 


•  Boocb^  Hliloiy  of  JcfllMWMi  Oovnlar,  N.  T. 


Digitized  by  Google 


37C 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATEBBUST. 


ness  capacity.  For  fifteon  years  his  name  was  ulentified  with  the  his- 
tory and  prosperity  of  i'ioridai 

TILLOTSON  BRONSON,  D. 

The  fourtli  in  descent  from  Isaac  Bronson,  the  original  planter  of  Wa- 
terbury,  was  the  sixth  child  and  eldest  son  of  Capt.  Amos  and  Anna 
(Blakeslee)  Bronson,  and  was  born  at  a  place  called  Jerico,  on  the  Naiig- 
atuck  River,  in  Northbury,  Jan.  8,  1702.  Ilis  father  was  one  of  the 
leading  men  of  the  Episcopal  society  of  the  place.  Being  a  regular 
attendant  at  church,  and  living  at  Bome  distance,  he  was  accustomed, 
on  Sunday  morning,  to  provide  himself  as  follows : — Taking  a  commoo 
brown  com  bag,  he  would  put  the  dinner  in  one  end  and  a  wooden  bot- 
tle of  dder  in  the  other.  Phicing  this  across  the  saddle,  he  mounted 
the  horse,  took  lila  wife  behind  him  on  a  pillion,  placed  ^  HUy/*  or  some 
of  the  other  children,  before,  and  tlius  equipped  for  the  day,  rode  to 
church.  This  was  the  comilioii  method  of  traveling  in  those  days. 
Sometimes  a  seeood  child  would  be  taken  in  the  lap  of  the  mother. 
Occasionally,  still  another,  it  is  stated,  was  added  to  the  load ;  bat  I 
know  not  where  it  could  have  been  placed,  unless  in  the  bag  to  balanee 
the  oats  which  were  sometimes  carried.  A  horse  fully  freighted  in  tbii 
way,  with  provision,  live  stock  and  dder,  was  said  to  carry  a  **  Jodd 
load,**  vSter  some  of  (he  Judds  who  were  remarkable  for  these  demon* 
strations. 

Capt  Bronson  was  a  respectable  farmer,  and  very  naturally  desired 
that  his  eldest  son,  who  could  be  of  most  assistance  to  him,  should  fol- 
low his  own  occupation.  The  son  acceded  to  the  wishes  of  the  father,  and 
labored  upon  the  farm ;  but  his  heart  and  mind  were  somewhere  dee. 
Refraining  wholly  from  amusements,  it  is  stated  that  he  spent  all*  his 
leisure  hours  in  the  perusal  of  the  few  books  which  he  could  command. 
His  mother  encouraged  him  in  his  studies,  ,  and  dedred  be  should  have 
the  benefit  of  a  public  education.  But  the  father  was  still  averse  to 
gratifying  these  inclinations,  thinking  perhaps  he  could  ill  affi>rd  the  ex- 
pense. But  the  mother  persevered,  and  the  result  was  Tilly,  at  the  age 
of  eighteen,  was  put  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Trumbull  of  West* 
bury  to  study  Latin  and  Greek,  and  prepare  for  college.  He  afterwards 
taught  school  in  Waterbury,  in  order  to  aid  in  defraying  the  expenses 
of  his  education.  While  a  member  of  Yale  College,  his  mother,  per8eve^ 
ing  in  her  purpose,  made  great  exertions  for  his  support  She  spun,  and 
wove,  and  carded  wool.  Often  she  rode  into  New  Haven  on  horsebsck, 
carrying  the  rolls  (of  wool)  which  she  had  prepared,  behind  her,  with 


Digitized  by  Copgl 


Z71 


which  she  piud  her  son*8  quarter  bills.  He  assisted  by  keeping  school ; 
the  last  year  of  his  coll^  course,  in  New  Milford.  lie  graduated  in 
1786,  having  for  classmates,  Stanley  Griswold,  Frederick  Woloolt,  John 
Kin<,^^l)ury,  (afterwards  of  Watcrbury,)  Ac  Little  is  known  of  bis 
scholarship  at  tliis  time,  except  that  he  was  a  laborious  student  Imme- 
diately after  graduation,  be  was  admitted  as  a  candidate  for  holy  orders.* 
He  prosecuted,  for  a  time,  his  theological  studies  under  the  direction  of 
the  Uev.  Dr.  Mansfield,  but  completed  them  under  the  immediate  super- 
intendence of  Bishop  Scabury.  By  the  latter,  be  was  ordained  as  dea* 
con,  Sept.  11,  1787,  and  priest,  Feb.  24, 1788. 

In  the  first  year  of  his  ministry,  Mr.  Bronson  ofiBciated  in  the  churches 
at  Stratford,  Vt.,  and Hano?er,  N.  II.  Afterwards, he  went  to  Boston  and 
su]>])lied  the  place  of  Rev.  Mr.  Montague,  Rector  of  Christ's  Church, 
during  a  temporary  absence.  At  a  later  period,  he  officiated  in  Uebron, 
Chatham  and  Middle  Haddam,  in  this  Slate.  In  1705,  by  invitation  of 
the  Episcopal  Contention,  be  opene<l  a  school  in  Cheshire,  which  waa 
designed  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  Academy  in  that  place.  In  Decern* 
ber,  1797,  he  accepted  an  invitation  from  the  Episcopal  society  of  Wa- 
terbury,  and  became  its  first  settled  pastor  after  the  completion  of  the 
new  churcl).  Here  he  labored  three>fourtbs  of  the  time,  for  Avhich  he 
received  $250  per  annum.  The  remaining  fourth, be  preached  in  Salcm. 
lie  resided  in  the  old  Barlow  bonse,"  the  honse  next  east  of  Almon 
Farr.jra,  on  Grand  street.  Mis  parochial  dutiea  were  discharged  with 
faithfulness, ability  and  success.  The  parish  pnwpeied  under  his  teach- 
ings, and  a  strong  affection  grew  np  between  minister  and  people.  He 
was  wont  to  recur,  in  after  life,  to  the  period  he  spent  in  Waterbury,  in 
ohaige  of  St.  John's  church,  as  the  happiest  and  most  satisfactory  of  his 
life.  At  last,  however,  the  inadequateness  of  bis  salary,  and  the  unwilU 
ingness  or  inability  of  his  people  to  raise  it,  compelled  him  to  seek  a 
new  situation.    He  preached  bis  farewell  sermon  in  June,  1806. 

From  Waterbury,  Mr.  Bronson  removed  to  New  Ilaven,  and  became 
the  editor  of  the  Churchman's  Magazine.  Soon  after,  in  the  same  year, 
be  was  appointed,  by  tiie  Episcopal  ConvenUon,  principal  of  the  Acade- 
my in  Cheshirei  where  he  took  up  his  residence.  lie  continued,  how- 
ever, in  the  management  of  the  Magazine,  arranging  the  papers,  and 
furnishing  much  of  the  matter,  editorially  and  in  the  way  of  commu- 
nications. The  interesting  sketch  of  the  history  of  the  church  in  Wa- 
terbury, of  which  I  have  made  a  liberal  use  on  a  previous  occasion,  ap- 

*  Sm  R«t.  Dr.  Beardiley'fl  UUtorlc*!  AdUreM,  (tviog  an  accoiuit  of  the  Epbcopal  Academj 
•  itt  CbMUre-HilM,  tiM  Eer.  Dr.  N«bU*S  MeoiolrorDr.  Brosioa  In  Am  OhwdnB«B<S  llsgsMM, 
Tobolhef  tlimMweai,IsmlBd«M«dforlSetacMUdBtdlBthtoilwl8h. 


Digitized  by  Google 


378 


HISTORY  or  WjkXEBBUBT. 


pears  to  have  been  furnislicj  by  liini.  After  two  or  three  years,  the 
place  of  publication  of  the  periodical  was  removed  to  Now  York,  and 
Mr.  Bronson's  connection  with  it  ceased.  At  a  subsequent  period,  he 
once  more  became  the  editor,  tlie  work  having,  in  the  mean  time,  been 
discontinued  and  iigain  revived.  He  was  acting  in  this  c^ipacity  when 
fatal  disea^e  overtook  him.  The  volumes  which  were  publi^hed  under 
his  supervision,  are  regarded  as  the  ablest  and  most  valuable  of  the 
whole,  an<l  creditable  to  American  literature. 

About  the  time  Mr.  Jlrunson  was  aj)poiiited  principal  of  the  Aca<i- 
emy,  he  was  clioson  a  member  of  tin;  Crninecticut  Academy  of  .\rl5 
and  Sciences.  In  1813,  he  received  from  lirown  University  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  His  influence  in  the  councils  of  the  Diocese  was 
uniformly  great,  and  for  twenty  years  ho  was  chosen  by  the  Convention 
their  standing  committee.  He  held  other  oHices  of  honor  and  re.<[>unsi- 
bility,  all  of  which  his  broken  health  compelled  hira  to  resign  or  de- 
cline in  June,  1820.  At  this  time,  an  affecting  letter  was  addressed  by 
him  to  the  Convention,  in  session  at  Newtown,  from  which  the  following 
is  an  extract    I  give  also  some  remarks  by  Dr.  Beardsley. 

Next  October  will  complete  forty  years  that  I  have  boon  in  the  niinistry.  Dur- 
ing the  whole  of  which  time,  I  have  been  ble&jcd  with  8uch  a  mciuiure  of  hcdlh 

M  iMTer  to  hare  been  abtent  from  ConTentton  through  bodily  lodbiKMitioii ;  rardy 
firom  anj  other  came ;  and  nerer  more  than  on  three  or  four  oecadonfl,  from  the 

public  service  of  the  Church,  until  within  a  few  weeks  past.  At  this  time,  iheie 
U  but  one  clergyman  in  thcfo  states,  whof^e  letters  of  orders,  from  the  American 
Epi."^copate,  are  d.ited  earlier  than  mine.  During  twenty  years  past,  jii<t  one  half 
of  my  clerical  life,  I  have  been  honored  with  the  contideace  of  the  Conveutioa  in 
thdr  ehoiee  offending  committee.  It  ia  thus  fidl  time  I  dionld  wish  to  retire  Ihw 
thetruat  To  thla  I  em  loudly  admonished  by  ineveaiingyeari,  and  more  by  a  bodDj 
infirmity  which  threatens  to  render  me  incapable  of  discharging  the  incumbent 
duty.  It  is  therefore  my  earnest  desire  no  longer  to  be  considered  as  a  candidate 
for  any  appointment  in  the  gift  of  the  Convention.  With  all  proper  sentiment,*  of 
respect  and  gratitude  for  the  past,  I  beg  the  acceptance  of  my  best  wiKhcs  and 
prayers  for  the  liarmonj,  peace  ^and  prosperity  of  the  Church  and  Diocese,  in 
wlihih  I  liaTe  so  tong  ministered. 

As  a  scholar,  [says  the  Ber.  Dr.  Beardsley,]  his  reputation  wis  deserredly 
high.  He  was  profound  and  correct,  without  being  brilliant  or  polished.  Ilis 
love  of  the  classics  increased  with  his  years,  and  the  glow  of  cnthu-iasm  into 
which  he  would  kindle  while  commenting  on  beautiful  passages  in  Ilonur  and 
Virgil,  often  transported  him,  Uke  Priam's  zeal  for  fallen  Troy,  beyond  the  ueccs- 
nUes  of  the  oceasimi.  But  his  Ihrorlte  studies  were  mathenstios  and  Mtunl 
pliilosophy ;  and  to  these  he  would  devote  Umself  for  hours,  unconscious  of  ex* 
temal  tlungs  and  unmindful  of  his  bodily  comfort.  [He  delivered  to  the  pupils  ef 
the  Academy  of  which  he  had  charge  till  the  close  of  life]  a  scries  of  lectures  on 
tlic  rise  and  progre».s  of  the  manual  artx,  whii-h,  begun  at  an  early  period  of  his 
labors  as  an  instructor,  were  perfected  as  the  advancement  of  science  and  his  own 


Digitized  by  Google 


HISrtnitT  OF  WAIXBBUBT. 


879 


researches  furnished  materials.  DcUichod  parts  of  tJuv^o  lorturo!*  nppcarpfl  in  the 
Churchman's  Magazine ;  and  so  hi{;hly  were  thi\v  e^teeiiieU  by  his  pupils,  that  the 
project  was  once  suggested  of  securing  the  publication  of  the  whole  series. 

He  wrote  and  publiahed,  in  hie  maganne,  sereral  short  pieces  of 
poetry.  One,  entitled  the  *'Betrospect»**  (Vol.  V,  p.  158,)  describes  the 
wild  scenery  which  surrounded  his  youthful  home  on  the  Naugatuck ; 
and  if  it  does  not  reach  the  highest  standard  of  eicellenoe,  it  is  supe- 
rior to  much  that  goes  by  the  name  of  poetry. 

Dr.  Bronson  was  not  an  orator.  He  did  not  study  the  graces  of  elo> 
cution.  Still,  his  sermons  weie  always  good.  Their  characteristics  were 
clearness  and  fulness.  As  a  teacher,  he  acquired  a  wide  reputation ; 
and  the  Academy  of  which  he  was  the  head,  a  degree  of  respectability 
which  had  then  been  obtained  by  few  similar  institutions.  The  number 
of  students  ranged,  for  a  long  period,  from  eighty  to  one  hundred,  a 
grvA  proportion  of  whom  were  preparing  for  college,  or  pursuing  a  pro- 
feflsional  course  of  theology. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  distinguished  for  modesty,  simplicity, 
sincerity.  He  was  mild,  amiable  and  indulgent,  and  is  charged  with 
being  lax  in  discipline.  At  the  same  time,  he  is  described  as  inflexible 
in  prindple.  After  having  suffered  several  months  from  stone  in  the 
bladder,  be  had  repeated  paialytio  attacks,  and  died  Sept  6, 1826,  in 
the  65th  year  of  his  age. 

BENNET  BRONSON 

Was  tlie  youncfest  Bon  of  Dea.  Steplien  lironson,  a  thrifty  farmer,  and 
was  born  on  tlie  old  Isaac  Bronson  place,  Nov,  14,  1775.  In  childhood, 
he  worked  upon  the  farm  in  the  summer,  and  attended  a  district  school 
in  the  winter.  In  1786,  he  went  to  the  town  Academy,  then  recently 
opened,  having  for  a  schoolmate  Jeremiah  r>av,  afterwards  president  of 
Yale  (College.  From  an  early  period,  his  father  had  intended  he  should 
go  to  college ;  but  at  the  ago  of  twelve  years  he  had  a  long  course  of 
sickness,  from  which  he  did  not  recover  till  after  the  death  of  his  eldest 
brother,  Jesse.  Being  now  an  only  son,  his  father  wanted  his  assistance 
on  the  fiirm,  but  at  length  concluded  to  put  him  upon  a  course  of 
study.  With  this  object,  he  was  sent  to  Ciieshire,  at  tlie  nLTc  of  fifteen, 
to  study  with  the  Rev.  John  Foot,  the  Congregational  minister,  in 
whoae  family  he  resided.  After  six  months,  he  returned  homo,  and  al- 
ternately labored  on  the  farm  and  studied,  till  May,  1793.  lie  then 
went  back  to  Mr.  Foot's,  completed  his  preparatory  studies,  and  entered 
Yale  College.    la  1797,  he  graduated,  iiaviog  for  classmates,  Lyman 


Digitized  by  Google 


380 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATEBBUKT. 


Beechcr,  Thomas  D.iv,  Samuel  A.  Foot,  James  Murdock,  Horatio  Sey- 
mour, Seth  P.  Staples,  and  other  distinguished  men. 

The  first  year  after  leaving  College,  Mr.  lironson  spent  in  teaching 
poliool  and  working  his  father's  farm.  In  September,  1708,  he  engaged 
iii  a  school  at  lU-rhv  Landing;  hut  before  the  end  of  the  first  quarter 
n  G<  iv.'d  the  appointment  of  first  lieutenant  in  the  provisional  army  of 
the  Unite  1  St  itcs.  lie  finished  the  rpiarter,  and  entered  on  the  recruit- 
ing service  in  May,  1799.  In  August  following,  he  joined  his  regi- 
ment at  New  Haven  under  Col.  Timothy  Taylor.  In  Oct-  l  tr,  ihc  regi- 
ment was  ordered  to  New  Jersey;  but  the  packet  at  Hurl  (late  ran 
iij'on  sunken  rocks  and  filled.  Small  boats  came  and  re^cued  the  pas- 
sengers, who  were  in  great  peril.  They  were  quartered  in  New  Jersey 
with  two  other  regiments,  at  a  place  called  Scotch  l^lains,  for  tlic  winter. 
The  three  (11th,  12th  and  13th)  were  conunanded  by  Col.  Smith  of 
New  York.  ]>ut  "John  Atlams'  war"  was  a  short  one.  The  army  was 
disbanded  by  act  of  Congress,  in  IbUO,  and  JLieuU  BroDSOU  dolicd  his 
epaulets  and  returned  to  Waterbury. 

Ti»o  next  week  after  his  return,  Mr.  B.  commenced  the  study  of  law 
under  the  lion.  Noah  11  Benedict  of  Woodbury.  In  April,  1802,  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Litchfield  CouDtji  aud  the  next  summer 
opened  an  otlice  in  his  native  town. 

In  May,  LSOO,  Mr.  Bronson  was  appointed  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and 
w;is  rcaj. pointed  'annu:il!y  till  ISIS,  In  ^Lly,  1827,  be  was  again  se- 
Icct^'d  for  that  ofiice,  and  held  it  for  three  successive  years.  After- 
wanls,  he  refuseil  to  serve.  In  May,  1812,  he  was  made  one  of  the  as- 
sistant judges  of  the  New  Haven  County  Court,  and  was  continued  in 
oflice  two  years.  In  1824,  he  became  chief  judge  of  the  same  court 
and  held  the  olTice  six  ye.irs,  when  a  change  of  political  parties  caused 
his  removal.  Once  only,  in  May,  1829,  he  represented  the  town  io  the 
Legislature. 

In  the  spring  of  1814,  Mr.  Bronson  became  interested,  for  the  first 
time,  in  the  manufacturing  business.  He  connected  himself,  for  one 
year,  with  the  late  Mark  Leavenworth.  They  made,  with  a  good  profit, 
five  thousand  wooden  cloidis.  In  the  spring  of  1823,  he  became  a  lim- 
ited p:irLner,  in  the  company  of  "A.  Bene<lict,"  for  the  manufiicture  of 
brass  and  gilt  buttons.  Of  the  ^=(5,500  capital,  he  took  $2,000,  and  his 
friends  in  New  Haven,  Nathan  Smilli,  William  I'-ristol  and  David  C 
De  For<>st,  3,000.  He  besides  lent  the  com)>any  money  ajul  sujtplied  it, 
to  a  liiiiiled  extent,  with  credit.  Though  not,  at  that  time,  a  man  of 
large  means,  he  was  better  known  for  his  pecuniary  reliability  than  any 
mau  in  his  neighborhood.    Thus  the  company  started  with  a  good 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


981 


credit-,  which,  under  the  skillful  mniiaijemont  of  the  general  partner,  it 
ever  afterwards  maintained.  His  interest  in  the  business,  carried  on  un- 
der various  names  and  organizations,  continued  till  his  decease. 

When  the  Waterbury  Bank  was  organized  in  1848,  Mr.  li.  was  one 
of  its  most  intluential  friends.  Its  stock  was  taken  up  with  tJie  under- 
standing that  he  was  to  be  its  chief  oilicer.  He  ftubacribed  iargd/  liim- 
self,  and  was  tlie  president  till  his  death. 

From  an  early  period,  the  subject  of  this  notice  was  an  extensive  land 
owner.  Indeed,  farming,'  was  the  only  business,  except  liis  profession,  to 
■which  he  gave  his  personal  attention.  Ue  soon  discovered,  or  rather  re- 
discovered, the  superior  value  of  ilie  river  over  tiie  hill  lands,  and  their 
greater  susceptibility  of  improvement  by  good  husbandry.  While  tlie  lat- 
ter would  yield  say  three  or  four  per  cent,  on  the  buying  price,  the  former 
might  be  readily  made  to  pay  seven  or  eight.  He  declined,  therefore^ 
to  till  his  uplands,  and  bought  in  the  meadows,  adding  to  ids  purchases 
from  year  to  year,  till  he  tinally  owneil  about  one  hundred  acres  up  and 
down  the  Naugatuck  Uiver.  These  lands  were  near  at  hand  and  easily 
worked.  Manure  could  be  got  upon  them  with  much  less  expense  than 
upon  the  uplands.  IJis  first  work  was  to  clear  up  the  bushes  which  had 
been  gradually  estendini,'  from  many  ]»oints,  and  to  fill  up  the  lu>lcs 
with  t)rush-wood  loaded  with  stones.  He  thus  removed  the  impediments 
to  the  current  of  water  which,  in  tlood  time,  had  maile  such  havoc  with 
the  soil.  He  selected  the  more  elevated  and  least  valuable  ground^ 
covered  the  surface  deeply  with  manure,  plowed  and  planted  it  with 
corn,  and  then,  in  the  fall,  sowetl  it  with  rye  and  grass  seed.  Thus  ho 
obtained  exc»-llcnt  crops  of  corn,  rye,  oats  and  grass,  and  nia^le  lands 
which  were  m-arly  worUiless — whieli  had  lain  neglected  tor  a  long  time 
— quite  valuable.  Sometimes  his  plowed  fields  would  get  vvu&hed  bj 
the  tlooils,  but  not  often. 

Mr.  l^ronson's  professional  business,  though  not  extensive,  was  respect- 
able. He  was  a  good  lawyer,  sound,  discriminating,  and  in  early  and 
middle  life  studious.  He  was  confided  in  bv  members  of  the  bar,  and 
as  a  draughtsman  hmi  few  superiors.  He  never  encouraged  litigation, 
and  never  engaged  in  a  suit  which  should  injure  the  rejuitation  of 
an  honest  man.  As  an  advocate,  he  always  addressed  himself  to  the 
point ;  but  his  language  did  not  How  easily  and  was  not  always 
accurate.  His  words  were  not  as  clear  as  his  thoughta ;  and  yet  he 
often  made  an  able  argument. 

Upon  the  bench,  Judge  Bronson  was  thoroughly  competent,  dis- 
charging hia  duties  with  uprightness  and  ability.  His  naturally  strong 
and  discrioiiaaLiug  mind,  and  hi^  thorough  acquaintance  with  legal 


Digitized  by  Google 


882 


EIBTOBT  OV  WATSBBUBT. 


Bcience,  well  fitted  him  for  tliis  position.  No  man  was  better  proof 
against  inq^enious  sophistry ;  less  likely  to  be  imposed  upon  by  rotined 
legal  subtleties.  There  doubtless  have  been  more  learned  jurists;  but 
a  sounder  or  better  judge  has  rarely  sat  in  the  courts  of  this  State- 
This  opinion  prevailed  inside  as  well  as  outside  the  bar.  Conse- 
quently, bis  decisions  commanded  respect. 

As  a  man,  Judge  Bronson  was  known  fur  truth,  fidelity  and  probity 
— for  his  prudence,  good  judgment  and  admirable  common  sense.  For 
truth  he  had  such  veneration  that  he  never  indulged  in  the  common 
luxury  of  exaggeration.  Nor  would  he  speak  carelessly,  in  way  of 
statement,  evon  on  unimportant  matters.  He  did  not  allow  himself  to 
ffuess.  So  far  us  he  knew,  he  would  say,  but  would  not  go  a  step  be- 
yond. No  man  knew  better  the  limits  of  one's  own  knowledge.  If  his 
opinion  was  recjuirod,  ho  would  give  it,  cautiously,  as  a  judgment, 
aware  of  the  responsibility.  lie  did  not  confound  facts  witli  inferences. 
Higitlly  and  exactly  just,  it  is  believed  he  never  took  an  unfair  advantage 
of  the  necessities  of  his  fellow  men,  or  of  his  own  position  or  knowledge.  If 
lie  wished  to  buy,  lie  was  willing  to  give  a  fair  price,  and  if  he  desired  to  sell, 
he  would  a>k  no  more  than  the  thing  was  honestly  worth.  lie  never  cried 
down  another  man's  goods  or  praised  his  own,  in  onler  to  get  a  good 
bargain.  Witli  him,  there  was  no  b^iggling  or  chaff*ering  about  prices. 
What  he  would  do,  ho  said  at  the  beginning,  and  that  wjis  the  end  of 
it.  If  a  person  tried  to  beat  him  down  in  his  price,  he  would  sometimes 
raise  it,  and  then  get  what  he  asked.  If  he  waji  cheated,  he  remem- 
bered it,  and  would  have  no  more  to  do  with  the  cheater.  If  a  man 
tried  to  get  an  undue  advantage,  he  considered  himself  at  liberty  to 
make  him  pay  for  it.  For  instance,  ho  and  another  person,  whom  I 
shall  call  Mr.  A.,  owned  between  them  a  large  amount  of  mixed  proper- 
ty. When  .they  came  to  divide,  they  agreed  to  assort  it,  throw  it  into 
two  parcels  and  then  draw  lots  for  the  parcels.  If  either  did  not  like 
his  Allotment,  he  might  bid  for  a  choice.  The  lot  was  drawn,  and  each 
got  the  parcel  he  desired,  and  the  only  paroel  he  could  use.  This  both 
nndentood.  After  a  minute's  silence,  Mr.  A.  turned  to  Mr.  6.  and 
said— Well,  shall  you  bid r  Mr.  "I  wiU  think  of  it**  Mr. 
*<I  think  I  shall  bid."  Mr.  B.— Well,  what  wiU  you  girer  Mr.  A. 
— ^**Ten  dollara."  Mr.  B. — *^  I  will  take  it,  and  you  shall  have  your 
choice."  Mr.  A^ — "When  will  you  ezeeote  the  necessary  papers T 
Mr.  ^^Kow."  Mr.  ^— **Well,  perhaps  we  will  put  it  off  tall  to- 
morrow." Hie  reanlt  was  aa  had  been  foreseeD.  Mr.  A.  ekom  the 
property  which  had  bean  distributed  to  him  by  lot,  and  paid  the  tea 
dolbui. 


Digitized  by  Google 


883 


Ju<l£^o  Bronson's  opinions  and  judgments  on  common  affairs,  and  on 
all  those  subjects  with  which  bis  life  had  made  bim  familiar,  were  more 
relied  on,  perhaps,  than  those  of  any  man  in  the  section  of  the  State  in 
■which  be  lived.  Few,  for  instance,  could  estimate  with  equal  precision 
the  powers  ami  capacities  and  money  value  of  a  tract  of  land,  with 
which  he  bad  ])een  unacquainted.  He  could  tell  with  great  accuracy 
what  land  would  produce,  and  on  this  knowledge  grouude<J  bis  judg- 
ment. And  this  accuracy  was  extended  to  all  subjects  to  which  he 
gave  bis  attention.  As  appraiser,  arbitrator,  commissioner  and  referee, 
his  services  were  much  sought. 

Judge  B.  was  hard  headed,  rather  incredulous  than  the  contrary, 
and  was  not  often  deceived  by  appearances.  Those  epidemic  excite- 
ments which  overthrow  tlie  reason  and  carry  down  the  masses  did  not 
move  bim.  If  there  was  a  truth  at  the  foundation,  he  usually  found  it 
and  accepted  it,  but  could  see  no  good  from  getting  wild  over  it. 

Mr.  B.  always  liad  a  ta^^te  for  reading.    For  a  resident  of  a  country 
town,  he  had  a  largo  law  library,  and  a  good  collection  of  miscellaneous 
books.    He  was  familiar  with  tbeoloijy,  history  and  politics.    He  stu. 
died  thoroughly  the  masterly  volumes  of  Biwards,  and  was  conversant 
with  Bellamy  and  Dwight.    Chalmers'  essay  on  Christianity,  in  the 
Etlinburgh  Encyclopedia,  he  admired  ;  but  the  later  productions  of  that 
distinguished  author  were  too  gorgeously  ornamented  for  bis  severe 
taste.    As  a  historian  and  writer,  Hume  was  his  pattern-nian.  The 
style  of  Robertson  was  too  much  atlom^d.   Bancroft  was  ambitious  and 
affected  ;  but  Brescott  he  liked.    Few  men  were  belter  acquainted  with 
New  England  history.    He  read  old  Benjamin  Trumbull,  Hutchinson, 
Cotton  Mather ;  and  was  at  home  among  the  chroniclers  of  the  l*uri- 
tan  faith.    He  was  himself  a  Puritan,  and  reverenced  the  stern  simpli- 
city, the  deep  piety  and  unswerving  constancy  of  the  fathers  of  that  sect. 
Of  the  traditional  and  recorddiistory  of  his  native  town — of  the  geneal- 
ogy of  its  old  families — he  knew  far  more  than  anybody  else.  His 
memory  fur  facts,  dates,  numbers  and  statistics  in  general,  w;is  unsur- 
passed. He  liad  a  good  mathematical  mind,  and  would  carry  more  figures 
in  bis  head  than  anybody  the  writer  has  happened  to  know.  He  was  par- 
ticularly well  provided  with  geographical  information.    In  fact,  his  read- 
ing and  in(iuiries  took  a  witle  range.     His  favorite  papers  were  the  old 
Hartford  Courant  and  the  old  Connecticut  Journal.  These  he  read  from 
the  first  to  the  last  line.    After  the  New  York  Observer  was  established 
he  took  that.    In  politics,  he  was  an  unflinching  Federalist,  and  did  not 
live  long  enough  to  repent  of  it.    Wasliington  and  Hamilton  were  liis 
great  men  in  the  general  government.    At  home,  he  associated  himself 


Digitized  by  Google 


384 


BIBTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


with  such  men  as  Nathaniel  Smitli,  llonrcr  Minot  Sherman  an.)  David 
Daggett.  lie  thought  honesty  and  capacity  the  important  qualirications 
of  a  ])ul)lic  ofhi-er.  L)cmago:rues  ami  trading  politicians  he  despised.  He 
flattercil  nobcKly  ;  never  lai  I  aside  liis  principles  for  a  temporary  advan- 
tage ;  never  shaped  his  opinions  to  the  company  he  was  in.  For  these 
reasons,  lie  was  not  popular  with  the  masse-^.  Nor  were  his  mannt-rs 
calculated  to  ingratiate  him  with  the  multitude.  Those  who  knew  him 
well  liked  his  plain  blunt  way ;  but  others  were  repelled  by  it. 

Judge  Bronson  was  a  friend  of  order.  S!ip-.>luHl  ways — looseness  in 
business,  or  statement,  or  opinion,  or  faith,  he  could  ill  tolerate.  lie 
liked  to  see  everything  done  in  an  urthodox  and  jtroper  nianiu-r ;  or  in 
other  words,  "according  to  law."  Thouixh  not  particularly  altaolu-d  to 
forms  and  never  blindt  d  bv  them,  he  still  liked  *'  the  trood  oM  wavs." 
When  it  was  propose*!,  thirty  years  a^o,  to  warm  the  old  me»'liiig  house 
by  stoves,  he  t»p[)osod  it.  When,  ten  years  later,  in  consequence  of  the 
new  fashions  having  crept  into  the  jtlace,  a  general  wish  was  expressed 
that  the  congregation  should  sit  in  prayer  and  stand  during  singing,  he 
objected  to  the  change  mildly — saw  no  reason  for  it,  and  became  a  non- 
conformist. Thenceforth,  he  stood  when  others  sat,  and  sat  when  others 
stood.  At  first,  a  few  old  people  kept  him  company  ;  but  at  length,  he 
was  alone.  lie  took  no  pride  in  being  singular,  but  was  not  afraid  to 
be  so.  Once,  in  a  til  of  abstraction,  he  stood  during  the  reading  of  the 
chapter,  but  this  did  not  discourage  him.  lie  always  went  to  "  meet- 
ing," and  the  appearance  of  his  bolt,  upright  form,  near  the  pulpit,  dur- 
ing the  first  prayer,  will  never  be  forgotten,  lie  united  with  the  church 
of  which  his  father,  grandfather  and  great  g^odfatber  had  been  dea- 
cons, in  Jan.  1833.  lie  was  himself  made  a  deacon,  in  1838,  which 
office  be  held  six  years  and  then  resigned. 

Id  person.  Judge  Bronson  was  tall,  in  early  life  straight  and  athletic, 
about  six  feet  bigh,  witb  sunken  eyes,  shaggy  eye  brows,  a  capacious 
forebead  and  a  swinging  gait.  He  bad  a  good  constitattoii,  and  witb 
few  exceptions,  enjoyed  uninterrupted  bealtb.  In  September,  1850,  be 
waa  taken  slightly  ill,  first  witb  a  boil  upon  tbe  knee.  This  was  follow- 
ed by  erysipelatous  inflammation.  His  fine  physical  powers  gradually 
ga?e  way,  and  be  died  Deo.  lltb,  1850. 

ENOS  BRONSON 

Was  the  el. lest  son  of  Eli  and  Mehitable  (Atwater)  Bronson,  and  was 
born  in  that  part  of  Walerbury,  since  c.nlled  Middlebury,  March  31, 
177  4.  He  was  fust  cousin  of  Isaac  Bronson,  the  financier  and  banker. 
Somewhat  late  in  Ufe,  he  became  connected  with  Yale  Collie  and 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


APrENDIX. 


385 


Ip^tiated  with  diatineUon  in  1708.  I  have  eiamined  in  maniifloripi 
what  appear  to  have  been  some  of  his  college  eierciMa  in  eomposition. 
They  evinoe  the  same  dearness  of  dietion  and  thought  which  distinguish- 
eil  his  writings  Uter  in  life.  After  leaving  ooUege,  he  commenced  the 
study  of  law;  but  in  the  summer  of  1799,  1  find  him  in  Pluladel|^ia, 
He  taught  there,  for  a  time,  the  old  Episcopal  Academy.  Oonoeiving  the 
Idea  of  starting  a  political  paper,  he  entered  into  a  veiy  free  and  some- 
what protracted  oorreapondenee  with  President  Dwigfat  on  the  sub- 
ject As  a  result,  the  United  States  Oasette  of  Philadelphia  was  estab- 
lished, and  he  becwne  its  editor* — a  position  which  he  occupied  till  his 
death.  His  manifesto^  or  declaration  of  principle^  was  published  March 
5, 1801. 

Under  Mr.  Bronson's  management,  the  Gazette  became  the  leading 
newspaper  of  Philadelphia,  and  exercised  a  powerfol  influence  through- 
out the'conntry.  The  editor  was  a  strong  Federalist,  bold  and  fearless 
in  the  expression  of  his  opinions.  Eariy  in  his  career,  he  used  to  write 
to  President  Dwight  for  counsel  and  advice.  The  President,  in  reply, 
counseled  prudence.  In  a  letter,  under  date  of  Februaiy  26, 1801,  he 
said — I  advise  you  to  avoid  exposing  yourself  to  a  prosecution.  There 
ia  reason  to  believe  that  measures  of  this  nature  will,  not  reluctantlyi 
be  pursued ;  and  it  will  be  necessary  for  a  yovmg  writer  to  be  more 
eautious  than  usual.  I  advise  you,  aUo^  by  all  means,  to  do  full  justice 
to  the  [incoming]  administration,  and  to  commend  it  whenever  truth 
will  permit.** 

The  day  after  Mr.  Jeffenon*s  inauguration,  (March  5,  1801,)  Mr. 
Bronson  came  out  with  some  remarks  addreiaed  to  bis  readers,"  con- 
ceived in  the  spirit  of  Dr.  Dwight's  recommendation.  Uo  promised 
to  make  no  factious  opposition  to  the  new  President — *^  Should  Mr. 
JeffiNTMn  [he  said]  commence  his  administration  with  a  view  to  support 
the  constitution  in  its  genuine  spirit  and  energy,  and  to  uphold  the  sys- 
tem established  and  pursued  by  Washikgtok  with  so  much  honor  to 
the  country,  the  Federalists  will  join  hand  and  heart  with  him  and  sup- 
port him  against  the  machinations  of  those  unprincipled  demagogues 
who  have  already  reviled  and  belied  the  character  and  administration 
of  Washinoton,  and  are  now  struggling  to  raise  Uienuelves  to  wealth 
and  importance  upon  the  ruins  of  the  government  itself. " 

Mr.  Bronson  was  an  earnest  Federalist  and  able  political  writer.  He* 
found  occasion  to  oppcee  Mr.  Jefferson*s  admbistration,  and  he  did  it 


*  TIm  Diuae  of  Um  bortnwt  flm  wm,  for  %  UflM,  Brouon  k  Chkoiicejr.  Mr.  OhamMey^  wuutr 
Ml  la  UMSm  IB  JSSBw 

25 


Digitized  by  Google 


3S6 


HUTOBT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


with  a  will.  Ha  denoniiood  the  Bwnoentio  puty  nd  its  leidcn^  h 
unmeMaried  t«ma  He  wia  s  matter  of  irony,  isreani  and  isTeotirf^ 
and  wai  not  always  free  from  penonalitiee.  Ahoat  the  time  cC  tht 
declaraftloii  of  war  against  Great  Britain,  party  spirit  ran  higher,  p«- 
hapa,  than  hea  sinoe  heen  hnown  ta  this  ooontry.  In  Baltimore,  a  riot 
oocorred,  and  the  printing  oflke  of  a  Federal  new^per  was  deetrojed. 
Mr.  Broneon*a  office  was  threatened  with  a  eiarilar  fiite.  He  received 
many  anoaymoos  letters^  wamiiig  him  of  his  danger.  Some  were  from 
eoeoiies  threatening  to  serre  him  as  some  of  hie  party  in  Baltimore  had 
heen  eerred,  if  he  did  not  deeist  from  his  ahose  of  the  admiaistiatioe 
and  the  DemoeratSe  leaden.  Othersy  apparently  friends^  eonoaeled 
moderation  and  diecsretion.  These  letters,  gathered  into  a  handle 
and  indoeed  in  a  wrapper,  are  now  before  me.  On  the  wrapper  ii 
written,  in  the  hand  of  the  reeeSver,  **  Qood  Advice,  or  wholeeome  Lee- 
eons  on  Pmdence."  On  one  oocaeion,  the  Gaiette  office  was  threetea- 
ed,  and  a  night  appointed  tat  ite  deetruetion.  On  that  mght,  Dr.  Cbep- 
man,  Charies  Ohanneej,  Horace  Binney,  Dr.  Bird  Wileoo,  John  B. 
Walh^e,  Thomas  Biddle  (all  intioMte  friends  of  Mr.  Bronson)  ttod 
others  are  stated  to  have  stood  gnard  ia  and  aronnd  the  menaced  bniid- 
ing,  prepared  to  reiist  an  attack. 

Mr.  Bronson  wrote  with  great  vigor  and  ^feetnee%  in  a  pnre^  lueid 
and  simple  etyle,  wielding  old  Saxon  with  great  effect  In  reference  to 
his  habits  of  compoeition.  Dr.  Natbaniel  Gbapasan  is  affirmed  to  have 
eaid  that  hU  editorials  were  written  in  hia  offioe,  while  he  was  surround* 
ed  by  friends  engaged  in  political  diacuauone,  in  which  he  would  at  is- 
tervals  join.  When  the  printer'a  devil  came  down  for  more  oopj,  he 
would  tear  off  the  eheet  on  which  he  waa  writti^  at  the  last  woid,  ad- 
dom  finding  it  necessary  to  make  the  amallest  oorreetion.  Dr.  <%sp- 
man  was  his  fiunily  physician,  and  told  a  friend  that  he  w»  the  only 
yankee  he  ever  knew  who  never  learned  the  value  of  money. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Bronson  became  eonneeted  with  the  Gaiette^  the 
office  issued,  under  his  supervision,  an  editk>n  of  William  Besooe^  Life 
of  Lorenao  do  Medkn.  One  object  of  the  undertaking  was  to  enltivate 
in  the  Amerioan  mind  a  taste  for  literature  and  hiatoiy.  The  pnbBca- 
tion  led  to  aeorreqtondenoe  with  Mr.  Boeooet  and  to  the  sabeeqnent 
issue  from  the  Gaaette  offioeof  an  edition  of  Leo  Z,  by  the  same  author. 
The  oorrsepondenoe^  which  b  in  my  posseesion,  is  honorable  to  both 
parties. 

.  Mr.  Bronson  married,  la  Philadelphia,  Maiy  White,  a  daughter  of 
the  late  Bishop  White,  by  whom  he  had  five  daughters  and  two  sons. 
But  two  of  them  are  now  living;  one  the  widow  of  the  late  Proftasor 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX 


887 


H.  BMd  wh6  was  Iot(  In  th«  Aretie ;  the  other  the  Re?.  William  White 
Bromon,  an  Epinoopal  deigyman,  now  of  Reading  Ridge,  Conn. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  died  April  1 7,  1 823.  Immediatelj  after- 
waidii  the  foUowing  notioe  appeared  in  the  Baltimore  Chroniele : 

"  Then  buret  a  noble  heart. It  waa  with  peculiiir  and  {minful  awakening  of 
old  reminiscences,  while  turning  over  the  Philadelphia  papers  of  yeaterday  morn- 
ing, that  we  dIseoYered  thedMtbof  BiMMBMiiMmanaoiiiieedfflmBerij  the  edUtor 
of  the  United  BtalM  Guette.  Under  an  extrnne  ooMntm  of  nenner,  naionatiof 
almost  to  an  appMrance  of  apathy,  dwelt  a  warm  and  benevolent  heart,  aliTe  to 
all  the  tender  impulses,  blended  with  uncommon  boIdnc^H  and  decision.  His  char- 
acter reminds  ua  of  those  tracLs  of  mountninous  country  described  by  geogra- 
pbers,  where,  passing  from  the  region  of  frost  and  snow,  we  discover  verdure,  glit- 
tering cascades,  and  all  tlu>  forma  of  vernal  beantj.  KiiiMtnne  conld  make  him 
wretched,  bnt  oonid  notnalco  Mm  dlihoneet.  Hie  nunner,  bit  conntenanoe,  Ue 
pereooal  appearance,  are  btoogbt  so  forcibl j  to  our  fiuiey,  that  It  requires  some 
effort  to  believe  him  now  a  cold,  aiolionleei,  •  ipeeehleee  coipee,  elumbering  be- 
neath the  aodfl  of  the  raUey. 

D£A.  JAMES  liliOWN 

Was  a  lOD  of  Stephen  and  Banioe  (Loomis)  Brown,  and  was  bom  in 
Windsor,  Dee.  1776.  He  learned  of  his  fiither  the  trade  of  a  blaok- 
smith,  and  at  the  ^ge  of  twenty-one,  removed  to  CanUm.  where  he  re- 
mained one  year.  He  then  eame  to  Waterbory  and  made  an  engage- 
ment with  lient.  Ard  Welton,  who  mannihctnred  iire  arms  in  the  Saw- 
mill Plain  District,  at  the  plaee  now  or  leoently  owned  by  Shennan 
BroDSon.  After  about  two  yeaia^  he  lemoved  into  the  village,  where 
he  labored  at  his  trade  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Mr.  Brown  in  eariy  life  oonneoted  himself  with  a  militaty  company, 
and  finally  became  the  colonel  of  his  legiment  He  was  an  oi%faial 
partner  in  the  third  rolHng  mill  which  waa  erected  in  Waterbnry,  in 
1880,  afterwards  known  as  the  Brown  4  Elton  Go.,  and  oontinned  in 
the  connection  till  his  decease.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  Congre- 
gational chnrdi  and  ww  made  a  deacon  in  1818.  He  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  maaonie  order. 

Dea.  Brown  was  remarkable  for  his  truth,  industry  and  sobriety.  He 
was  a  most  exemplary  man,  feitbfol  in  all  the  relations  of  life.  Long 
after  his  frugal  habits  and  success  in  business  had  secured  him  a  compe- 
tency, he  continued  to  labor  in  his  calling,  believing  he  conld  thus  best 
fulfill  the  ends  of  existence.  He  was  a  constimt  attendant  upon  the 
services  and  duties  of  the  church,  with  which  he  wu  connected  thirty 
years.  He  died  in  1848. 


Digitized  by  Google 


888 


HIBTORT  OF  WATEKBU&T 


CALVIN  BUTLER 

Was  born  in  Wolcott,  Oct.  6,  1772;  removed  in  childhood  with  his 
parents  to  New  Marlborough,  Mass. ;  entered  Williams  Colleire  in  1795, 
but  took  a  dismission  at  the  end  of  sophomore  year ;  read  law  at  Nor- 
walk  with  E<lmund  Akins  and  Augustus  Petti  bono,  Esquires;  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  of  Litchfield  County  in  December,  1799  ;  commenc- 
ed practice  in  North  Canaan,  Conn.,  but  removed  in  Febniarv,  1801.  to 
Bristol,  and  in  1806,  to  Plymouth;  was  a  state  representative  .«everal 
limes  in  1815  and  afterwards  ;  was  a  member  of  the  constitutional  con- 
vention in  1818;  a  state  senator  in  1832  ;  judge  of  probate  fruin  1832 
to  1842,  and  a  judge  of  the  Litchfield  County  Court  in  1839.  lie 
died  several  years  since. 

RKV.  AARON  BUTTON, 

Tlie  son  (the  youngest  of  nine  children)  of  Thomas  and  Anne  (Rice) 
Dutton,  was  born  in  that  part  of  Waterbury,  which  is  now  Wat«*rtowD, 
May  21,  1780.  He  pursued  his  classical  studies  under  the  direction  ot 
Rev.  Azel  Backus  of  Belhlem ;  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1803;  wa? 
instructed  in  Theology  by  President  Dwitxlit ;  was  lic  ense  to  preach  in 
Oct.  1805,  and  ordained  Dec.  10,  1805,  as  pastor  of  the  First  church 
and  society  in  Guilford.  He  resigned  his  charge  June  8,  1842,  mainly 
on  account  of  a  ditierence  of  opinion  between  himself  and  his  people 
on  slavery.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Corporation  of  Vale  College  from 
1825  till  his  decease. 

A  few  months  after  his  separation  from  his  people,  he  went,  in  the 
service  of  the  Home  Missionary  Society,  to  Iowa,  (then  a  Territory,) 
and  was  invited  to  settle  over  the  church  and  society  of  Burlington. 
When  about  to  return  to  New  England  to  make  arrangements  for  a 
permanent  removal  to  the  West,  he  was  taken  sick.  He  reached  New 
Haven  with  difficulty,  and  had  a  long  and  dangerous  illness,  from  which 
he  never  completely  recovered.  He  died  in  June,  1849,  and  was  buried 
in  the  midst  of  his  former  peoj)le  in  Guilford.  His  wife,  Dorcas, 
(daughter  of  Samuel  Southmayd  of  Watertown,)  to  whom  he  was  mar- 
ried in  April,  1806,  died  in  Sept.  1841. 

Mr.  Dutton  was  an  earnest,  faithful  and  fearless  man,  respected 
among  the  churches,  and  true  in  all  the  relations  of  life.  He  was  an 
early  and  consistent  friend  of  temperance  and  einancipalion,  and  wa?> 
ready  to  suffer,  if  need  be,  in  the  discharge  of  what  he  esteemed  his 
duty.  He  published  a  few  sermons,  and  was  a  contributor  to  the  old 
Christian  Spectator. 


Digitized  by  Coogk 


APPENDIX, 


389 


REV.  MATTHEW  KICE  DUTION, 

Tb«  son  of  Thomas,  «id  the  grandson  of  Dot.  Thomas  Button,  waa 
born  in  Watertown,  (Westhnry  pariah,)  June  80,  1788.   When  about 
eleven  yean  of  age,  hia  fiuber  removed  to  Northbury  pariah,  and  thence 
in  two  yean  mora,  to  Northfieldi  in  the  town  of  Litdifteld.  At  the  age 
of  seventeen, he  enterad  the  law  office  of  ^hnim  Eirby  cf  Litchfield; 
bni  in  eonaequenoe  of  bad  eyes  and  broken  health,  he  waa  obliged  to 
abandon  hia  atudies.  He  afterwaida  changed  hia  plana  and  concluded 
to  enter  Yale  College^  whera  he  graduated  with  high  honor,  in  1808. 
He  then  took  chafge  of  the  Academy  in  Fairfield,  and  after  n  year 
joiaed  the  Theological  Seminary  of  Andover.   From  1810  to  1814,  he 
wasatutorin  Tale  College,  suflering  severely  all  the  time  from  weak  eyea^ 
Mr.  Dutton  waa  ordained  paator  of  the  churdi  in  Strstftml  in  the 
autnm  of  1814,  where  he  remuned,  universally  beloved,  till  hia  election 
to  the  profeaaonhip  of  Mathemstica  and  Natural  Philosophy  in  Tale 
College,  in  the  fidl  of  1821.  He  accepted  the  appointment,  and  devoted 
himaelf  with  ardor  to  hia  dutiea.  Mi^emadca  waa  his  fiivoriis  study. 
His  oonstittttion,  always  delicate,  waa  not  equal  to  his  labon.  "The 
houra  of  deep  were  spent,  apparently  with  great  satisfaction  to  himaelf, 
in  solving  difficult  theorems  in  Mathemntios,  or  abatruse  queationa  in 
Metaphysics.  Ko  physical  machinery  could  have  laated  long  under 
auch  constant  pressure."*  His  physical  powen  were  soon  prostrated,  and 
he  died  in  July,  1825.  His  funeral  aermon  waa  preached  by  Pkofeesor 
Fitch. 

Professor  Dutton  waa  married,  soon  after  he  became  a  pastor  in  Strat- 
ford, to  Maria,  daughter  of  Dr.  Asa  Hopkins  of  Hartford,  by  whom  he 
had  two  sons.  His  widow  and  sons  still  survive. 

ALMON  FARRELL. 

lie  was  the  son  of  Zeba  Farrell  of  Waterbury.  He  learned  of  his 
father  the  trade  of  a  mill-wrigbt,  and  for  many  yean  waa  the  leading 
mill-wright,  machinist,  engineer,  builder  and  contractor,  in  hia  line,  in 
the  Naugatuck  Valley.  There  is  probably  no  man  in  the  State  who 
has  superintended  the  construction  of  so  many  first  class  mills  and  man- 
u&ctnring  establishments.  He  was  noted  for  the  strength  and  perma- 
nency of  his  work.  Monuments  of  his  skill  may  be  seen  in  Waterbury, 
Seymour,  Ansonia,  Birmingham,  Plymouth  Hollow,  Wolcottville,  Bris- 
tol, Westville,  Pequonnock,  Newtown,  &c  At  the  time  of  his  death,  he 


*  See  Spraive*!  AbmIs  of  the  Amerleui  Polpll. 


Digitized  by  Google 


B90 


mnORY  OF  WATSBBUBT. 


had  a  large  oontraot  io  Chicago,  III.  Whatever  be  put  his  band  to  was 
carried  through  soooessfully ;  not  alwaji  ineipeoiiTelj,  but  with  good 
judgment  and  thoioogh  workmanship. 

Mr.  Fanell  was  a  self  taught  man,  whose  success  was  owii^  tobb 
own  native  genius,  and  whose  services  in  building  up  the  manufactur- 
ing iiiiereste  io  bis  native  town  and  the  Naugatuck  Valley  could  hardly 
have  been  dispensed  with.  He  died  in  the  prinse  of  liiii  and  the  midsi 
of  bis  usefulnessi  May  81,  1857. 

DEA.  THOMAS  FENN, 

The  son  of  Thomas  Fenn,  was  born  in  Wallingford  in  1735,  and  reraove.i 
to  Westbury  in  early  life  with  his  father.  April  19,  1760,  he  married 
Abi,  (or  Abiah,)  daughter  of  Richard  Welton  of  Waterbury,  by  whom 
he  had  six  sons  and  two  daughters.  He  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  and  a  reprc.-ientative,  first  from  Waterbury  and  next  from 
Watertown,  in  all,  thirty -five  sessions,  beginning  in  1778.  He  was  also 
a  justice  of  the  peace  and  a  deacon  of  the  Congregational  church  of 
Watertown  for  many  years.  Through  a  long  life  he  was  an  influen* 
iial  and  much  respected  oitixen.  He  died  Aug.  1, 1818. 

EBENEZER  FOOTE. 

He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Capt  John  Foote  by  his  second  wife,  Man- 
Peck.    He  was  born  in  Westbury,  July  6,  1773,  on  the  farm  on  wLiob 
his  grandfather,  Dr.  Thomas  Foote,  first  settled  in  1 736,  which  his  father 
owned  and  which  still  remains  in  the  family,  being  now  iu  the  posflei^sion  | 
of  Hubert  Scovill.  His  father  was  an  industrious  and  successful  fanner, 
and  died  July  5,  1809,  aged  66  years.    His  eldest  sister  by  the  same  , 
mother  married  Thomas  J.  Davies  of  Watertown,  aftewards  of  St  Law- 
rence County,  N.  Y.,  who  were  the  parents  of  the  first  wife  of  tlie  laie 
William  H.  Scovill  of  Waterbury.   His  next  younger  brother,  John,  re- 
ceived a  liberal  education,  was  a  man  of  brilliant  parts^  studied  the  pro- 
fession of  law,  which  he  had  not  health  to  pursue,  and  died  at  his  i 
father's  house  in  1806,  aged  31. 

Ebenezer  worked  on  the  farm  till  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  it  being 
the  intention  of  his  father  that  he  should  be  the  farmer  of  the  family. 
At  this  time,  however,  he  changed  his  purpose.  He  desired  to  acquire 
an  education  and  to  enter  the  l^al  profession,  his  brother  John,  at  that 
period,  expecting  to  become  a  minister.  His  parents  did  not  oppose  his 
wishes,  and  after  the  farm  work  of  the  season  was  over,  in  the  fall  of 
1792,  he  went  to  Cheshire  and  began  his  classical  studies  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  Rev.  John  Foot,  the  Congregational  minister  of  that  town, 


i 


Digitized  by  Google 


Appnmix.  891 

with  ft  view  of  joiniag  tlie  sophomore  or  jvnior  cIaas  ofeolkfe  For 
■Mrlj  two  years  be  devoted  bie  time  to  tbete  ttudies,  and  to  teaching 
aehool  for  tbe  purpOM  of  paying  expenses.  Fmding  it  required  a  laige 
ebare  of  bie  time  to  earn  tbe  meana  of  support,  and  that  a  regular  col- 
lege coarse  would  delay,  for  several  yean,  tbe  period  of  bis  entering  the 
profosnon,  be  eonctuded  to  abandon  tbe  stndiee  be  was  then  pursaing, 
and  to  enter  at  onee  bis  ebosen  pttmrit  Aeeordingly,  be  joined  tbe 
celebrated  bw  lebool  in  Idteblield,  then  under  tbe  ebarge  of  tbe  Hon. 
Tapping  Reeve,  with  wbieb  be  was  connected  two  years,  though  be  was 
obliged  still  to  devote  a  part  of  bis  time  to  school-keeping.  In  Decem- 
ber, 1796,  be  was  admitted  to  tbe  bar  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  and 
removed  to  Lansingburgb,  Benmelaer  Co^  N.  T.  In  the  eneuing  Feb- 
ruary be  sold  the  land  which  bis  ikther  had  given  him  on  reaching  his 
majority,  and  wbieb  be  bad  reserved  for  an  emergency,  and  devoted  tbe 
proceeds  to  tbe  purchase  of  an  outfit  for  professional  life. 

After  the  study  of  a  few  months,  or  in  Nov.  1797,  be  was  admitted 
to  tbe  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Rensselaer  Coun^,  and  soon  after  to 
tbe  other  and  higher  courts  of  the  State.  **  A  strong  constitution,  a 
large  and  vigorous  frame,  a  full  and  manly  voice,  a  mature  intellect,  a 
ready  and  rough  wit,  t<^ether  with  uncommon  i^elf-reliance,  fitted  bim 
for  Buocess  in  the  profession  he  had  chosen,"  and  he  obtained  it  at  once. 
He  early  acquired  the  confidence  of  the  old  Republican  party  of  his 
adopted  State,  and  became  an  active  and  influential  member  <ii  \L  In 
consequence  of  the  friendship  and  intimacy  which  existed  betwMn  him 
and  the  late  CUief  Justice  Spencer,  tbe  ruling  spirit  of  tbe  party  at  that 
day,  bis  politieni  opponents  used  to  call  him  Spencei'e  Foote."  As 
eariy  as  1801,  Mr.  Foote  had  acquired  considerable  reputation  in  his 
profbssion,  and  attracted  the  notice  and  obtained  the  friendship  of  Gov. 
Geoige  Clinton.  So  high  an  estimate  did  tbe  Governor  put  on  bis  tal- 
ents and  worth,  that  in  August  of  the  year  named  he  caused  him  to  be 
appointed  assistant  attorney-general  A)r  the  district  comprehending  the 
COanUes  of  Rensselaer,  Columbia  and  Greene.  The  duties  of  this  office, 
requiring  high  professional  talents,  Mr.  Foote  disehaiged  for  several 
years,  and  with  entire  satisfaction  to  the  public 

In  proeees  of  time,  Mr.  Foote  removed  to  Troy,  the  shire  town  of  the 
county,  and  more  ndvnntageously  situated  for  business  than  Lansing- 
burgh.  Soon  after  his  change  of  residence,  he  entered  into  copartner- 
ship with  John  Bird,  Esq.,  which  lasted  for  several  years.  Tlie  early 
death  of  Mr.  Bird,  a  gentleman  of  brilliant  intellect  and  finished  scholar- 
sbip,  dissolved  it.  After  that,  Mr.  Foote  pursued  his  profession  alone  for 
some  time;  but,  finding  that  hb  extensive  practaoe  in  the  courts  render- 


Digitized  by  Google 


892 


HIBTOBT  OP  WATIBBUBT. 


ed  it  impossible  to  give  the  requisite  atteotion  to  the  attorney's  business 
in  the  office,  he  formed  a  new-  connection.  Thenceforth,  he  acted  m 
counselor  and  advocate,  his  partner  staying  iu  the  office  performing  the 
duties  of  attorney  and  solicitor.  They  did  a  large  and  very  prosperoua 
business.  In  1808,  however,  the  partnership  was  dissolved,  and  Mr. 
Foote  removed  to  Albany,  the  capital  of  the  Stale,  on  account  of  the 
greater  facilities  it  atforded  for  the  practice  of  his  profession.  There  he 
continued  till  his  dealli,  having  generally  a  junior  partner  in  his  office. 
During  this  period,  he  took  an  active  j»art  in  politics,  and  was  an  ardent 
and  able  supporter  of  the  principles  of  his  party,  lie  wrote  for  the 
press,  and  his  influence  as  a  politician  kept  pace  with  his  professional 
reputation.  On  one  occasion,  he  was  a  prominent  candidate  for  Uuiied 
States  Senator,  with  a  prospect  of  election ;  but  his  friends  did  not  soc- 
ceed  in  tiieir  object. 

In  July,  1814,  Mr.  Foote  atlen.lcd  the  Circuit  Court  of  Rens-elni-r 
County,  held  in  Troy,  and  was  engaged  in  several  important  trials,  liis 
temperament  was  ardent  and  the  weather  unusually  warm.  A  bilious 
fever  came  on,  perhaj»s  as  the  conseijuence  of  over-exertion.  lie  return- 
ed home,  obtained  medical  aid,  and  nothing  serious  was  apprehended 
for  several  days.  But  on  tlie  fourth  or  fifth  day  of  his  illnes^s,  the  dis- 
ease lie^an  to  assume  an  alarming  aspect.  It  terminated  fatally,  after  a 
violent  and  painful  struggle,  which  his  robust  constitution  maintaiueu  lor 
hours,  on  the  2l8t  of  the  month  and  twelfth  day  of  his  sickness. 

Mr.  Foote  was  a  large  man,  full  six  fet  t  in  height,  with  a  well  formed, 
muscular  and  manly  frame  and  a  good  constitution. 

Mr.  Foote  had  a  strong  and  active  min<l,  and  "  had  he  enjoyed  the 
advantages  of  an  early  and  thorough  edut^alion,  would  have  had  few 
equals  in  this  country.  As  he  was,  he  had  no  superiors  in  the  State  of 
his  adoption  in  those  contests  at  the  bar  where  ready  wit,  strong  and 
discriminating  judgment,  powerful  reasoning  and  great  intellectual  re- 
sources were  essential  to  suc<  ess.  He  excelled  particularly  in  trials  be- 
fore juries,  lie  wrote  as  he  spoke,  with  vigor  ajid  wit,  but  without  tlie 
elegance  or  polish  of  a  finished  scholar.  A  brief  notice  like  the  present 
will  not  permit  a  reference  to  any  of  the  important  causes  in  >\hich  he 
was  enga^'ed,  nor  extracts  from  his  speeches,  n)any  of  wLidi  were  pub- 
lished in  the  newsj)aper8  and  ]»anij)lilets  of  the  day,  nor  even  a  recital  of 
the  many  anecdotes  told  of  him,  but  whicli  show  the  force  and  briiliancjr 
of  his  unpolished  but  exhaustless  and  spicy  wit.** 

Mr.  Foote  had  a  warm  and  generous  heart,  and  was  more  ready  to 
help  his  relations  and  friends  than  provide  for  himself,     lie  was  liberal 
to  A  faul  t.    lie  contributed  freely  iu  aid  of  his  brother,  Samuel  Alfred^ 


Digitized  by  CiOOgDe 


APFKNDIX. 


893 


ia  obiuoinG:  an  adncitioii;  and  though  the  latter  afterwards  repaid  hia 
advaaees  with  interflat,  they  ware  not  noMle  with  the  aipectation  of  any 

return. 

Mr.  Footers  name  deaeires  to  be  mentioned  in  connection  with  ilia 
Albany  Female  Academy,  which  has  long  been  one  of  the  most  impor- 
tant institutions  of  the  kind  in  ibis  country.  It  was  establiihed  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1814,  under  the  name  of  "Union  Sdiool  in  Montgomery  street." 
Mr.  Foote  atarted  the  prcjeet  and  obtained  luoet  of  the  subeciiptions.* 

REV.  LUTH£R  UaBT. 

The  son  of  David  and  Hannah  (Hudson)  Hart,  waa  bom  in  Goshen, 
Conn.,  July  27, 17d3.  Hi^  parents  were  persons  of  worth  and  respect- 
ability, and  his  mother  a  woman  of  a  superior  mind,  descended  from  a 
family  of  Long  Island.  In  childhood,  he  waa  distinguished  for  his  fond- 
ness of  boohs,  his  fiiciHty  of  learning  and  his  love  of  music.  In  his 
sixteenth  year,  he  became  religious,  joined  the  chnrch  in  Torrington, 
where  the  family  than  resided,  and  felt  a  desire  to  enter  the  ministry. 
The  expense^  however,  was  an  effectual  barrier  to  hia  deairea;  and  he 
remained,  contentedly,  at  home^  and  learned  of  hia  firther  the  trade  of  a 
housC'Carpenter.  In  the  mean  time,  he  became  familiar  with  the  rudi- 
ments of  an  English  education,  and  obtained  an  intimate  knowledge  of 
men  and  thinga — of  human  nature,  as  seen  in  the  affairs  of  common  life 
—of  which  deigymen,  aa  a  class,  are  lamentably  defident  His  trade 
he  never  foigot  He  continued  to  exercise  his  skill  aa  a  worker  in  wood 
through  life^uring  his  early  and  preparatory  studies,  for  the  profit,  and 
at  a  later  period,  for  exercise  and  recreation.  Only  a  few  months  before 
his  death,  he  put  his  house  in  complete  repair,  making  several  alterations 
to  add  to  its  convenience,  and  doing  the  work  mostly  with  his  own 
hands.f 

Late  in  1802,  or  early  in  1808,  Mr.  Hart  commenced  a  course  of 
study  preparatory  for  college,  under  the  direction  of  his  pastor,  Rev. 
Alexander  Gillet;  and  in  September  of  the  latter  year,  became  a  mem- 
ber of  Tale  College.  He  at  once  took  a  hig^  rank  as  a  scholar;  and 
at  his  graduation  in  1807,  received  one  of  the  highest  honors  of  the  in- 
stitution, having  the  appointment  of  orator.  The  succeeding  year,  he 
spent  in  Litchfield,  South  Farms,  aa  teacher  of  the  Academy,  and  then 
commenced  his  theological  studies  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Porter  of  Wash- 


*  For  the  n  ntrrFiiiA  of  this  itolflh,!  MB  iBd^lad  to  sMogmphlMl  Botlc*  bi  Ooodwlali  GcBt- 
alOfjr  of  the  Fout«  Famtljr. 

t  8m  •  •ketch  Of  tlM  Lite  Md  ObuMtar  Of  a«  Btr.  InllMr  Burt,  la  tht  4|Mrtei|r  OSrMln 
flpMlBlor  br8apC«mk«r,]8S4,wliUhIliftT«aNdfltaal7ltt  lh«  pnpftratlMi  of  ttili  B«tte«. 


Digitized  by  Google 


894 


BI8T0BT  09  VAISBBUBT. 


iogton,  Conn.  Soon  aftor,  how0?6r,  bt  weot  to  ihe  aeminaiy  at  Ando- 
Ter,  Mass.,  finished  his  preparatory  course,  and  w«t  of  the  first  cUaa  of 
its  graduates.  A  short  iotmal  passed,  and  he  was  invited  to  preach 
in  Plymouth,  where  he  was  ordained  and  installed  over  the  Congrega- 
tional church  and  society  io  September,  1810,  and  where  he  remained 
till  his  death.  The  society  was  somewhat  distracted,  at  the  time,  in 
consequence  of  a  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  merits  of  difierent  can- 
didates; but  all  became  united  and  harmonious,  in  a  ^ort  period, 
under  his  ministry.  The  year  after  his  settlement,  he  married  Minerva, 
the  only  daughter  of  Gen.  Daniel  and  ilsrths(Hamaston)  Potter.  She 
stilt  survives. 

The  following  extract  from  tlie  article  in  the  Christian  Spectator  de- 
scribes graphically  some  of  Mr.  Hart's  characteristic  traits : 

Together  with  rich  and  various  learninfr,  nnd  habits  strictly  intolloctual,  he 
had  an  uncommon  measure  of  native  sagacity — a  kind  of  intuitive  discerniuent  of 
character— and  quick  sense  of  propriety.  He  had  al«o  a  lovely  temper  and  a 
warm  and  generona  heart  He  called  himaelf  impetaoQa--lie  was  really  ardent— 
yet  his  aelf-govenuaeiit»lbr  aught  that  appeared,  was  imiformand  complete.  The 
qmiUlj,  however,  which,  more  than  almost  any  other,  was  prominent  in  him,  and 
will  most  readily  8uppp?t  it.«olf  to  his  acquaintancefl,  with  the  mention  of  his  name, 
was  his  sprightline^s  of  fani  v,  his  aptness  for  ph'nsant  and  humorous  HA!»ociation.s 
and  delicately  keen  and  pithy  8uiire.  At  the  wiinc  time,  he  wa.**  not  found  in  ihis 
respect,  either  tranagresring  the  hw  of  kindneaSi  or  sbking  the  dignity  of  Ihe 
Christian  or  nlidateilal  charaeter.  One  would  be  often  stmek  wHh  the  rapid  and 
easy  manner  in  which  he  would  glide  away  from  the  bsppiest  ^ixWica  of  pleaaaat* 
ry  itito  the  moat  serioiis  and  tender  strain  of  religious  remark.  There  was  often, 
too,  a  nieanitip  in  his  tunes  and  nioduhitions  of  voice,  in  the  cast  of  his  eye.  and 
the  entire  exprciuion  of  his  countenance,  which  words  could  not  convey.  Io 
general  it  may  be  said  of  bin,  that  his  good  amse,  his  pleasant  wit,  his  fond  of 
knowledge,  his  opennesa  and  beidgnity  of  heart,  and  his  nnaffected  and  eonristent 
piety,  made  him  a  most  engaging  frtoid  and  compaiUon,  and  his  house  an  erer- 
loTed,  as  it  was  an  ever-welcome  resort.  One  who  was  his  companion  in  youth, 
and  more  intimately  conversant  with  him  in  professional  life  than  almost  any 
Other,  has  said  of  him — "  I  always  found  it  impossible  to  be  long  with  him,  with- 
ont  feeling  myself  to  be  in  the  presence  of  a  great  and  good  man ;  and  yet  with 
his  frienda,  as  Is  wdl  known,  he  often  manifested  the  playftdness  and  almpltcity  of 
a  chUd." 

Mr.  Hart  was  an  intorestlnnr  and  able  preacher.  Few  in  the  part  of 
the  State  in  which  he  lived  were  so  generally  acceptable.  The  writer  well 
remembers  the  lively  pleasure  with  which  his  presenco  used  to  be  greet- 
ed in  the  pulpit  of  iiis  own  parish,  thirty-five  years  ago.  lie  would  fix  the 
attention  of  all  classes — a  certain  evidence  of  talent — and  would  utter 
sentences  which  penetrated  the  mind  and  burned  in  the  heart   At  the 


Digitized  by  Google 


AFFBNDIX. 


895 


same  timei  be  wm  dignified  and  deeofone,  retorting  to  no  etratageme, 
practicing  no  deception.  Hie  eermone  were  tliovo«i^hly  iludied,  but  in 
%h9  latter  part  of  bis  life,  not  written  at  lengtb.  Tbey  were  or^nal 
in  tbonght,  compact  and  dear  in  aignment,  nenrom  in  ezpmnon  and 
aimpte  in  language. 

In  eonveruitionf  Mr.  GUurt  was  lively,  eaey  and  IbmiHar,.  witb  an 
abundant  flow  of  apiritai  patting  tboie  in  bie  company  in  tbe  tame  frame 
of  mind.  Hie  lalKet  of  wit,  bit  pleaeantriet,  bit  piquancy  and  original- 
ity, bia  bomely  and  often  quaint  exprettiom^  combined  with  bit 
artlettnett  and  kindneta  of  manner,  made  bit  eoeiety  eieeedingly 
agreeable. 

In  the  year  1818,  Mr.  Hart  wat  amociated  wiib  Dr.  Tyler,  Dr.  Tay. 
lor,  Profeaeor  Goodrich  and  one  or  two  otben,  u>  a  committee  for  the 
publication  of  certain  doctrinal  tracta.  He  wrote  tbe  third  of  the  seriet, 
a  tract  of  forty- three  pages,  entitled,  Plain  Reasons  for  relying  on 
Pretbyterian  Ordination,"  in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  of  which  one  compe- 
tent to  judge,  remarks — We  doubt  whether  the  language  affords  a 
better  manual  for  common  Chrittiana,  on  tbit  much  agitated  subject** 
This  enterprite  led,  in  another  year,  to  the  establishment  of  the  Chritt- 
ian  Spectator,  to  some  of  the  early  volumes  of  which  be  wat  an  import* 
ant  contributor.  When  this  periodical,  a  few  yean  later,  became  the 
Quarterly  Christian  Spectator,  be  continued  his  connection  with  it,  and 
furnished  foritaeveral  able  and  interesting  articles.  For  the  June  num* 
ber  of  1830,  he  prepared  the  Review  on  the  Early  biatoiy  of  the  Con- 
gregatiooal  Churchet  in  New  England."  In  the  next  number,  appeared 
his  review  of  Bellamy,  entitled  ^Review  of  True  Religion  Delineated.** 
In  June,  183.3,  he  furnished  ilie  paper  called  "View  of  thi-  lulijxious 
Declension  in  New  England  during  tbe  latter  half  of  the  Eighteenth 
Century  \^  and  in  September  of  the  same  year,  ttie  article  on  the  Char- 
acter and  Writingt  of  Dr.  Strong.**  These  four  articles,  making  over 
one  hundred  pnges,  are  consecutive  portions  of  a  complete  history  of 
tbe  religiout  declensioot  and  revivals  in  New  England  during  the  eight- 
eenth century,  and  prttent,  it  bat  been  said,  a  more  clear  and  authentic, 
and  more  comprebentiTe  and  complete  account  than  it  to  he  fouml  else- 
where in  the  same  compass.  The  whole  wat  tbe  retult  of  a  very 
laborious  and  thorough  investigation. 

Mr.  Hart  was  a  Fellow  of  Yale  College,  and  died,  leaving  no  child- 
n^n,  April  25,  1834.  Uit  funeral  wat  attended,  on  the  28th,  '^amidst 
the  bursting  grief  of  a  large  concourse  of  ministers,  and  other  friends, 
from  the  adjoining  towna,  together  with  the  bereaved  church  and  people 
of  bit  chaige.  Few  peieont  have  ever  witnetsed  a  more  deep  and  gen- 


Digitized  by  Google 


396 


HiarOBT  OF  WATBBBimT. 


eral  expression  of  sorrow^  than  was  manifested  by  that  people  when, 
for  the  but  time,  thej  hung  upon  those  lips  that  wore  to  apeak  no 
more.** 

DAVID  nOADLEY 

Was  the  .second  son  of  Lemuel  and  Urania  (Mallorv)  Iloadley,  and  was 
born  in  Waterbury  (old  society)  April  29, 1774.  He  learned  the  trade 
of  bonae-oarpenter,  and  soon  became  distinguished  as  a  builder,  fie  was 
employed  upon  the  Congregational  meeting  house,  in  1795,  and  erected 
the  dwelling  of  tlie  late  Judge  Kingsbury.  He  afterwards  constructed 
a  Congregational  house  in  Milford.  The  reputation  he  thus  obtained 
was  the  occasion  of  his  being  invited  to  superintend  the  construction  of 
the  North  Congregational  church  in  New  Haven,  to  which  place  be 
removed  with  hia  fiunily,  in  1814.  He  afterwards  erected  tbe  Don 
DeForest**  house  on  tbe  corner  of  Elm  and  Church  streets,  in  New 
Haven,  and  tbe  bouse  next  ailjoining  on  the  west,  then  owned  by  Hon. 
Nathan  Smith.  He  also  built  tbe  Tontine,  so  called,  and  a  large  man- 
sion  house  in  Middletown,  owned  by  Samuel  Russel,  Esq. 

As  a  self  taught  architect,  Mr.  Uoadley  had  few  superiors.  He  broke 
down,  however,  while  still  in  the  vigor  of  manhood,  and  returned  to 
Waterbury  late  in  life  to  spend  the  remnant  of  hia  days.  He  had  a 
sound  judgment,  a  well  balanced  mind,  a  generous  and  honest  heart, 
and  died  about  1840.  His  remaina  were  deposited  in  the  old  burying  j 
yard,  over  which  a  monument  was  erected,  on  wliicli  there  is  only  the  ) 
brief  inscription  Hoadley."  Uis  widow,  Rachel  Hoadley,  died  at  the 
house  of  her  son-in-law,  John  C.  Palmer,  in  Hartford,  April  12,  1867, 
aged  77. 

CAFT.  REDBEN  HOLMES, 

I 

Son  of  Israel  and  Sarah  (Judd)  Holmes,  was  born  at  Waterl'ury,  Feb.  | 
11th,  1798.    While  a  boy  he  was  distinguished  for  great  activity  of  j 
body  and  mind.    Few  of  his  youthful  companions  were  able  to  com-  | 
pete  with  him,  either  in  his  studies  or  in  boyish  and  athletic  sports,  lie 
entered  the  Military  Academy  at  West  Point,  in  June,  1819.    He  sus- 
tained a  very  high  standing  there,  never  having  been  numbered  lower 
than  fourth  on  tlie  merit  roll  of  his  cbiss  at  its  annual  exannuations. 
He  was  assistant  professor  of  Drawing  one  year,  and  of  Mathematics  t 
one  year,  while  at  tlie  Academy;  and  when  ho  graduated  in  June,  1S23, 
he  delivered  tlie  valedictory  address.   He  was  immediately  commis- 
sioned as  second  lieut.  in  tlie  Glh  infantry  U.  S.  aruiy,  and  ordered  to 


Digitized  by  Google 


APFEin>IX. 


m 


join  his  regiment^  then  sUtioned  at  Council  BluHs.  The  route  lay  through 
the  laken  to  Green  Bay ;  thence  up  the  Fox  Biver,  and  down  the  Wia- 

consin  to  the  Mississippi  River,  thence  across  the  country,  then  a 
wilderoeM,  to Gounoil  Bluffit.  On  the  Fox  River,  the  Indians  were  some- 
what troublesome.  One  night,  after  the  |»artjr  had  camped,  the  Indiana 
gathered  in  laige  numbers  about  them  and  commenced  the  war  dance. 
Tht  men  were  terribly  friL;htcne<l,  expecUng  a  bloody  skirmish,  if  not  a 
gencnil  massacre;  but  Holmes,  taking  a  aeigeantand  file  of  men,  start- 
ed for  their  ramp.  He  left  the  men  a  short  distance  in  U>e  rear,  out  of 
sight,  with  orders  to  come  up  if  any  difficulty  ensued,  and  then  pro- 
ceeded to  the  chief  and  demauded  tlie  reason  of  their  dancing  the  war 
dance.  The  chief  answered  in  a  insolent  strain,  when  Holmes  caught 
the  chiefs  rifle  and  tried  to  dis<  liarge  it.  The  savage  seized  him,  but 
Holmes  discharged  the  rifle,  and  after  a  short  scuffle,  tied  the  aavage*a 
hands  behind  him,  and  returned  to  his  men  with  his  prisoner.  The 
cowardly  soldiers  had  not  dared  to  show  themselves.  The  Indians 
were  then  informed  that  any  hostile  demonstration  would  be  followed 
by  the  immediate  death  of  their  chie£  There  was  no  more  trouble 
from  the  Indians  on  this  route.  When  crossing  the  country  from  the 
Mississippi  to  the  Missouri  lUver,  the  party  lost  the  trail,  wandered 
about  until  out  of  provisions,  and  were  compelled  to  eat  their  do<rs. 
After  enduring  all  the  hardships  incident  to  such  a  situation,  they  finally 
reached  the  fort  at  Council  Bluffs. 

Lieut  Holmes  was  stationed  at  Council  Bluffs  for  four  years.  Mean- 
time the  Indians  on  the  Yellow  Stone  were  threatening  hostilities,  and 
Oen.  Atkinson  with  a  body  of  troops  was  sent  up  the  river  to  quiet 
them.  On  this  trip,  Holmes  was  attached  to  the  corps  of  topographical 
engineers,  with  the  command  of  the  artillery.  Having  encountered  a 
large  lio<ly  of  hostile  Indians,  Holmes  with  three  others  was  detached  to 
hold  a  talk  with  them.  At  first  unarmed  Indians  met  them  in  council,  but 
soon  armed  Indians  gathered  around,  and  those  unarmed  began  to  drop 
off  and  returned  with  their  arm*,  until  they  wore  surrounded  bv  f<nir 
or  five  liundred  well  armed  sava«;e«.  The  (Jeneral  now  learning  their 
situation  immediately  beat  t(»  iirrns.  This  made  their  f*ituntion  much 
more  critical ;  rs  they  inust  ciflier  disobey  the  order  of  their  general 
and  run  the  risk  of  a  nuissacre  where  they  were,  or  proceed  through  a 
gang  of  armed  hostile  savages  witli  no  means  of  (iefendin-j  themselves 
if  attacked.  Holmes  decided  the  dilemma  instantly  ;  and  in  obedience 
to  orders,  delil>erately  arose  and  walked  out  of  the  Council  ring,  not 
a  savage  laying  a  hand  on  him.  He  immediately  headed  his  artiller)-, 
but  Gen.  Atkinson  gave  orders  for  no  firing,  and  after  a  long  parley, 


Digitized  by  Google 


898  auioKr  or  waisbbobt. 


finally  concluded  a  treaty  with  them,  thus  contummating  the  object  <d 
the  trip  without  bloodshed. 

Oo  returning  to  Council  Blofi,  Holmes  was  transferred  to  the  com- 
missary department,  where  he  remaiiied  antilthe  Black  Hawk  war  broke 
out,  in  1852,  when  he  obtained  leave  of  abeence  and  went  up  the  Missis- 
•ippi  Kiver  with  the  troops  as  a  ?o]unteer.    Soon  after  his  arrival  in  the 
enemy's  country,  he  waa  elected  and  aMrved  as  colonel  of  a  regiment 
of  Illinois  volunteers.   He  waa  subsequently  appointed  one  of  Gen. 
Dodge's  aids,  by  whom  he  was  spoken  of  in  the  highest  temaa.  Gen. 
Dodge  aent  him  down  the  river  for  supplies  for  the  army,  and  on  hit 
return  on  the  steamboat  Warrior,  forty  miles  above  Prairie  Du  Chiea, 
the  party  fell  in  with  the  aavagea,  with  whom  they  had  a  severe  con- 
flict.  U«dmea  waa  the  senior  officer,  but  the  troops  were  under  the 
immediate  command  of  Lieut.  Kingsbury.   Their  little  force,  consisting 
of  fifteen  soldien^  six  volunteers,  three  passengers,  two  discharged  sol- 
diers and  the  crew  of  the  steamboat^  had  to  contend  with  at  least  three 
hundred  Indians.   After  the  Indians  had  had  twenty-five  killed  and 
more  than  fifty  wounded,  they  retreated.  The  battle  lasted  two  hours. 
Gen.  Atkinson,  in  hia  oflldal  despatch  to  Gen.  Soott,  made  honoraUe 
mention  of  Holmea  for  hia  eondnet  in  the  affiur. 

On  his  return  from  this  eipedi^n.  Holmes  was  immediately  promo- 
ted to  a  captaincy  in  the  dragoon  servioe,  when  he  went  to  Louisville^ 
<^>ened  a  recruiting  ofiBoe,  and  raised  a  company  of  dragoons. 
While  in  Louisville^  he  waa  attacked  with  cholera,  but  after  a  partiai 
recovery,  he  took  his  company  to  Jeflforson  Barracks,  ten  miles  from  St. 
Louis.  Here  he  had  a  reUpse^  and  died  Nov.  4th,  1833. 

Gapt  Holmea  waa  a  man  of  undoubted  genius;  bold,  enterprising  and 
chivalrously  brave.  Had  he  lived,  he  would  have  acqnired  a  brilliant 
reputation.  He  waa  buried  in  St.  Louis,  **aad  there  awaits  the  last 
review.**  A  monument  waa  erected  by  his   companions  in  arms.** 

REV.  SAMUEL  HOPKINS 

Was  the  fifth  son  of  John  Hopkins,  the  miller,  and  was  bom  in  1693. 
He  was  graduated  at  Yale  Gollege,  in  1718,  and  was  ordained  at  W^est 
Springfield,  Mass.,  Jane  I,  1720,  being  the  second  minister  of  that 
town.  His  wife  was  Esther  Edwards,  a  s'lster  of  President  Edwards,  a 
woman  of  superior  intellect  and  great  moral  excellence^  whom  be 
married,  June  28,  1727,  and  by  whom  he  had  tout  children.  One  of 
these  was  Dr.  Samuel  Hopkins,  a  distinguished  clergyman,  who  was  the 
minister  of  Hadley  from  1765  to  1811.  A  daughter,  Hannah,  married 


Digitized  by  Google 


APFIHDIZ. 


809 


Jan.  10,  1759,  John  Wortbington,  LL.  D.,  an  eminent  lawyer  of 
Springfield.   TMr  daughter  married  Fuher  Ameiy  the  orator  and 

statesman. 

Mr.  Uopkina  is  spoken  of  as  a  prodeDt,  benevolent,  devoat  man  and 
faithful  minister.  Dr.  Spragoe  says  of  him,  in  bis  Aaoals  of  ibe 
Amerioaa  Tulpiti  I  bare  read  .Mr.  Uopkios*  diary,  as  well  as  a  number 
of  his  mannsoripi  sermons;  and  have  conTersed  with  several  persons 
whose  earlj  years  were  spent  under  bis  ministry ;  and  from  all  I  hsYO 
been  able  to  gather,  I  conclude  he  most  have  been  a  roan  of  excellent 
judgment ;  of  fine  moral  qualities ;  an  evangelical  and  instructive,  but 
not  very  popular  preacher ;  a  faithful  pastor ;  and  held  in  high  estima- 
tion by  his  brethren  in  the  ministiy,  and  by  the  community  at  large.*' 
He  most  have  been  an  industrious  man,  for  it  is  said  he  wrote  1500 
sermons.  In  1753,  he  published  a  small,  bni  interesting  and  valuable 
book,  entitled  **  Historical  Memoirs  relating  to  the  Honsatannnk  Indi- 
ans ;  or  an  aooonnt  of  the  methods  used  for  the  propagation  of  the 
Gospel  among  that  heathenish  tribe  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  John 
Sergeant,"  &c.  These  Indians  were  Mohegans,  and  rsskled  in  the 
Housatonio  Valley,  chiefly  al  Stoekbrulge. 

SAMUEL  HOPKINS,  D.  D. 

Was  the  eldest  son  of  Timothy  and  Mary  (Judd)  Hopkins,  and  was  bom 
on  the  old  Hopkins*  place,  Sept  17, 1721.  Coming  of  good  stock  on  both 
sides,  it  behooved  him  to  give  a  good  account  of  himselt  He  did  not  dis- 
appoint expectation.  In  his  Autobiography,  be  congratulated  himself  for 
having  been  bom  of  Christian  parents  and  that  his  ancestors,  on  both 
sides,  had  been  professors  of  religion,  without  interruption,  during  the 
course  of  two  hundred  years  or  more ;  and  many  of  them,  if  not  all, 
nal  Chriatiant.^  At  the  time  of  his  birth,  his  father  determined  to  give 
him  a  public  education,  and  to  make  a  minister  or  Sabbath-day  man  of 
him,  he  being  born  on  the  Sabbath.  Of  himself,  in  childhood,  he  re- 
marks in- his  Autobiography : 

I  have  eoiuidersd  it  a  great  fiivor  of  Ood  that  I  was  bom  and  educated  in  a 
reVgioos  fiunU^,  sad  snoog  a  people  la  a  coontry  town,  where  a  regard  to  reH- 
gion  and  monlitj  wu  common  and  preTalent,  and  the  edttcaUoB  of  cbtldrea  and 

youth  waa  generally  practicod  in  such  a  degree  that  young  people  were  penonilly 
orderly  in  their  behavior,  and  abstained  from  those  open  vices  which  were  then 
too  couiDion  iu  neaportand  populoua  places.  I  do  not  recolleet  that  I  ever  heard 
a  profiuM  word  fton  the  children  sad  youth  wich  when  I  was  conveivant,  while  I 
lived  with  my  parents,  whkA  wis  tiD  I  waa  In  mj  fifteenth  jrear.*  I  from  mj 

*  I  tiupect  be  did  not  awociat«  madt  wlUi  the  bojs  of  Uie  TlUage ;  or,  that  Uii  boff*  of  that 
d«f  wan  a  fMi  deal  baiter  ttaa  Um  gmtatioM  whkh  IMbnrad  IhM. 


Digitized  by  Google 


I 


400  HUTOBT  or  WATKBBDBT. 

TOnth  was  not  Tolatile  and  wfld,  bat  nther  of  a  ooher  and  steady  make,  and  wti 

not  ptiilty  of  external  irropularilies,  8uch  as  disobedience  to  parents,  profanation  o\ 
the  Sal)bath,  lying,  fo<ili-^h  jc-tinp,  quarreling,  pa.-^ion  and  anger,  or  ra-h  aa«l 
profane  wonL>i,  and  waji  ditipo:>ed  to  be  diligent  and  luitbful  in  whatever  bu^inc^s  I 
waa  employed ;  so  that  as  I  advanced  in  age,  I  gained  the  n^ee,  eeteem  aad 
reapeet  of  the  ndghborbood. 

At  an  early  period  of  his  life,  young  Hopkins  manifested  n<»  parlico- 
|ar  indinatiuii  for  study.  He  worked  on  his  father's  farm,  liked  the  oc- 
cupation, made  ]»rofi(  ioncy  and  was  contented.  At  the  age  of  tourteen, 
however,  his  mind  underwent  sonie  change.  Farm  work  became  le*s 
attractive,  anil  learning  more  so.  His  father  perceived  this,  encouraged 
him  to  htudy,  and  told  liiin  he  might  go  to  college.  He  wa.s  put  uixler 
the  care  of  the  Rev.  John  (iraham  of  Woodbury,  and  in  Se[>tenil>er, 
1737,  was  examined  and  admitted  a  member  of  Yale  College.  While 
thus  connected  he  n)ade  a  jmblic  profession  of  religion  in  Walerburv. 
and  embraced  the  Calvinistic  dccirines.  He  led  a  retired,  sober  anl 
studious  life,  and  had  the  name  of  being,  in  his  ow  n  language,  a  better 
scholar  than  ihe  bigger  half  of  the  members.''  According  to  President 
Stiles,  ho  w;ls  "a  good  classical  scholar,  well  versed  in  logic,  metaphys- 
ics and  ethics,  and  in  rhetoric  and  oratory."  In  a  word,  "he  wiis  a  man 
of  splendor  r  Logic  was  tlie  most  important  college  study  in  those 
days,  and  in  this  Hopkins  particularly  excelled. 

While  Mr.  Hopkins  was  a  member  of  college,  Mr.  Whitfield  appea^ 
ed  in  New  Haven,  and  in  October,  1740,  preached  to  crowded  ji.H>em- 
blies.  Hopkins*  heard  him  "and  was  somewhat  impressed,"  and  "jus- 
tified him  with  those  who  were  disposed  to  condemn  him."  The  next 
spring,  Gilbert  Tennant,  the  famous  itinerant,  made  his  appearaiue 
and  stayed  about  a  week,  preaching  seventeen  sermons.  He  wjis,  says 
Hfjikins  in  his  Autobiography,  "a  remarkably  plain  and  rousing  preach- 
er,*' "  and  every  person  in  the  college  appeare<i  to  be  under  a  degree  of 
awakening  and  c<mviction,"  Hopkins  admired  his  preaching,  thought 
him  the  greatest  and  best  man  he  had  ever  seen  or  heard,  and  deter- 
mined, when  he  should  leave  college,  to  go  and  live  with  l.im  >sherever 
lie  might  be  found,  l^ut,  on  the  seventeenth  day  of  September,  just  be- 
fore he  was  to  take  liis  degree,  Jonathan  Rlwards,  of  Northampton, 
(whose  sister  his  uncle  Samuel  had  marrie*],)  visited  New  Haven,  and 
preached  his  celebrated  sermon  on  The  Trial  of  the  Spirits.  The  young 
man  lieard  it,  and  such  was  the  efl'ect  upon  him,  that  he  changed  his 
mind  in  respect  to  Mr.  Tennant,  and  resolved  to  go  and  reside  with  Mr. 
Rlwards  when  he  should  have  an  opportunity. 

*  Autobiography. 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX.  401 

Tmmeiliately  aft«r  ieaviog  college,  Mr.  Hopkins  returned  to  his  father** 
in  Waterburj,  gloomy  and  dejected  ia  miod,  and  lived  a  reelttsep 
He  cooudered  himself  a  sinful  and  lost  creature,  and  spent  many  days 
in  fasting  and  prayer.  Ia  December,  (1741,)  being  furnished  with  a 
horse,  he  set  out  for  Northampton,  "  an  uttw  stranger,"  with  a  view  to 
live  with  Mr.  Edwarda.  Mrs.  in  llie  absence  of  her  husband,  receiv- 
ed him  kindly,  and  encouraged  him  to  think  he  could  spend  the  winter 
with  them.  Here^  after  a  period  of  despondency,  his  views  became 
dearer  and  more  satisfactory.  Ue  pnisQed  his  theological  studies,  and 
after  a  period  uf  four  months,  returned  to  his  father's,  and  received, 
April  20, 1742,  "a  permit  to  go  forth  and  preach  the  goapel."  He 
preached  a  few  times  in  Waterbuiy  and  adjacent  towns,  and  returned 
once  more  to  Northampton.  Here,  he  continued  his  theological  studies 
with  Mr.  Edwards,  and  preached  for  him  occasionally.  Sometimes,  he 
officiated  in  neighboring  pulpitu,  once  in  Wesifield.  He  spent,  this 
time,  over  three  months  with  Mr.  Edwards,  having  the  benefit  of  the 
instructions  of  the  greatest  metaphysician  of  America. 

In  the  fall  of  1742,  Mr.  Hopkins  supplied  Mr.  Bellamy's  pulpit,  in 
Bethlem,  for  several  sabbaths,  while  the  latter  took  a  "preaching  tour" 
as  far  as  Philadelphia.  In  December,  he  accepted  an  invitation  to  preach 
in  Simsbur}',  where  he  continued  till  May,  1743.  The  last  of  May  he  was 
agmn  in  Northampton,  where  he  opened  a  school,  and  at  the  same 
time  prosecuted  his  studies.  But  in  four  weeks  he  was  seised  with  a 
rlieumatie  affection,  and  felt  compell«!d  to  change  his  residence.  In  June, 
he  began,  on  invitation, to  labor  at  Honsatonnoc,  then  a  parish  of  Sheffield, 
afterwards  (1761)  incorporated  as  a  town,  with  the  name  of  Great  Barring- 
ton.  In  Augnst,  be  had  the  fever  and  ague,  and  the  pains  made  him 
think  of  the**  everlasting  pains.**  He  was  invited  tosettle^beingoflered£60, 
lawful  money,  settlement,  and  £S5  salary,  for  the  fint  year,  and  an  annual 
increase  of  £l  each  year,  till  he  received  £46.*  He  accepted  the  ofler  in 
November,  and  was  ordained  December  28,  1748.  His  parish  then 
contained  but  thirty  families,  several  of  them  Dutch,  and  was  situated  on 
the  frontiers  of  civilization — not  a  very  inviting  field,  one  would  think, 
for  the  display  of  the  kind  of  talent  which  Samuel  Hopkins  possessed. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Hopkins'  ordination,  (1744,)  a  French  and  Indian  war 
broke  out,  and  the  western  frontier  towns  were  kept  in  a  state  of  almost 
perpetual  alarm.  He  took  much  intersst  in  the  war,  shouldered  his 


*  Prof.  Park,  In  eommcoting  on  th«  Rmsllnoon  of  these  lumi,  unci  compMtaf  Uirm  with  what 
oUier  mlnUteri  r«c«lT«d,  forgcU  UuU  Uopkinx  wm  pftid  lo  latqfid  moo«]r,  «WI«  Mr.  J  add  wiih 
wboni  Uie  eomparlioa  li  mS*.  MiS  who  rwdveS  £iaS  per  Maom,  (to  to  iswsiii  sasttslly 
VM  paid  1b  M  Umttr  [Mlto],  •  Moh  deprccl«ud  oamoej. 

26 


Digitized  by  Google 


402  HISTOBT  OF  WATEBBITBT. 

musket  and  joined  scoiitinix  j»artie-?,  in  case'^  of  emern^ency  ;  and  in  his 
correspondence,  souuitiines  handled  severely  tlie  conduct  of  the  govern- 
ment and  the  military.  In  December,  1744,  he  received  the  news  of  tbe 
violent  illness  of  liis  mother.  lie  started  for  Watcrbiirv  al)Out  noon, 
and  lini>ljed  his  journey  at  bed  time.  His  motlier  died  next  day,  IVo. 
6,  1744,  and  was  buried  on  the  day  following.  After  the  funeral,  Mr. 
Leavenworth  ])reached  a  discourse  on  the  duty  of  resignation  to  (Jod's 
will,  from  2  Kings,  IV,  20.  A  few  days  later,  Dec.  9ih,  a  "young 
brother,"  aged  three  weeks,  died.  Four  years  afterwards  tlie  father  «as 
taken  ill,  and  the  son  Mas  again  summoned  to  his  house  to  witness  the 
closing  scene,  which  ha|>]iened  Feb.  5,  1749.  Samuel  was  the  executor. 
Upon  him  devolved  the  care  and  education  of  his  three  youngest  brothers, 
James,  Daniel  and  Mark.  The  two  first,  the  father  had  provided  with 
a  farm  and  tools  of  husbandry,  designing  they  should  be  farmers.  I?ut 
they  became  discouraged,  when  their  brother  Samuel  sold  tlie  farm  and 
undertook  to  educate  the  three,  taking  them  all  to  his  house.  .Ihuks 
made  great  proficiency  and  entered  Yale  College.  "lie  was  a  promis- 
ing young  man,  much  esteemed,  especially  by  his  classmates,"  lint  l>e- 
fore  the  close  of  his  first  year,  bo  sickened  of  a  fever  and  died  in  Ne«r 
Ilaven.  In  three  years  more,  two  sisters,  Uanaah  Upsoa  and  Sarah 
Clark,  were  removed  by  death. 

Mr.  Hopkins  continued  the  minister  of  Great  Barrington,  under  tlie 
most  aggravated  discouragements,  for  many  years.  The  Indian  wars, 
the  smallness  and  poverty  of  his  parish,  his  meagre  support  and  the  op- 
position he  met  with,  would  have  made  almost  any  other  man  discon- 
tented. His  high  toned  Calvinism  was  distasteful  to  many.  He  op[x)s- 
ed  the  "half  way  covenant"  system,  and  gave  ofiense  bv  the  terms  of 
church  communion  which  he  enforce<I.  Many  "  unconverted  "  person*, 
particularly  among  the  Dutcli,  wantcil  their  children  baptized  ;  nnd 
when  he  refused  to  administer  the  rite,  an  Ejuscopal  minister  was  invit- 
ed to  do  it,  and  an  Ejfisccpal  society  was  established.  When  the  troubles 
with  the  mother  country  commenced,  he  espoused  the  cause  of  the 
colonists  and  became  a  warm  Whig.  His  course  was  viewed  with  di>;ij>- 
probatinn  by  the  Tories,  who  were  numerous  in  the  town  and  some- 
times in  a  majority.  They  threatened  to  stop  his  salary,  and  if  possiMt, 
to  drive  him  out  of  town.  His  church  adhered  to  him,  and  adojUcJ 
various  expedients,  without  success,  to  rai-e  Ids  salary.  At  length,  as 
his  u-'Cfulness  seemed  to  be  at  an  end,  they  united  with  him  in 
calling  a  council  to  decide  the  question  of  his  continuance  among  them. 
A  decision  was  made,  atid  the  connection  which  had  lasted  twentv-five 
years  between  a  despoadiog  pastor  and  an  afflicted  people  was  dissolved, 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


403 


Jan.  18,  1769.  Long  afterwards,  on  looking  back  to  the  distracted  con- 
dition in  which  his  pariah  was  left — their  divisions  and  destitution  for 
many  years — he  feared  he  did  wrong  to  leave  thena.  lie  might,  he  said, 
Lave  given  up  study  and  supported  himself  by  laboring  on  his  farm,  and 
at  the  same  time,  preached  to  his  people,  "  after  a  sort,"  without  com- 
pensation. Nothing  better  illustrates  the  simplicity  of  his  character,  his 
honesty  and  self-denying  nature,  than  these  reflections.  At  this  dis- 
tance of  time  and  place,  it  would  seem  obvious  enough  that  the  evils 
which  Hopkins  deplored  were  not  of  a  sort  to  be  removed  by  his  minis- 
trations. 

Our  theologian  was  not  fortunate  in  his  early  matrimonial  enterprises. 
An  engagement  which  he  formed  at  Northampton  was  broken  off  "  with- 
out any  fault  of  his."  Another,  made  in  Great  Barrington,  terminated 
in  the  same  way,  the  young  lady,  "  rather  of  a  belle  "  in  the  place,  and 
of  a  bright  intellect,  preferring,  at  the  critical  time,  another  lover.  This, 
he  said,  "  was  a  trial,  a  very  great  trial  but  he  was,  as  usual,  resigned. 
At  length,  however,  he  conquered  adversity,  and  married,  Jan.  13,  1748, 
Joanna,  daughter  of  Moses  Ingersoll  of  Great  Barrington.  She  is  de- 
scribed as  delicate  in  her  person,  sprightly,  intelligent,  of  much  decision 
of  character;  but  of  a  consumptive  tendency  and  a  great  sufffrer  from 
ill  health  after  marriage.  About  1786,  she  was  aflSicted  with  temporary 
insanity,  and  died  Aug.  21,  1793,  aged  67.  She  was  the  mother  of 
eight  children,  all  born  in  Great  Barrington.  The  eldest  son  was  Gen- 
eral David  Hopkins,  an  influential  and  wealthy  man  who  lived  near 
Baltimore,  Md.,  and  died  leaving  several  children.  The  second  son, 
Moses,  was  a  magistrate  and  farmer  in  Great  Barrington,  eminent  for 
his  strength  of  mind  and  sterling  virtue.  lie  was  County  register,  and 
died  at  the  age  of  84,  having  had  nine  children.  Th^  third,  Levi,  lived 
and  died  in  Virginia,  leaving  six  children.  The  fourth,  Samuel,  was  a 
thrifty  farmer,  resided  on  the  homestead  in  Great  Barrington,  and  left 
three  children.  The  fifth,  Daniel,  died  in  Maryland,  in  1788,  aged  24. 
The  eldest  daughter,  Elizabeth,  wtis  an  accomplished  lady,  married  Dr 
John  Sibley,  an  eminent  surgeon  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  and  died 
at  Fayetteville,  N.  C,  in  1790,  leaving  two  sons.  The  second,  was  Mrs. 
Joanna  Fisher  of  Medway,  Mass.,  who  died  in  1786,  leaving  one  daugh- 
ter. The  third,  Khoda,  married  Capt.  John  Anthony  of  Newport,  and 
died  1792,  aged  26,  leaving  one  child. 

Mr.  Hopkins'  second  wife  was  Elizabeth  West,  principal  of  a  celebra- 
ted boarding  school  for  females  in  Newport,  a  woman  of  rare  endow- 
ments, to  whom  he  was  married,  Sept.  14, 1794.  She  died  in  Taunton, 
Mass.,  April  9,  1814,  aged  75. 


406 


HISTQBT  OF  WATEBBUBY. 


ton,  Omiii^  attempted  an  answer  to  the  *^  Inqnlry  "  in  1767,  in  replj  to 
which  Hopkins  wrote  his  oelehrated  hook  of  one  hondred  and  ^ghtj- 
€>ur  pages,  octaTO,  entitled,  **The  tme  State  and  cfaarseier  of  the  Uore> 
generate,  stripped  of  all  Misrepresentation  and  Dirgutae :  printed  st 
New  Haven,  1769.**  Mills  was  effeetoally  silenced.  Afterwards  Ber. 
William  Hart*  entered  into  the  oontroTeny,and  Hopkina  answered  him 
in  Animadvenions  on  Mr.  Hart*a  late  Dialogue ;  in  a  letter  to  a  Friend 
Kew  London,  1770.  In  1778,  he  published  a  book  which  he  celled 
**'  An  Inqniiy  into  the  Nature  of  True  Holiness,  with  an  Appendix.  Con- 
taining an  Answer  to  the  Rer.  William  Hart*s  Remarks,**  Ac 

Dr.  Hopkins  published  several  other  theological  works ;  but  the  most 
important  of  them  was  a  system  of  divinity,  entitled,  ''System  of  Doty 
trines  contained  in  Divine  Revelation,  ezplained  and  defended ;  showing 
their  Gonsistenoe  and  Connection  with  esch  other.  To  which  is  added  s 
Treatise  on  the  Millennium.**  On  this  work,  in  two  laige  octavo  volnmei, 
the  author  spent  more  than  teo  yeats.  He  was  seventy^two  years  old 
when  it  was  published.  It  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  ablest  treatises  in 
the  language. 

Besides  his  theological  works,  Dr.  Hopkins  published  a  memoir  of  bis 
friend  and  instructor,  Jonathan  Edwards.  He  also^  at  the  request  of 
the  (amily,  prepared  himself  by  riz  years  study  of  the  manuscripts  to 
edit  Edwards*  works.  He  succeeded  in  getting  through  the  press  one 
small  volume  containing  the  two  dissertations  ''Concerning  the  End  for 
which  God  created  the  World,**  and  the  "  Nature  of  True  Virtue,**  with 
a  preface  by  the  editor.  The  enterprise  was  then  abandoned  for  the  want 
of  encouragement 

Dr.  Hopkins  was  an  active  and  practical  philanthropist  He  was  ooe 
of  the  earliest  opposen  of  the  African  slave  trade  and  of  Aincan  slave* 
ty,  in  this  country.  He  devoted  himself  to  the  work  of  elevating  tbe 
black  race  with  unwearied  devotion,  and  continued  his  efforts  till  the 
infirmities  of  age  obliged  him  to  desist  They  who  had  been  the  objeets 
of  his  solicitude,  testified  their  gratitude  by  attending  his  fnnersl  in 
lai^e  numbers. 

Edwards,  Hopkins  and  Bellamy— the  New  England  triumvirate— were 
the  great  theologians  of  thdr  dsy  and  country.  They  represented  Amen* 
can  Calvinism.  If  Hopkins  was  not  the  greatest,  he  certainly  was  not  tbe 
least  of  the  three.  For  cloee  reasoning  and  sturdy  strength,  for  deep  vie«s 
and  keen  analysis,  he  had  few  superiors.  He  was  a  bold,  adroit  mso, 
who,  with  masterly  logte^  pursued  investigations  to  their  results.  He 

*  Mr.  Hurt  In  iitnt<  <i  to  b«Te  httn  Ike  flni  who  appUed  Um  Um  HopfcladMi  or  HepUotooiaai 

to  Mr.  llopkiiu'  Theology, 


i 
I 

I 

Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


407 


was  an  noflinching  Calvinut.  He  has  been  called  hyperCalvinistic,  be- 
cause  he  was  more  consistent  and  more  fearless  than  some  of  his  class. 
He  was  not  afraid  to  carry  principles  out  and  encounter  the  consequences. 
If  two  distinct  trains  of  oonseeutiTe  thought,  in  which  he  could  see 
DO  logical  defect^  came  in  conflict  and  threatened  mutual  annihilation, 
he  was  not  affrighted.  He  reviewed  the  aiguments,  examined  critically 
each  link  in  the  chain,  and  if  he  could  see  no  imperfection— no  want  of 
logical  sequence — ^he  adopted  the  conclusions  and  stated  them  boldly. 
With  consequences  and  seeming  contradictions,  he  conceived  he  had 
nothing  to  do.  The  Calvinistic  doctrine  of  divine  sovereignty,  he  be- 
lieved in  its  fullest  extent  He  adopted  it  as  a  metaphysical  principle, 
and  put  it  into  his  logic  mill.  Whatever  came  out  was  truth.  It  did 
not  avail  to  tell  him  he  destroyed  human  liberty.  He  affirmed  the  free- 
dom of  the  will  on  different  grounds,  and  left  others  to  reconcile  the 
conflicting  dogmas. 

Dr.  Hopkins  did  not  trim  his  words.  He  was  not  skilled  in  the  use 
of  oily  plirases.  He  had  a  direct  way  of  stating  his  conclusions.  The 
truth  he  liked  to  present  naked,  even  though  repulsive  in  its  features. 
His  honesty  would  not  permit  him  to  use  ornament.  Hence,  he  was 
accounted  blunt,  severe ;  his  doctrines  stem  and  barsh.  His  reasonings 
led  him  to  the  conclusion  that  a  Christian  ought  to  be  willing  to  be 
damned,  if  thereby  the  glory  of  God  would  best  be  promoted ;  and  he 
was  intrepid  enough  to  say  so.  In  his  work  on  Future  Punishment,  he 
says  of  the  wicked^**  The  smoke  of  their  torment  shall  ascend  up  in 
the  sight  of  the  blessed  for  ever  and  ever ;  and  serve  as  a  most  clear 
glass,  always  before  the  eyes,  to  give  them  a  constant,  bright,  and  most 
affecting  view  of  all  these.  And  all  thu  display  of  the  divine  character 
and  glury  will  be  in  fevor  of  the  redeemed,  and  most  entertaining,  and 
give  the  highest  pleasure  to  all  who  love  God,  and  raise  their  happiness 
to  ineffable  heights,  whose  felicity  consists,  summarily,  in  the  knowledge 
and  enjoyment  of  God.**  The  sentiment  expressed  in  this  pas<iage  is 
not  new.  It  is  a  part  of  old  feshioned  Calvinism ;  but  the  language  is 
original.  Kobody  but  Hopkins  would  have  thought  of  the  word  en* 
tertained.**  But  with  him,  it  was  the  word,  and  he  dared  to  use  it  He 
thus  excited  prejudices.  Caricature  prints  were  got  up  representing  him 
as  being  **  entertuned  by  the  woes  of  the  damned.  Ridicule  and 
obloquy  he  heeded  not  I>enunciation  did  not  disturb  him. 

Though  plain  spoken  and  uncompromiung,  Dr.  IIu]>kins  was  an  in- 
offensive man.  He  had  no  guile  in  his  heart  Simple  minded  and  affeo- 
tionato,  his  whole  life  was  spent  in  self-denying  labon  for  the  good  of 
others.  No  man  had  more  of  the  milk  of  human  kindness  in  him.  No 
man  was  more  uoselfidh  in  whatever  he  did. 


Digitized  by  Google 


403 


HmOBT  OV  WATEBBUBT. 


Dr.  Hopkins  was  a  hard  student  of  theology  and  metaphysics,  but  no 
rhetorician.  He  never  learned  the  graces  of  style — never  acquired  a  full 
kiiowledfre  of  his  mother  tonirue.  His  lanffuaire  was  forcible,  Konie- 
times  pithy;  but  his  words  were  often  badly  chosen,  and  generally 
clumsily  arranged.  As  a  preacher,  he  wsis  the  most  uninteresting  of 
men.  His  tones  were  drawling  and  monotonous,  his  voice  sometiroes 
resembling  a  cracked  bell.  His  pronunciation  was  ungraceful  and  in- 
aocurate,  and  his  manner  ungainly.  The  children  were  eomeiimet 
frightened  by  his  appearance. 

In  his  person,  Dr.  Hopkins  was  more  than  six  feet  high,  erect,  with  a 
large  chest,  broad  face,  capacious  forehead  and  gigantic  j)roportions  gen- 
erally. He  wore  a  white,  full  bottomed,  powdered  wig,  a  three  cornered 
hat,  and  silver  knee  buckles  and  shoe  buckles.  His  manner  was  awkward, 
but  his  figure  wsis  on  tlie  whole  so  commanding,  that  "strangers,  pre 
snming  he  was  a  great  man,  would  at  once  take  off  their  hats  when 
they  met  him."  In  early  life,  he  was  distinguished  for  his  agility  and 
athletic  feats. 

In  1853,  an  edition  of  Dr.  Hopkins'  works  was  published  by  the 
American  Doctrinal  Tract  Society,  in  three  volumes,  with  an  interesting 
memoir  by  Professor  Park.  To  this  memoir  an<l  to  Dr.  Hopkins'  auto- 
biography and  works  I  am  mainly  indebted  for  the  materials  of  this 
sketch.  By  the  way,  the  genealogy  of  the  Waterbury  branch  of  the 
Hopkins  family,  contained  in  that  memoir,  was  furnished  hy  the  author 
of  this  volume. 

DANIEL  HOPKINS,  D.  D, 

A  younger  brother  of  the  preceding,  was  born  Oct  16,  1*734.  lie  pur- 
sued his  preparatory  studies  with  his  brother  Samuel,  and  entered  Vale 
College  in  1754.  During  his  college  course,  he  was  much  distinguished 
as  a  scholar,  and  graduated  in  1758  with  the  highest  honors  of  bis 
class.  His  theological  studies  were  pursued  under  the  direction  of  his 
brother,  whose  distinctive  views  he  adopted  and  afterwards  earnestly 
inculcated.    Ue  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  New  Haven  Association. 

Soon  after  receiving  his  license,  he  went  to  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia,  be- 
ing recommended  to  a  vacant  parish  there  by  President  Clap  of  Yale 
Collogp.  He  preached  with  acceptance  till  his  health  broke  down, 
when  he  was  oblig(>d  to  intermit  his  ministerial  duties  for  eight  year«, 
during  which  time  he  was  occupied  in  traveling  and  manual  labor, 
preaching  occaMonally  when  his  strength  allowed. 

In  17G6,  he  was  invit'  d  to  |>reach  to  the  Third  Congregational 
soeiety  of  Salem,  Mass.,  the  former  pastor,  Bev.  John  Huotington,  having 


Digitized  by  Google 


AFFBsnnx* 


409 


recoDtly  deoaMed.  **Tb6  doctrines  he  preached,  and  the  plain,  direct, 
and  pungent  manner  in  which  he  preached  them,  procured  for  him 
warm  friends  and  bitter  enemies.  Such  was  the  opposition  awakened 
against  him,  that  a  committee,  consisting  of  some  of  the  most  influential 
men  in  the  town,  waited  upon  him  at  his  residence,  and  made  a  formal 
and  earnest  request,  that  for  the  peace  of  the  community,  he  would 
leave  the  toflrn.  With  characteristic  shrewdness  be  closed  his  eyes, 
smoothed  down  his  fiMse,  and  mildiy  said, — *  Gentlemen,  I  smoke  my 
own  tobacco.*  The  committee  withdrew  and  gave  him  no  further 
trouble."*  He  continued  to  preach  for  eight  yean  before  he  became 
the  settled  pastor.  During  this  period,  he  spent  a  portion  of  his  time 
in  the  instmction  of  youth.  Often,  he  preached  in  the  neighboring 
▼acant  parishes  in  Essex  county ;  and  from  Hamilton,  received  a  call  to 
settle  in  the  ministry,  which  he  declined  on  account  of  delicate  health. 

Mr.  Hopkins  interested  himself  in  the  early  strugo^les  of  the  colonies 
for  independence,  and  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Congress 
in  1775.  Hisoonnsels  were  wise  and  patriotic,  and  he  is  said  to  have 
received  some  peculiar  marks  of  oonfldenoe  from  General  Washington.t 
In  1778,  **he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  council  of  the  Conventional 
Government,"  and  aerred  foithfully  and  honorably. 

In  the  mean  time^  a  disruption  took  place  in  the  Third  church.  The 
majority  of  them  went  over  to  Presbyteriantsm,  while  the  Congrega- 
tional minority,  reoogniied  by  an  ecclesiastical  council  as  the  or^nal 
Third  ehurch,  adhered  to  Mr.  Hopkins.  Over  the  latter,  Mr.  H.  was  or- 
dained. Not.  18,  1778.  He  continued  the  sole  pastor  till  1804,  when  a 
ooltei^pie  was  settled ;  and  died,  after  a  distressing  illness,  Dec  14,1814. 

The  suljeot  of  this  notice  was  married  in  1771,  to  Susanna,  daughter 
of  John  Saunders  of  Salem,  by  whom  he  had  six  children,  four  sons  and 
two  daughters  His  widow  died  March  16,1838.  He  published  two 
sermons ;  one  on  the  death  of  Washington,  in  1800,  and  one  at  the  ded- 
ication of  the  New  South  meeting  house  in  Salem,  in  1805.  The  de- 
gree of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  eonferrsd  upon  him  by  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege in  1800. 

Doctor  Hopkins  is  described  as  a  laborious  and  faithful  minister,  a  dis- 
criminating and  interesting  preacher,  who  toiled  in  season  and  out  of  sea* 
son  for  the  spiritual  good  of  his  flock.  He  had  a  quiet,  peaceable,  afieo- 


*  SprafTue's  AnnsU  of  the  American  Pulpit — •ketch  b>  Brown  Kmertoo,  D.  O.— Uluiitcrs 
to  tfioM  dsja  iMMrallj  nM  ttitir  o«a  tobMM. 
t  Frar.Park^iMtBMlr«f  amwl  HopUM,  p.  M. 


Digitized  by  Google 


410 


HIBTOBT  or  WATSBBUBT. 


tionate  and  forg^iving  spirit.  His  talents  were  of  a  hi^h  order.  IJis  brother 
Samuel  acknowledged  himself  indebted  to  him  for  some  important 
views  and  reas^oninsj^s  contained  in  his  System  of  Divinity."  He  wits 
thoroughly  "  Uopkinsian  '  in  his  opinions  and  preaching;  still,  he  was 
not  an  undiscrirainating  follower  of  any  man.  He  is  said  to  bav*-  didered 
from  his  brother  on  ^the  tubjoct  of  ftubmiaoioo,"  but  cbieiijr'  in 
mode  of  explanation. 

In  his  social  intercourse,  Dr.  Hopkins  was  distinguished  by  affability 
an<l  courtesy;  in  conversation  by  originality,  good  »ense  and  pleas- 
antry.   Ilis  language  was  simple,  jmre  and  spicy  ;  rich  in  anecd"te  and 
illustration;  so  that  his  company  was  very  generally  sought.    "  His  tall 
and  manly  figure,  surmounted  by  a  high  triangular  hat,  gavo  such  dig- 
nity and  grace  to  his  movements,  that  no  man  who  walked  the  streets 
WM  looked  at  with  more  respect  and  veneration.    The  reniark  w  as  often 
made  that,  in  his  appearance  and  bearing,  he  strikingly  resembled 
Wiishington."    In  the  latter  part  of  bis  life,  he  became  much  ioterested 
in  benevolent  enterprises.    He  was  a  pioneer  in  the  cause  of  Home  Mis- 
sions ;  took  aa  active  part  in  the  formation  of  the  Massachusetts  Mis- 
nonary  Sodety ;  assisted  Dr.  Spring  and  others  in  editing  its  magaziDe; 
was  a  member  of  its  Hoard  of  Trustees,  and  for  the  two  last  years  of  his 
life,  notwithstanding  his  advanced  age^  performed  the  duties  of  its 
president. 

MARK  UOrKINS. 

He  was  the  youngest  son  of  the  family  of  Timothy  IIopkinS|  Esq. 
Tlje  father  at  his  death  (in  1748-9)  committed  him  to  the  care  of  his 
brother  Samuel,  with  the  charge  to  give  him  a  public  education,  far 
which  there  was  a  suflScient  estate.  The  brother  took  him  to  his  own 
house  and  fitted  him  for  college,  bestowing  on  him  the  greatest  curt. 
Afker  spending  five  years  in  Cre  it  I>:irrington,  Mark  entered  Yale  Col- 
leo:*%  where  he  graduated  in  17o8.  having  for  his  classmates  his  brother 
Daniel  and  Silas  Deane.  About  1761,  he  commenced  the  practice  of 
law  in  Great  Barrington,  and  resided  a  near  neighbor  of  his  brother 
Samuel.  He  rosii  quickly  to  eminenoe  in  his  profession.  He  gave  in- 
struction to  many  law  students,  among  whom  was  the  distingui.>hed 
Theo(lore  S.-dgwick.  In  1765,  he  married  Electa  Sergeant,  the  daughter 
of  Rev.  John  Sergeant,  the  missionary  at  Stockbridge.  When  tlie  liev- 
oluUonary  war  broke  out,  he  became  distinguished  as  a  patriot,  entered 
the  army  and  received  the  commission  of  colonel.  He  was  taken 
sick  at  White  Plains  of  a  typhoid  fever  which  prcvaiU  d  there  at  the 
time ;  and  to  prevent  bis  fiUling  into  tbe  hands  of  the  British  army 


Digitized  by  GoogI 


AFPKZTDIX. 


411 


which  WHS  tnirchiog  upon  the  place,  he  was  borae  from  his  tick  bed  in 
the  arms  of  the  Boldier  who  aiteaded  him  to  a  |>laoe  of  safety,  and  died,  it 
10  thought,  10  consequence  of  the  fatigue  and  exdtement,  Oct  26,  1776, 
aged  87,*  two  days  before  the  memorable  fight  at  White  Plains,  lie 
was  roach  belored  and  respected,  and  left  a  family  of  six  children,  the 
eldest  of  whom,  Archibald,  became  the  father  of  President  Mark  Hop- 
kins  and  Professor  Albert  Hopkins,  of  Williams  College. 

JOSEPH  HOPKINS 

"Was  the  tUir<l  son  of  Stej.l)en  and  Susanna  (iVck)  Ilcpkins,  ajid  grand- 
son of  John  Ilojikins,  lliu  iiiill<'r.  He  was  born  in  tlio  southeast  quar- 
ter, (in  tlie  limits  of  present  Naugatuck,)  June  (5,  1730.  His  father 
was  a  man  of  inlluenee  an'l  a  frequent  represenlalive  to  tlie  (u-neral 
Court;  and  tlje  celebrated  Sainu»I  Hopkins  of  Newport  was  liis  tiist 
cousin.  He  learned  the  si Iversrni ill's  trade,  married,  Nov,  28,  1751, 
Hepzibah,  a  daujj^hter  of  I>ea.  Thomas  Clark,  and  settled  in  the  t«>wu 
center  as  a  silversmith  and  walclifnaker.  He  made  plated  knee  buckles 
and  shoe  buckles,  silver  sleeve  buttons  and  other  silver  and  plated  ware. 
A  set  of  silver  vest  buttons,  worn  by  Mr.  AVilliaiu  (larnsey  of  Water- 
town,  (and  previ()u>lv  bv  his  father,  Mr.  Abijali  Garnsey,)  made  tdnety. 
years  before  by  Mr.  Hopkins,  was  lately  >hown  to  the  editor  of  the  Water- 
bury  American.    They  are  descrihed  in  that  j>aper. 

Mr.  Hopkins  was  appointed  town  treasurer  in  17')8,  and  held  the 
ofliee  six  su<;ces>ive  years,  lu  17G2,  he  was  nuule  a  ju>tice  of  the  peace, 
and  was  continued  in  ((iVue  till  177G.  In  the  sprinjjj  of  17G4,  he  was 
chosen  a  rejiresentative  to  the  (Jeneral  AN?enibly,  and  tV(*m  that  jieriod 
till  1790,  was  rrclecied  torty-four  times,  or  for  nearly  twd  third>  of  the 
sessions.  He  was  an  active  and  earnest  patriot  «luiin;;  the  war  of  the 
iLevohi'.ion,  and  for  most  of  tli<'  time  was  a  respected  nieinher  of  the 
lower  house.  In  conse, jii.-n«  e.  juohably,  of  his  know  ledi.'-e  of  metals,  lie 
was  ]Mit  at  the  head  t)f  a  committee,  in  177.'),  to  the  lead  mines  of 
New  Canaan,  and  examine  the  quality  of  the  ore,  the  state  of  the 
mines,  »tc.  In  1770,  he  was  selected  for  a  similar  service,  the  com- 
niittee  beini^  charj^ied  to  search  for  lead  mines.  (( Jreat,  at  that  time, 
was  the  dearth  of  lead.)  He  was  one  of  those  appoiuteU,  in  17  77,  to 
sign  the  small  bills  fur  currency. 

In  the  year  1777,  Mr.  Hopkins  was  appointed  one  of  the  "justices  of 
the  (juorum,"  which  po>t  he  held  till  his  deci-ase.  When  the  Trohaie 
District  of  Waterbury  was  estahlisheti,  in  1779,  he  w:is  made  its  Hrst 

•  Maaworlpi  letter  of  Fmidait  Bopklnt  of  WUUmm  OoUcfB. 


Digitized  by  Google 


412 


HI6T0BT  OF  WACTBBURT< 


judge,  and  was  continued  in  office  during  his  life.  He  was  also  a  dea- 
con of  the  church,  to  which  office  he  was  chosen,  probably,  about  1780, 
though  there  are  no  known  rocords  in  existence  wliich  inform  us  of  the 
exact  date,  lie  was  a  man  of  atiable  manners,  of  good  intellect  and 
kind  heart.  By  a  mild,  conciliating  and  persuasive  way,  he  pometiraes 
subdued  hard-beaded  men  when  arguments  were  of  no  avail.  F^or  more 
than  thirty  yean  before  his  death,  he  was  more  widely  and  advaDtage> 
ously  known  than  any  other  man  of  the  town. 

So  numerous  were  Mr.  Hopkins'  public  engagements,  that  he  gave  up 
his  traile  many  years  before  his  death.  He  lived  in  a  house  which 
stood  a  little  in  front  of  that  in  which  Scovill  M.  Buckingham  now  re- 
sides. It  was  built,  it  is  said,  (and  occupied  for  »  time,)  by  Ebeiiezer 
Warner,  the  father  of  Justus,  and  was  taken  down  in  1834.  After  Mr. 
Hopkins'  death,  it  was  occupied  successively  by  Kev.  Edward  Porter  and 
Rev.  Luko  Wood.  His  shop  stood  a  little  distance  west,  and  was  erect- 
ed after  an  older  one  was  burnt,  ioon  after  the  war.  It  was  removed 
in  1834,  when  C.  C.  Post's  house  was  built,  and  now  stands  on  die 
west  side  of  Willow  street,  south  of  William  Brown*s.  It  bears  on  the 
map  the  name  of  "  J.  J.  B.  Kingsbury." 

At  the  time  of  Mr.  Hopkins'  death,  the  following  notice  of  him  was 
published  in  a  New  Haven  newspaper  : 

Died  in  the  city  of  Now  HsTeo,  Goan.,  on  Friday,  Mareh  87, 1801,  of  uglM 
pectoris,  Joseph  Hopldns,  Esq.,  senior  aasistsnt  judge  of  the  Comity  Court  for  the 

County  of  New  Haven,  in  tlie  72d  year  of  his  age.  He  had  attended  the  Court 
durinfi  the  session  until  the  Tuesday  before  his  death,  when,  coniplaininp  of  ill 
heahli,  he  loft  the  bench,  (bi  Saturday,  the  eor|»8e  was  con  vexed  to  Waterburr, 
attended  by  some  of  hia  funiily  uud  other  connection*',  ucconipanied  a  part  of  lb* 
way  by  a  r.<peotable  procesrion  composed  <^  the  Judges  of  the  Court,  the  clergy, 
the  gentlemen  of  the  bar,  the  sheriff  and  other  officers  of  the  Court  and  dUseas 
of  New  Haven.  The  procewion  stopped  in  front  of  the  eourt>hoii8e,  and  > 
prayer  well  adapted  to  the  occasion  was  nnule  by  the  Rer.  Preaident  Dwif;ht, 
in  the  prcsonce  of  a  larpe  collection  of  the  inhabitants,  Bympathizini^  in 
the  lo>*-  of  a  in;iii  ciidcjired  to  tbeni  by  a  lonp  course  of  public  service.  I'ossws- 
ing  a  bound  mind  and  houest  heart,  be  faithfully  discharged  to  general  acceptance, 
the  duties  of  a  deacon  in  the  church  of  the  first  society  of  Waterbury,  a  justice  of 
the  peace,  a  representative  in  the  Legislatttre,  a  judge  of  Probates  of  tlie  XHstriet 
of  Waterbury,  and  of  as^'istant  judge  of  the  County  Court  for  about  30  years.— 
From  early  life,  he  adorned  his  course  In  an  exemplary  Buuiner with  the  profession 
and  practice  of  CbristiAnity. 

JESSE  HOPKINS 

"Was  tlie  tliird  son  of  Josej>h  Hopkins,  and  was  bom  May  20,  176G. 
He  learned  his  father's  trade,  and  in  liis  youth  showed  a  versatility  of 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


413 


talent  bevond  his  years.  '*  At  the  aj^e  of  seveiitooii,  on  tlie  visit  of  Gen- 
erals Washin<rton  and  L:\  Payette,  at  the  residence  of  his  father,  La 
Fayette  was  so  ploased  with  the  youth  that  he  made  him  his  aid  during 
a  series  of  military  operations  in  tliat  quarter.  His  youth  prevented 
him  from  enlistiui^  in  tlie  army,  and  his  love  of  couDtrj  from  accepting 
the  invitation  of  La  Fayette  to  visit  France."* 

lie  says  of  himself,  in  a  volume  published  in  18*28,  entitled  Patriot's 
Manual,  on  Revolutionary  topics  :  "  1  was  in  cliildhood  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  at  its  close  had  just  arrived 
«t  tliat  iif^e  which  entitled  mo  to  shoulder  my  musket — an  ago  alive  to 
all  the  interestinf^''  events  of  the  day.  Being  a  son  of  a  Revolutionary 
patriot  who  was  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature,  I  had  an  oj»portuiii- 
ty  of  acNjuiring  conHiderable  political  information,  for  many  years,  as 
v  eil  as  inhaling  that  spirit  of  patriotism  which  was  obaracteristic  of  the 
times." 

Mr.  ITopkins  set  up  his  trade  in  Waterbury,  using  his  father's  shop, 
lie  made  silver  plated  shoe  buckles  and  other  articles.  About  1701,  he 
erected  for  himself  the  house  owned  and  occupied  by  the  late  lk*nnet 
Bronson.  In  Dec  1794,  he  married  Betsey,  the  daughter  of  Nathaniel 
Goodwin  of  Hartford,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Betsey  and  Sally 
Goodwin.  His  wife  died  Feb.  4,  1799.  Business,  somehow,  went  not 
very  prosperously  with  him.  He  left  Waterbury,  and  spent  five  yeais 
in  tlie  West  Indies,  engaged  in  speculation.  After  bis  return,  *'he  mar- 
ried his  cousin,  (a  granddaughter  of  Samuel  llopkins,  D.  D.,  the  cele- 
brated divine  of  Newport,  K.  L,)  who  is  still  living  in  YermonL^^ 
[Honnrh,  1854.] 

In  1805,  Mr.  Ilopkibs  was  appointed  the  agent  of  William  Henderson 
of  New  York,  the  owner  of  a  large  tract  of  land  in  the  western  part  of 
Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.  He  removed  thither  and  opened  a  land  office. 
When  the  town  of  Henderson  was  organized  in  180C,  he  was  elected 
supervisor,  and  held  the  office  till  1810.  In  1813,  he  became  County 
judge.  He  engaged  largely  in  speculation,  being  sometimes  fortunate 
and  sometimes  the  contrary.  "He  erected  a  fine  seat  at  the  head  of 
the  bay,  commanding  a  prospect  of  unrivaled  beauty."  At  length 
he  became  involved  in  pecuniary  difficultiea,  and  in  1822,  was  r«* 


•  HoQgh'a  nutory  of  Jefr.  rKon  rn-inly,  y.  Y.  The  notice  from  wlilch  thiimtnct  La  taken 
■tfttM  lb«t  UopkioB  '*  received  a  liberal  eUucAtton."  I  believe  he  did  not  gmdaata  at  any  col- 
lege; Oioiighlie  dooMJcM  received  m  better  •doeetleii  than  ami  of  the  other  tova  boyi.  At 
ncvcntccn  years  of  airr,  however,  he  WM  aet  too  yoimp  to  ealllt  Into  the  army ;  but  the  war  had 
tbeo  {UfB)  doted.  Nor  U  It  undentoed  lAat  military  operationt  were  carried  on  In  or  abou 
Watcftaqr.  at  anjr  thae  dnrtog  tha  war.  Waahlngton  and  La  Fayette,  It  b  haUavad,  were  a  ?Ter 
la  Wataibniy  loflalbcr. 


Digitized  by  Google 


4U 


BI6T0BY  OF  WAT£fiB(7£Y. 


moved  from  his  acfency  by  Ilendereon,  and  his  improvements  taken  to 
apply  on  liis  liabilities.  I  lis  great  energy  of  cliaracter  sustained  Lira 
throiiofh  all  his  reverseSi  and  he  died  at  lleDderson,  in  ibe  seventy-first 
year  of  his  age. 

Dr.  Hough  say^^  of  Mr.  Hopkins,  that  ho  "  often  wrote  poetry  with 
much  taste  and  tliiency,  several  pieces  of  which  still  exist;  but  although 
meritorious,  he  never  allowed  them  to  go  beyond  the  sacred  precincts 
of  the  family  circle."  He  published  the  book  already  referred  to — the 
Patriot's  Manual — and,  in  1823,  a  pamphlet  relating  lo  his  diflBcul ties 
with  Henderson.   He  complained  of  bad  usage.* 

Dr.  LEMUEL  HOPKINS 

Was  a  son  of  Stej»hen  and  Dorothy  (Talmadge)  Hopkins,  and  was  bom 
in  that  part  of  Waterbury  which  is  now  Nangatuck,  June  19,  1750. 
He  w;ts  the  fourth  in  descent  from  John  Hopkins,  the  miller.  He 
studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Jared  Potter  of  Wallingford,  and  afterwards 
with  Dr.  S  'th  Bird  of  Litchtield.  He  commenced  practicing  medicine 
in  Litchfield,  about  1T7G  ;  but  about  1784,  (it  is  said,)  removed  to  Hart- 
ford, where  he  spent  the  renuiiuder  of  his  life. 

Dr.  Hopkins  was  one  of  the  most  disiiiigui>hed  physicians  of  this 
State,  and  liad  an  extensive  ]>rivate  and  consultation  practice.  He  had 
a  wi'ie  r<  j)uiation  in  chronic  (lisea-^es,  and  particularly  in  pulmonary 
cotisumption.  He  possessed  great  originality  of  genius,  and  a  happy  fa- 
cility of  investigating  obscure  maladies,  and  finding  out  their  seats  and 
causes.  He  had  the  greatest  confidence  in  himself,  and  rarely  failed  to 
secure  it  in  others.  Having  a  just  sense  of  the  iiithu  nce  of  the  mind  on 
the  body,  he  encouraged  hope  and  administered  consolation,  whilst  life 
remaine<h  He  was  eccentric  in  his  ways,  and  ugly  and  uncouth  in  his 
a])pearance,  and  these  things  sometimes  contributed  to  his  success.  On 
a  plea>ant  summer's  day,  he  was  called,  a  perfect  stranger,  to  visit  a 
child,  ill  of  scarlet  fever.  He  entered  the  liuuse  in  his  usual  abrupt 
manner,  and  found  the  sick  room  hot,  the  key  hole  and  cracks  stopped, 
ami  the  little  sufferer  loaded  with  bed  clothes.  He  rolled  his  big,  staring 
eyes  about  the  room,  and  without  utteiing  a  word,  took  the  cliild  in  his 
aruH,  and  walked  quickly  out  of  the  house.  The  household  and  neigh- 
borhood followed  with  brooin  sticks.  He  kept  thorn  off',  however, 
seated  himself  in  a  refreshinir  shade,  ordered  wine  to  be  broufrht,  and 

*  I  «in  much  indebted,  in  Uili  DoUce,  to  Dr.  Uough't  Hlitory  of  Jefftnon  Ooant/.    In  that 
wofk,liow«fW(  tkar*  art  Baaj«rron  Ntsttttfto  B«pkias,M4'I  mjr  kav*  «0|ilfd  lom* 
Iktm. 


Digitized  by  Google 


APFssmx* 


415 


soon  restored  the  child.  In  another  case,  he  visited  a  female  in  the 
crisis  of  a  fever,  whom  her  friends  supposed  to  be  near  her  end.  The 
father  said,  My  daughter  is  dying,  had  I  not  better  send  fur  the  min- 
ister?" "NoP  replied  the  doctor,  "but  you  may  call  an  undertalcer 
and  have  her  measured  for  a  coffin."  The  father,  indignant  at  the  harsh- 
ness of  the  reply,  remonstrated  in  severe  language.  The  doctor  explained, 
"  My  meaning  is,  you  may  as  well  send  for  the  one  as  the  other.  If  your 
daughter  is  allowed  to  be  quiet,  she  will  cerUinly  recover;  but  if  you 
disturb  her,  as  you  propose,  she  will,  in  my  opinion,  surely  die."  The 
suggestion  was  followed,  and  the  patient  recovered.* 

Whenever  he  [Dr.  Hopkins]  became  mneh  bterested  Ui  a  case,  his  attentions 
were  unoeM^ng ;  denying  all  other  calls  he  wonld  devote  his  days  and  nights, 

oAen  for  many  days  in  succession,  to  tlx'  case,  and  not  unfrcquently  administer 
every  dofc  of  medicine  with  hi.-*  own  hand.  In  one  case,  about  a  critit-al  period, 
he  was  suspicious  that  tlio  medicinoM  might  require  variation.  He  could 
not  sleep,  got  up  iu  the  uight,  rode  four  miles  to  hia  patient,  felt  his  pube 
and  sUn,  made  signs  for  Um  to  pot  out  his  tongue,  and  being  saUsfled  that  aU  was 
right,  left  the  hoose  wlthoat  speaking  to  the  patient  or  nnrse. — [Thscher's  Amer. 
icon  Kogrsphy.] 

Dr.  llopkins  was  indefatigable  in  literary  and  scientific  pnrsuils. 
"When  etifjagod  on  a  subject  which  greatly  interested  bim,  he  became 
abstracted  and  sometitties  forgot  to  go  to  bed.  His  wife  occasionally 
found  him  in  the  iiioniitig  sitting  in  the  precise  position  in  which  she  had 
left  him  the  eveuing  before.  Ilia  memory  was  peculiarly  retentive  ; 
and  s  >  familiar  was  he  with  the  great  English  poets,  that  he  would  often 
entertain  his  friends  by  repeating  the  more  valuable  portions  of  their 
writings.    Milton  and  Pope  were  favorite  authors. 

Dr.  Hopkins  was  well  known  as  one  of  a  circle  of  distinguished  lit- 
erary characters  and  poet*,  who,  out  of  the  State,  were  called  the 
*'  Hartford  wits."  He  wjis  a-^sociated  with  Trumbull  and  Barlow  in  the 
composition  of  the  "  Arnachiad,"  a  satirical  poem,  designed  to  show  the 
precarious  condition  of  the  State  under  the  oM  confederation.  He  was 
afterwards  concerned  in  the  production  of  the  "  Echo,"  and  "  Tlie  Politi- 
cal Green  House."  The  last  was  first  published  in  pamphlet  form;  the 
other  papers  in  the  gazettes  of  thcd;iy,  in  Hartford  and  Xew  Haven.  The 
more  celebrated  of  the  poems  known  to  be  exclusively  Hopkins'  are  the 
Hypocrite's  Hope,  and  an  Elegy  on  the  Victim  of  a  Cancer  Quack. 
After  Trumbull,  he  wa«  the  most  eminent  satirist  of  his  day.  Ue  pub- 
lished nothing  with  his  name. 

•  Bee  a  Megispbleel  Skeleli  bi  Tfcaekar^  iMriew  IMteel  Blegnpbr,  pr«par«d  fejrDn. 
Iheene  MlDeraiid  BuhhI  B.  WoedwaH* 


Digitized  by  Google 


416 


mSTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


In  person,  Dr.  Hopkins  was  tall,  lean,  stooping.  Ilit  featarea  were 
lai^^e,  his  eyes  light,  with  a  stroDglj  marked  oountenance  and  uoooin- 
monly  long  limbs.  In  youth,  he  was  mutcalar  and  athletic  Wbeo  a 
volttoteer  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution,  *  party  of  offioeia  wera  at* 
tempting  to  fire  a  king*s  arm  "  held  in  one  band  with  the  arm  ezteod- 
ed  at  full  length.  What  others  c^onld  not  do,  HiT>pln«i«,  to  the  aaton- 
ishment  of  all,  aoeomplished  with  ease. 

Dr.  Uopkini  received  from  Yale  College  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  IL 
in  1784.  Ho  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Connecticut  Medical  Sol- 
ely, and  while  he  lived,  took  an  active  part  in  ita  proceedlnga.  He  died, 
in  the  midst  of  hie  uaefulnesa,  April  14, 1801. 

SAMUEL  MILES  HOPKINS,  LL.  D. 

The  subject  of  this  memoir,  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Molly  (Mllee) 
Hopkins,  and  a  descendant  in  the  fifth  generation  of  John  HopkiQi,  was 
bom  at  Salem,  in  Waterbury,  on  the  0th  May,  1772.  At  hie  death, 
which  occurred  in  the  village  of  Geneva,  New  York,  in  Oct  1887,  he 
left  behind  him  an  autobiography  in  manuscript,  finom  which  it  will  be 
most  convenient  to  draw  an  account  of  his  early  yeara  and  reooUeetiona. 

The  hoiue  in  which  I  was  born  [be  writes]  stood  about  a  quarter  or  half  a  mSe 
soath  ef  the  prindpsi  dwelling  on  the  Hopkins  farm,  and  was  occupied  bv  mj 
fkther  as  it  had  been  bj  his  father  and  perhaps  grand&tber  before  bin.  I 
mention  it  on  account  of  a  tradition,  which  I  imperfectly  rsmraiber,  to  thb  ef- 
fect. My  grandfather's  oldest  hrother,  John,  was  to  hare  removed  to  pome  far 
distant  place,  (Stockbridpe,  1  suspect ;)  but  goinjj  there  he  found  danger  from  the 
Indians,  and  «o  returned  and  Uvcd  in  tbia  house,  the  one  my  grondfuther  did  or 
was  to  occupy.  This  great  uncle  John,  I  remember.  I  have  therefore  seen  a  man 
who  in  effieet  was  driven  back  by  foar  of  Indians  to  within  foorteen  nUcs  of  New 
Haven.  In  18S6, 1  visitsd  the  old  Hopldns  plsee-Hio  change  eicept  Che  sbw 
woridngs  of  time  npon  wooden  buildings  a  eoitury  old.  But  the  grape  vine  was 
gone,  and  the  huge  apple  and  pear  trees  were  rotting  down  with  age.  I  remem- 
ber a  scene,  which  must  have  hapjiencd  at  the  house  where  I  was  born,  in  the 
spring  of  1774,  when  I  waa  twenty -three  months  old ;  memory  now  presents  to  my 
view  that  home;  the  door  yard  and  ^  stone  fooadatiott  and embaaknieat  as  they 
were ;  and  when  more  than  fifty  years  after  I  saw  the  same  place,  I  found  the  pic- 
tnre  enthrely  faithAiL  I  well  remember  hearing  my  grandfiither,  hi  the  fidl  of  1774, 
read  much  in  the  papers  about  "  Ty,"  for  so  the  name  of  Ticonderoga  was  written 
for  brevity,  and  I  remember  feeling  a  sentiment  of  feverish  dii«Hke  at  the  frequent 
repetition  of  the  senseless  pound.  From  th.Tt  time  my  recollections  furnish  a  good 
many  pictures  of  men  and  things  pertaining  to  Ucvolutionary  times.  Hence  my 
frequent  remark  that  perhaps  the  period  of  my  life  embrsces  op  to  this  time  the 
most  interesting  period  of  s^ty  years  in  dvil  history  that  has  yet  occurred. 

I  reoMmber  something  of  the  young  men  hnrrying  off  to  meet  Burgoyne;  and 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


417 


the  deep  and  anxious  tolicitttde  with  which  my  father  and  his  neighbors  w  otild  talk 
of  puhlic  affairs.  I  remcnihor  my  father  being  absent  with  the  militia  who 
marched  in  defen^^e  of  New  York,  in  177*',  wh»'ii  I  wa-f  a  few  munthn  more  than 
four  years  ohi.  I  very  well  ri'ineuibcr  the  rejoicings  at  the  capture  of  CurnwaUii'.  I 
have  seen  General  Wasthington ;  been  a  little  acquainted  with  the  elder  Adams, 
aod  with  Jay,  Schuyler,  Clinton  and  Fiekering;  have  been  %  good  deal  ac- 
quiUnted  with  Gbaries  Goatesworth  Pinkney  and  John  Manhall ;  and  have  been 
OOQTersant  in  bnsitie.t^  of  the  bar  witli  that  very  extraordinary  man,  Aaron  Burr, 
and  that  very  ailiniralde  and  wontierful  man,  Ali'x;un1<T  Hamilton.  If  then  we 
add,  that  the  entire  history  of  the  Keileral  constitution,  and  the  entire  revolutions 
of  Europe  from  1789  come  within  my  fresh  recollections,  you  will  admit  that  we 
must  look  forward  and  not  backward  for  a  more  important  period  in  temporal 
aflSdra 

After  BpendiDg  cereral  yean  with  the  frmily  of  hie  ande,  Dr.  Ltmuel 

Hopkins,  attending  tbe  free  Grammar  School,  and  reading  niedicine,  Mr. 

Hopkins,  in  1787,  entered  the  Sophomore  class  In  Yale  College. 

I  passed  three  years  [he  says]  at  New  ^Ten ;  ardent,  intensely  studious,  fac* 
tiotts,  infidel,  opinionated;  loving  my  friends  deTotedlj,  and  beloved  by  them.  I 
scarcely  doubted  but  I  was  to  aoeomidish  some  great  thing  upon  the  earth.  By 

the  diligent  improvement  of  time  I  laid  in  a  ptoek  of  knowledge  upon  many  sub- 
ject?, particularly  history,  for  the  study  of  which  I  have  had  no  other  opportunity. 
The  spirit  of  Yale  College  was  at  that  time  a  spirit  of  literary  ambition  and  of  in- 
fidelity. I  was  not  iu  good  favor  with  the  i-'uculty,  and  took  no  pains  to  con* 
dfiate  their  good  wilL  But  they  gave  me  one  of  the  three  EngUah  orations,  which 
were  then  reputed  the  Ugliest  app«^tments.  I  refhsed  to  attend  at  commence- 
ment ;  and  they  refhsed  me  my  degree ;  and  the  d^ree  of  Doctor  of  Laws,  con- 
ferred  when  my  second  son  entered  Yale  College,  was  the  first  and  only  one  I  ever 
received.  Having  resolved  on  the  profession  of  the  law,  I  entered,  in  the  full  of 
1791,  the  office  of  Judge  (then  Mr.)  Keeve  in  Liti  litield.  Hi.s  law  school  contain- 
ed more  than  twenty  pupils  and  was  already  celebrated  throughout  the  union. 
He  was  altogether  sn  admirable  man,  of  a  purity,  sincerity  and  guilelcssness  of 
heart,  suehas  I  have  seen  la  few  men  in  this  world.  His  daily  leetures  were  most 
happy,  from  his  admirable  faculty  of  carrying  always  on  a  view  of  the  history  and 
reason  of  every  principle  I  have  no  doubt  but  his  lectures  are  yet  felt  and  long 
will  be,  in  their  lutpp\  inliiu'iue  upon  the  juritrKul  dcpartnu-nt  of  our  country's  pub- 
lic economy.    At  a  ."-uliMMnant  time  he  became  a  mosit  devoted  Christian. 

After  only  eighteen  months^  study,  Mr.  Hopkins  was  unexpectedly, 
and  in  violation  of  n  general  rule,  offered  an  examination  for  admission 
to  the  bar.  In  April  of  tlie  same  year,  (1793,)  he  removed  to  Pough- 
keepsie,  N.  Y.,  and  put  himself  under  the  tuition  of  two  young  lawyers 
of  excellent  reputation,  well  known  subsequently  as  Chancellor  Kent, 
and  Judge  Radclifl"  of  Brooklyn  ;  with  both  of  whom  he  maintained  an 
uninterrupted  friendship  of  forty  years.  In  three  weeks  of  intense  ap- 
plication, he  acquired  such  a  knowledge  of  the  practice  of  the  New  York 
courts,  tlien  reputed  n  mystery  demanding  three  yean  clerkship,  as  to 

27 


Digitized  by  Google 


418 


HI8T0BT  OF  WAIBBSUBY. 


pass  a  suooeaafiil  examination.  His  liconM  wan  dated  May  0th,  1793, 
the  day  he  was  twenty-one  yean  old.  GoL  Burr,  who  aimed  to  attach 
to  himself  young  men  of  Udent  and  energy,  made  the  motion  for  hit 
admittioo,  and  snbseqaently  presented  him  a  library  of  choice  law 
books,  saying  he  might  settle  it  in  his  will,  if  he  chose.**  Mr.  Hopkins, 
however,  insisted  on  paying  him  the  fall  value  of  the  books. 

He  began  business  as  a  lawyer  in  the  young  village  of  Oxford,  Cbe- 
nango  Co.,  where  he  drew  his  first  law  draft  **  on  the  head  of  a  barrel, 
under  a  roof  made  of  poles,  and  in  the  rain,  which  was  partly  kept 
from  spattering  the  paper  by  »  broad-brimmed  haL" 

In  1794,  he  removed  to  New  York  City,  on  the  invitation  of  James 
Watson,  Esq.,  who  entered  into  an  extensive  and  liberal  arrangement 
with  him  for  the  survey  and  sale  abroad  of  Virginia  lands.  In  the  pros- 
ecution of  this  scheme^  Mr.  Hopkins  visited  England  and  the  oontinent 
of  Europe  during  the  years  1799  and  '97. 

I  had  obtained  [he  says]  njiwards  of  3<u»,0(>0  ncref,  such  as  I  thought  I  could 
ffafely  and  honoratily  rt  cfiMiminul.  American  landif  had  become  di-^^graccd  by  the 
operatious  ot  Robert  Morri/i  and  others,  and  I  finally  failed  of  my  object.  But  I 
lingtrad  in  Europe  with  the  assent  of  Mr.  Wstaoa,  partly  irtth  the  dlstiat  hope  of 
better  aneoees,  but  more  to  seise  thmt  oi^wrtonitjr  of  enlerging  my  knowledge  of 
men  and  things.  Beddes  my  business,  mj  ol^ect  was  to  see  and  lesm  all  I  could. 
I  attended  Parliament,  and  heard  Pitt,  Fox  and  Sheridan ;  the  House  of  Lord«, 
and  ?aw  Louj^hborough  on  the  woolsack;  the  King's  Bench,  and  saw  Lord  Ken- 
yon,  A»hurst,  Ciro58  and  Lawrence ;  the  Common  Plea?,  and  mv!  Buller  and  heard 
him  ^ve  an  opinion,  and  no  man  in  England  gained  my  admiration  more  than  be. 
Onoe  or  twice  I  was  on  the  pcrint  of  condndhig  a  great  operation.  The  Bsidc  of 
Enghu^  slopped  paj^ngmtede.  Thenoame  the  mutiny  at  tiie  Hoie,  the  reveisei 
of  the  Duke  of  York  in  Flanders  and  the  success  of  the  French.  Many  capitalbrti 
thought  of  seeking  some  sjife  investments  in  America,  but  did  not  love  very 
plainly  to  avow  it  ;  and  on  tlie  whole,  the  firmnt-s.s  of  the  Hritish  nation  under  ac 
cumulated  difficulties  inspired  me  with  great  respect  lor  the  national  character. 

The  summer  and  autumn  of  1797  he  spent  in  Paris,  attending  the 
lectures  of  Fourcroy  and  Charies,  and  studying  the  French  character  and 
objects  of  curiosity  in  art  and  science.  He  witnessed  the  coup  d'etftt  of 
the  18th  Fructidor,  and  the  reception  of  Bonaparte  on  his  return  from 
his  Italian  campaign,  and  observed  to  Joel  Barlow,  his  fellow  lodger, 
that  he  waa  satisfied  the  Frendi  never  could  maintain  self<govemment 
His  account  of  the  manner  in  which  the  electioos  were  conducted,  by  or- 
dering bodies  of  troops  into  all  the  laige  towns  and  placicg  oppoaitioii 
oandidatsa  under  arrest,  would  serve  as  a  very  accurate  description  of 
the  freedom  of  eleeliona  under  Louis  Napoleon. 

Returning  from  abroad,  Mr.  Hopkins  engaged  in  the  practice  of  Urn 


Digitized  by  Google 


419 


Id  tbe  city  of  New  York,  where  in  the  year  1800  he  married  Sarah 
Elinbeth,  daughter  of  Motee  Bogersi  Esq^  who  still  (1857)  surrives. 

In  1810,  in  company  with  his  biotheiHin-law,  Mr.  B.  W.  Rogers  of 
New  York,  Mr.  Hopkins  pnrehased  two  tracts  ik  land  on  the  Genesee 
River,  and  engaged  on  a  large  scale  in  the  bosiness  of  farming.  Though 
conducted  with  great  energy  and  ddll,  the  enterprise,  from  the  over* 
throw  of  credit  and  the  disappearance  of  currency  following  the  war, 
turned  out  unfortunately. 

One  of  the  most  d.-li^'litfiil  ilnams  of  my  fancy,  [he  observes,]  in  going  to  the 
West,  was  to  have  iny  pun  nta  near  nic,  80  that  we  might  live  in  each  other's 
society,  and  some  io  turn  might  close  the  eyes  of  the  others.  It  waa  otherwise 
ordered;  sad  X  already  began  to  tee  the  doiids  of  dinppointmrat  gsthering 
around  my  estebHahmcot,  I  desred  lead,  fonoed  telde  end  nmltipUed  my  dieep. 
I  boUt  s  house,  a  Tillage,  and  milla  and  farm  bnil^Dga.  From  the  river,  my 
operations  extended  back  to  the  pine  woods,  near  three  miles.  But  I  made  the<te 
improvements  at  the  onormou-^  war  prices  of  labor  ami  produce ;  and  when  in 
turn  I  had  the  wheat  of  one  hundred  acres  to  sell,  it  would  not  command,  in  cash^ 
twenty-five  centj^  per  bushel,  for  any  quantity,  great  or  smalL  The  wool  of  liiieen 
hundred  sheep  i^old  proportionally  low,  or  pearly  so.  Of  these  sheep,  a  select 
ftook  of  three  hmidred,  fidl  meiinoa,  were  bred  with  more  care,  I  presnme,  than 
any  other  man  had  ever  need.  Losses  cssae  upon  losses  Uke  the  beathig  of  hsU ; 
but  the  greatest  wa"?  tliat  money  disappeared  from  the  country,  and  property 
ceased  to  have  any  but  a  very  low  exchangeable  value.  When  afterwardn  I  came 
to  sell  my  Moscow  estate,  at  a  loss  of  $5*),(>0<)  compared  with  its  late  saleable 
value,  I  deemed  tbe  sale  rather  a  fortmiate  escape. 

Mr.  Hopkins  removed  to  the  dty  of  AIlNiny,  and  resumed  the  prac- 
tice of  law.  His  studies  had  led  him  to  pay  particular  attention  to  the 
subject  of  Clime  and  punishment;  and  in  1826,  he  was  appointed  by 
the  Legislature  commissioner,  with  two  associates,  to  arrange  and  super- 
intend  the  whole  penitentiary  system  of  the  State.  He  engaged  in 
this  work  with  characteristio  enthusissm.  He  corresponded,  traveled, 
experimented  with  great  pains  in  relation  to  prison  diet  and  rations,  en- 
lightened public  opinion  by  a  aeriea  of  essays,  recommended  tbe  Auburn 
or  silent  system  of  penal  labor,  and  with  his  fellow  commissioners  built 
and  governed  the  State's  prison  at  Sing  Sing.  The  subject  of  prison  dis- 
dpline  continued  greatly  to  interest,  and  more  or  less  to  occupy  him,  dur- 
ing the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  withdrew  entirely  from  legal  practice, 
removed  to  the  village  of  Geneva,  and  spent  his  last  yesrs,  enjoying  an 
ample  competence,  in  literary  pursuits,  horticulture,  the  society  of 
firiends  and  religious  and  philanthropic  labors.  He  died  a  triumphant 
Christian  death,  October  8  th,  1837. 

At  different  times  of  bis  life,  Mr.  Hopkins  represented  his  fellow  citi. 


Digitized  by  Google 


m 


HI8TOBT  OF  WATEBBUBY 


sens  in  the  state  and  national  Legislatures,  and  presided  as  one  of  tbe 
judges  of  the  western  distriet  of  the  State  of  New  Tork.  He  left  behind 
him  at  his  death  an  unfinished  work  on  jury  triala,  and  another  nearly 
complete  consisting  of  aphorisms  in  ontology,  exhibiting  the  application 
of  demonstrative  reasoning  to  moral  tmths. 

Some  of  the  above  details  may  perhaps  be  more  minnte  than  the  inte- 
rest  of  thesutgect  will  justify  to  ordinary  readers.  But  soppoeing  the  object 
of  these  memoirs  to  be  to  fbrnish  in  a  limited  compass  a  distinct  impres* 
sion  of  the  men  described,  it  was  judged  this  would  be  best  effected  in 
the  present  instance  by  leaving  bim  in  part  to  speak  for  himself  The 
autobiography  from  which  the  brief  extracts  of  this  sketch  are  taken 
was  by  the  writer  merely  designed  for  the  instruction  of  his  children ; 
but  it  is  believed  the  use  here  made  of  it  will  involve  no  breach  of 
confidence. 

Mr.  Hopkins,  though  admirable  as  a  converser  and  the  delight  of  the 
social  circle,  was  not  distinguished  as  a  public  speaker,  either  at  the  bsr 
or  in  the  senate.  In  politics,  he  liad  no  success,  and  indeed  almost  no 
ambition.  He  had  a  generous  kind  of  instinct  which  always  made  him 
a  member  of  the  losing  party.  He  w  as  a  Federalist ;  a  Clay  man ;  sn 
Anti-Mason;  a  Whig;  a  zealous  advocate  of  Temperance;  a  coloniza- 
tionalist  and  a  hater  of  slavery.  For  near  the  last  twenty  years  of  his 
life,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  a  living,  exem* 
plary  Christian.  He  was  generous  minded  and  careless  of  liis  own  is- 
t«rests  to  a  fault;  naturally  impulsive,  but  llioroii£r]iIy  self-disciplined; 
full  of  warm  sympathies  and  a  model  of  refined  courtesy  in  social  life. 
Few  men  have  had  more  attached  friends  or  left  a  larger  circle  of  genu- 
ine mourners. 

In  {lers-uu,  Mr.  Hopkins  was  about  six  feet  in  height,  and  perfectly 
foruied  for  strenfjth  and  activity.  He  was  a  rapid  walker,  a  bold  rider 
and  was  fund  of  a  cjood  horse,  lie  retained  possession  of  all  his  physical 
and  mentiil  activity  up  to  the  sei/Aire  of  the  attack  wliich  terminated  his 
life.  His  biography  contains  little  or  nothing  of  attractive  incident  or 
puldic  interest.  It  is  the  life  of  a  man  of  fine  j)owers,  who  was  never 
highly  successful  in  the  pursuit  of  either  fame,  honors  or  wealth  ;  but 
who  was  unspeakably  happy  in  this,  that  the  discipline  of  life  ch;usterttHi 
his  spirit,  and  brought  him  throuirh  many  trials  to  the  ex))eri<'ncc  of  a 
peace  that  pa^selh  understanding  and  a  hope  full  of  immortality. 

Dr.  AMBROSE  IVEa 
He  was  the  son  of  Abijah,  and  the  grandson  of  Abraham  Ives ;  wss 
bom  in  Wallingford,  Dec  dO,  1786,  and  died  in  Waterbury,  Jan.  31, 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


431 


1852.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Cornwall  of  Cheshire,  and  settled 
in  WoleoU  about  1808.  Here  he  xnanied,  March  30, 1817,  Wealthy 
U.  Upson,  and  was  engaged  in  an  extensive  practice  till  1827.  He 
then  removed  to  Walliogford  to  look  after  hiB  deceased  father's  estate. 
After  an  interval  of  two  years,  he  resolved  to  resmne  his  professioDal 
business,  and  tetiled  in  Plymouth.  There  he  soon  obtained  a  lai^e 
practice.  In  1834,  he  became  interested  in  the  manu&cture  of  gilt 
buttons  at  Waterrille  and  took  chaige  of  the  business.  In  1 887,  he  re- 
moved to  Waterbury,  and  in  1839  sold  out  his  interest  at  WaterviUe. 
Soon  after,  he  bought  into  the  company  of  Brown  k  Elton,  and  contin- 
ued in  this  connection  till  his  decease,  but  without  himself  engaging  in 
the  management  of  the  business. 

As  a  physician,  Dr.  Ives  was  sound,  discriminating  and  skillful.  No 
practitioner  in  the  Tidnity  in  which  he  lived  was  more  deservedly  esteem- 
ed for  strong  common  sense  and  matured  judgment.  As  a  business  man, 
he  was  enlightened,  sagacious  and  stable.  Few  men  understood  human 
nature  more  perfectly,  or  could  see  fiurther  into  the  course  of  events  de- 
pending on  the  human  will.  By  able  management  and  financial  skill 
he  succeeded  in  acquiring  a  large  property. 

Dr.  Ives  was  not  tall,  but  stout,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life  be- 
came somewhat  oorpulent  He  preserved  the  plain  and  economical 
habits  of  his  early  life.  In  conversation,  he  was  diiewd,  intelligent  and 
iacetious.  He  had  a  fund  of  anecdote  and  illustration,  and  abounded  in 
witty  and  humorous  remarks.  Few  were  more  companionable  or  in- 
structive. 

Rsv.  JONATHAN  JUDD 

Was  the  third  son  of  CSapt.  William  Judd,  and  the  grandson  of  Dea. 
Thomas  Judd,  and  was  bom  in  the  village  of  Waterbury,  Oct  4, 1719. 
He  entered  Yale  College,  and  was  graduated  in  1741,  being  the  class- 
mate and  bosom  friend,  as  well  as  first  cousin,  of  Samuel  Hopkins,  2d. 
He  became  the  first  minister  of  the  second  precinct  or  parish  of  North- 
ampton, now  the  town  of  Southampton,  where  a  church  was  gathered 
and  he  ordained  June  8, 1743,  a  few  months  before  the  ordination  of  Ifr. 
Hopkins.  The  two  were  correspondents  for  many  years ;  but  at  last  an 
alienation  of  feeling,  followed  by  non-interoouise^  took  place,  in  conse- 
quence of  a  difference  in  theological  views.  Mr.  Judd  remained  the 
faithful  pastor  of  the  Southampton  churdi  for  sixty  years,  and  died  July 
28, 1808.  The  house  which  he  built  in  1743,  and  which  was  surround- 
ed by  a  palisade  in  the  French  and  Indian  wars  for  security  against  sur- 
prise, is  still  standing  in  a  good  state  of  preservation.  By  direction  of 


Digitized  by  Google 


42d 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATBKBUBT. 


his  will  his  sermons  were  burned,  to  tlie  number  of  nearly  three  thoa- 
sand.    Two  or  three  had  been  published.* 

Mr.  Judd  married,  Nov.  28,  1743,  Silence,  daughter  of  Capt.  Jonathan 
Sheldon  of  Suffield.  lie  had  seven  children,  all  of  whom  survived  the 
father.  Of  the  sons,  the  second,  Sylvester  Judd,  was  the  father  of  Syl- 
vester Judd  now  of  Northampton,  extensively  known  for  his  historical 
and  genealogical  researches.  The  last  was  the  father  of  Rev.  Sylvester 
Judd,  (recently  deceased,)  of  Augusta,  Maine,  celebrated  as  a  j)reacher, 
public  lecturer  aud  literary  man,  and  the  author  of  several  books  of 
much  merit. 

JOHN  KINGSBURY 

Wat  the  son  of  Nathaniel  Eingsbnry,  and  was  born  in  that  part  of 
Norwich  now  called  Franklin,  Dec.  80,  1762.  In  his  boyhood,  ha 
labored  on  the  farm  with  hia  ikther ;  bnt  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  was 
sent  to  hia  nnde,  Dr.  Charles  Backna,  an  eminent  mmister  of  8omei% 
to  prepare  for  college.  In  the  following  year,  he  entered  Tale  College ; 
but  he  soon  left,  and  engaged  aa  n  marine  on  board  a  privateer.  He 
made  two  cruises,  and  assisted  in  taking  two  prises.  Before  hia  reton 
from  the  last  cruise  he  was  taken  dangerously  ill,  and  was  in  a  cridcsl 
condition  for  a  long  time.  After  reooveriiig,  he  returoed  to  oollege  and 
graduated  in  1786.  He  then  went  to  Waterbury,  and  taught  in  the 
new  academy  about  one  year.  In  the  spring  of  1788,  he  entered  the 
Law  School  of  Judge  Beeve^  at  Litchfield,  and  in  1790,  waa  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  Litdifield  county.  Hia  health  waa  poor,  and  he  did  not 
immediately  enter  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession ;  but  in  the  foil  of 
1791,  he  settled  in  Waterbury  and  opened  n  law  office.  Three  years 
afterwards,  (Nov.  6, 1794,)  he  married  Merqr,  the  eldest  daughter  of 
Dea.  Stephen  Bronson,  by  whom  he  had  fouridiildren,  Charles  Deniien, 
Julius  Jesse  Bronaon,  John  Southmayd  and  Sarah  Susanna,  all  of  whom 
except  the  last  survived  their  father.  His  wife  died  of  pulmonaxy 
•consumption,  March  21, 1818. 

In  1798,  Bfr.  Kingsbury  waa  chosen  town  derk,  and  held  the  office 
much  of  the  time  till  1818.  In  1796,  he  waa  appointed  a  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  was  continued  in  office  till  1880.  Seventeen  times  between 
1796  and  1818,  he  represented  the  town  in  the  Legislature.  On  the 
death  of  Judge  Hopkins,  in  1801,  he  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancies 
in  the  Probate  and  County  Courts.  He  waa  continued  as  judge  of  Fro-  » 

•  0«nnlos]rofth«Jiidds;  liy  arlTcrttf  Jodd,  UST. 


I 

Digitized  by  Google 


AFFBHDIZ. 


423 


bate  for  tbo  District  of  Waterbury  till  1834,  and  as  a  judge  of  the 
County  Court  (the  List  year  presiding  judge)  till  May,  1820. 

Judge  Kingsbury  acquired,  in  an  eminent  degree,  the  confidtiuce  and 
respect  of  the  comraunity  in  which  he  lived.  lie  held  many  public 
otlices,  and  always  discharged  his  duties  ably,  faithfully  and  acceiitably. 
From  the  death  of  Judge  Hopkins  to  the  time  of  his  decease,  no  man  in 
tho  town  was  more  honored,  respected  and  beloved. 

Judge  Kingsbury  was  a  popular  man,  but  lie  became  so  in  conse- 
quence of  tho  benevolence  of  his  character,  his  kindly  sympathies,  his 
agreeable  manners  and  many  excellent  qualities.  lie  never  sacrificed 
principle  or  consistency.  He  was  a  good  neighbor  and  trusty  friend. 
Lively  in  his  manner,  easy  in  conversation,  often  fiicetious  in  his 
remarks,  his  company  was  sought  by  persons  of  all  ages  and  classes. 
His  long  aquiline  nose,  the  benevolent  smile  which  usually  played  upon 
his  countenance,  ftnd  his  winoiDg  way,  can  never  be  forgotten  by  those 
who  knew  him. 

Judge  Kingsbury  was  always  delicate  in  health,  and  for  the  last  twenty 
years,  or  more,  of  his  life,  had  strong  consumptive  tendencies.  He  died 
at  the  house  of  his  son-in-law,  William  Brown,  (with  whom  he  had  re- 
sided several  years,)  of  an  obstruction  of  the  bowels,  August  26,  1844. 

Mij.  JULIUS     B.  KINGSBURY 

Was  the  second  son  of  John  Kingsbury,  and  was  born  Oct.  18,  1797. 
As  in  his  youth  there  was  no  school  in  "SVatcrbury  of  a  higher  grade 
than  a  district  school,  he  w;is  sent  from  home  and  pursued  his 
studies  at  ditferent  times  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Tyler,  then  of  South  Britain^ 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Hart  of  Plymouth  and  Daniel  Parker  of  Ellsworth,  a 
society  of  Sharon.  In  1819,  he  obtained  through  the  influence  of 
David  Daggett,  then  a  member  of  Congress,  the  appointment  of 
cadet  at  the  Military  Academy  at  West  Point.  He  left  this  in- 
stitution, in  regular  course,  in  1823;  was  attached  as  lieutenant 
to  the  second  recriment  of  infantry,  and  ordered  with  a  detachment  of 
troops  to  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  at  the  outlet  of  Lake  Superior,  to  as- 
sist in  building  the  fort  called  Fort  Brady.  Here  he  remained 
three  or  four  years,  under  Maj.  afterwards  Col.  Cutler,  during  which 
time  (while  on  leave  of  absence  visiting  his  friends  at  the  East) 
he  marrie«l  Miss  Jane  Stebbins,  of  Xew  York,  sister-in-law  of  Capt,  W. 
Becker,  also  of  the  2d  regiment.  Next,  he  was  ordered  with  a  detach- 
ment bv  sea  to  New  Orleans  and  Nacogdoches,  then  on  our  southwestern 
frontier.  xVfter wards,  he  was  stationed  for  a  time  at  Mackinaw  and 
Fort  Gratiot.  During  the  BUck  Hawk  war  in  1832,  he  was  at  Chicago, 


Digitized  by  Google 


424 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATESBUBT. 


ait;i(  he.l  to  the  commissary  department,  and  saw  much  hard  and  dan- 
gerous service.  Wliile  there,  he  purchased  for  $700  about  30  acres  of 
land  on  the  North  Branch  of  the  Chicago  River,  near  its  junction  with 
the  South  Branch,  and  about  two  acres  on  the  south  side  of  the  Maio 
lliver,  the  latter  tract  in  the  heart  of  the  present  city,  and  the  former 
but  a  little  way  distant.  The  land  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the 
family,  and  is  now  thought  to  be  worth  several  hundred  thousand  dol- 
lars. When  the  purchase  was  made,  Chicago  was  in  its  infancy,  con- 
taining, in  1832,  aooording  to  M'Ciillock,  but  fire  small  Btorea  and  250 
inhabitants. 

Kingsbury  was  afterwards  at  Fort  Niagara.  Still  later,  during  the  dia- 
turbances  on  our  northeastern  frontier,  he  was  stationed  at  Hancock 
B  irracka,  Iloulton,  Maine.  Thence,  after  the  breakin<j:  out  of  the  Semi- 
nole war,  he  was  ordered,  with  his  command,  to  Tampa  Bay.  Florida, 
There  he  remained  three  years,  (with  the  exception  of  a  short  interval:) 
and  his  constitution  wa^  so  broken  by  the  combined  inliuence  of  climate, 
exposure  and  fatigue,  that  he  never  recovered.  On  his  xetum  to  the 
North,  he  was  stationed  at  Sacketts  Harbor,  and  afterwards  a  second 
time  to  Fort  Brady.  He  left  this  last  post  early  in  1847,  to  join  Gen. 
Scott  before  Vera  Cruz.  He  assisted  in  the  capture  of  that  place,  and 
was  more  or  less  engaged  in  all  the  battles  which  occurred  on  the  march 
to  the  city  of  Mexico.  For  his  good  conduct  in  one  of  the  engagements 
near  the  city,  he  was  breveted.  Throughout  the  campaign,  he  acted  as 
lieut.  colonel  of  his  regiment,  though  he  was  at  that  time  only  a  captain. 

While  in  Mexico,  CapU  Kingsbury  was  attacked  by  a  severe  brain 
fever,  which  seriously  threatened  his  life.  When  ho  had  recovered 
sufficient  strength.  Gen.  Scott  sent  him  home  "  on  sick  leave."  In  Dec. 
1848,  having  jciriially  regained  his  health,  he  was  ordered  with  a  part 
of  his  regiment  to  California,  where  he  remained  nearly  two  years. 
While  there,  he  was  promoted  and  transferred  to  the  sixth  regiment 
lie  returned  home  in  the  summer  of  1850,  but  too  much  out  of  health 
to  be  fit  for  duty.  IIo  spent  the  next  two  years  at  Washington  alid 
with  his  friends  at  tlie  East,  on  sick  leave.  lie  then  started  to  join  bis 
regiment  at  St.  Louis;  but  was  detained  at  I  Detroit  by  the  illness  of 
liimself  and  family,  where  he  was  compelled  to  spend  the  winter, 
(1852-3.)  While  at  Detroit,  owin^  to  some  misunderstanding  with  the 
War  Department^  not  implicating  his  integrity  or  honor,  his  name  was 
stricken  from  the  army  roll.  Concdving  himself  to  have  been  un&irly 
treated,  he  declined  to  make  any  explanation,  or  to  hold  any  communi- 
cation with  the  department.  Before  his  death,  however,  he  settled  all 
hts  accounts  with  the  goremment  and  received  a  balance  which  was 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


425 


found  due  him.  He  died  in  Wasbiogton,  when  on  the  point  of  leaving 
for  tbeEas;,  of  maligoaot  dysentery,  July  26,  1856.  His  remains  were 
brought  to  Waterbury,  where  he  was  bnriol,  according  to  his  eipreased 
wishes,  in  the  old  buiying gFOOod  by  the  side  of  his  father. 

Maj.  Kingsbury  was  a  brave  and  skillful  officer,  who  was  always  equal 
to  tlie  duties  imposed  upon  him.  He  was  nearly  thirty  years  connected 
with  the  army,  and  though  sometimes  charged  with  indolence  and  pro- 
crastination, was  ever  distinguished  for  honorable  conduct.  He  lost 
bis  health  and  ruined  his  constitution  in  the  public  service.  Long  before 
his  death,  the  seeds  of  certain  dissolution  had  been  planted  in  his  sys- 
tem. His  loss  was  a  sore  bereaTement  to  a  large  circle  of  friends  and 
acquaintances.  He  whs  esdmable  and  respectable  in  all  his  relations, 
and  his  memory  will  not  soon  be  Ic^t  He  left  behind  him  a  widow, 
a  daughter  who  married  Capt.  Backner,  recently  of  the  U.  S.  Army, 
and  a  son  named  Henry,  who  is  now  a  cadet  at  West  Point.  His  eld- 
est son,  Jalios,  died  in  California  several  years  ago. 

MAEK  LEAVENWORTH 

Was  bom  in  New  Haven,  August  3l8t,  1774,  and  died  in  Waterbury, 
Sept  5th,  1849,  aged  75  yean.  His  father,  Jesse  Leavenworth,  a  grad- 
uate of  Yale  College  and  a  captain  in  the  Revolution,  was  a  man  of 
much  enterprise,  and  previous  to  the  war  was  largely  engaged  (for  the 
times)  in  the  shipping  interest  His  mother,  Katharine  Leavenworth, 
was  a  woman  of  great  spirit  and  firmness,  as  was  instanced  by  her  in- 
sisting on  remaining  at  her  residence,  during  the  invasion  of  New 
Haven  by  the  British,  while  her  husband  was  absent  conveying  their 
children  to  9  place  of  safety,  and  when  nearly  all  the  inhabitants  had 
fled. 

At  the  age  of  ten  yean,  the  aubject  of  this  notice  removed  with  his 
father  to  the  county  of  Caledonia,  in  Vermont,  at  which  time  there  was 
not  a  white  man  living  within  thirty  miles  in  the  direction  of  Canada,  and 
but  one  hmXy  within  many  miles  of  their  residence.  The  fisther  owned 
what  are  now  the  towns  of  Danville  and  Peacham.  At  the  age  of  four- 
teen, beooming  dissatisfied,  he  determined  to  return  to  Connecticut 
He  performed  the  journey  on  foot  and  alone.  The  distance  was  near 
three  hundred  miles.  After  bis  return  to  New  Haven,  he  resided  in 
the  family  of  bis  unde,  Hark  Leavenworth,  Eiq.,  who  sent  him  to 
a  school,  (Mansfield's,)  where  he  studied  geometry,  navigation  and  sur- 
veying, intending  to  go  to  sea,  an  Idea  which  he  afterwards  relin- 
quished. Further  than  this,  his  school  education  was  limited,  being 
confined  to  reading,  writing,  geography  and  a  good  knowledge  of 
arithmetia 


Digitized  by  Google 


I 


426  HI8T0&Y  OF  WAT£SBUBY. 

Afler  leaving  school,  he  was  engaged  in  mechanical  pursuits.  He 
was  employed  for  a  number  of  years  with  Jesse  llopkins  of  Waterbury» 
in  that  branch  of  the  silversmith  business  which  was  applied  to  making 
knee  and  shoe  buckles.  Near  the  period  of  his  majority,  Uie  fiuhiou 
having  changed,  this  branch  of  the  business  became  worthless.  At  iht 
age  of  twenty-one  years,  lie  married  Anna,  the  daughter  of  Moses 
Cooke  of  Waterbury,  (a  woman  of  placid  temper,  excellent  seoBe  and 
great  moral  worth,)  and  commenced  life  with  no  other  capital  than 
great  energy,  a  determined  will  and  uncommonly  industrious  halntl. 
They  had  seven  children,  six  of  whom  arrived  at  the  age  of  maturity,  of 
whom  the  eldest  two  alone  survive.  After  his  marriage,  he  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  axes  and  steelyards,  and  also  the  mountings  of  small 
arms,  (guns,)  such  as  ramrotls,  bands  and  bayonets.  At  this  business 
be  employed  a  number  of  hands  until  the  \vat  1600.  In  the  fall  of 
that  y«.'ar,  he  left  for  South  Carolina  and  (Jeorgia  with  steelyards  and 
axes.  This  was  an  adventure  wiiich  at  tlie  time  chilled  furth  more  re- 
mark and  excited  more  wonder  than  the  circumnavit^alion  of  the  globe 
would  in  our  day.  In  the  year  1801,  in  company  with  his  brother.  Dr. 
Frederick  Leavenworth,  he  collected  a  drove  of  mules  in  Vermont  and 
New  Hampshire,  which  were  driven  to  South  Carolina  and  Georgia. 
He  continued  in  this  business  about  five  years.  lie  returned  in  the 
summers,  and  employed  himself  in  constructing  one  or  oiore  of  Whit- 
ney's cotton-gins.  The  gin  was  then  a  recent  invention.  After  ceasing 
to  go  South,  he  commenced  the  manufacture  of  clocks,  iu  whirh  busi- 
ness he  was  for  many  years  extensively  en^Mged.  In  1829,  in  addition 
to  the  clock  business,  he  became  interested  with  his  son,  B.  F.  Leaven- 
worth, and  his  son-in-law,  Green  Kendrick,  in  the  manufacture  of  gilt 
buttons.  In  1835,  he  ceased  to  manufacture  clocks,  and  engaged  per- 
sonally iu  the  manufacture  of  gilt  and  cloth  buttons,  with  his  son-in-law, 
C.  S.  Sperry,  which  lie  continued  till  his  death.  lie  was  a  pioneer  in 
manufacturing  in  the  town  of  Waterbur}-.  hy  rcatling  and  observa- 
tion, he  became  a  man  of  much  intelligence,  lie  was  benevolent  and 
public  spirited.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church,  with 
which  he  and  his  wife  united  in  181 7. — She  died  April  9th,  1842. 

In  person,  Mr,  Leavenworth  was  of  middle  stature,  his  frame  com- 
pactly and  firmly  knit  together,  and  his  constitution  good.  Though 
not  always  fortunate  in  business,  he  was  a  man  of  untiring  industry, 
and  indomitable  energy  and  j^erseve ranee.  It  was  when  laboring  under 
embarrassment  that  these  traits  were  most  conspicuous.  When  others 
would  have  despaired,  he  saw  reason  for  redoulileil  efibrt  and  more 
untiring  application.    Under  a  load  which  would  have  broken  tlie  back 


Digitized  by  Google 


AFPBBnnZi 


427 


or  (•rushe<l  the  spirit  of  an  ordinary  man,  he  moved  with  freedom  and 
clieerfulncss.  If  ba<l  'luck  overtook  him,  he  was  always  ready  to  try 
again,  and  never  failed  to  find  something  to  comfort  him.  When  the 
storm  came  upon  him  in  1837,  and  he  was  obliged  to  yiehl,  he  con" 
floled  himself  with  the  reflection  that  he  "  stood  it  longer  than  the 
United  State*  Bank."    And  it  may  be  added  that  Ito  recovered  sooner. 

Mr.  Ijeavenworth  had  one  of  the  kindest  of  hearts.  He  was  well  in- 
formed, sociable,  sensible  and  shrewd.  There  was  sometimes  an  archness 
and  a  dry  humor  in  his  remarks,  particularly  on  character,  which  ren- 
dered hia  familiar  conversation  quite  attractive. 

Gen.  DANIEL  rOTTER 

Wwone  of  the  thirteen  ehildnii  (the  twefth,  chronologically)  of  Dca* 
Daniel  Potter,  and  was  born  in  Northbury,  Feb.  16,  1758.  lie  grad- 
uated at  Yale  College  in  1780,  married,  Jan.  25,  1781,  Martha,  daugh- 
ter of  Caleb  llumaston,  Esq.,  and  settled,  as  a  farmer,  in  Northbury, 
tben  a  pariah  of  Watertown.  He  was  a  representative  to  the  General 
Assembly  several  times,  both  before  and  after  Northbaiy  was  made  (in 
1795)  a  distinct  town.  He  was  a  roan  of  a  vigoroiia  intellect  and  a 
Bound  judgment,  and  exerted  a  w  ide  influence.  His  tall,  erect  and  manly 
^rure'was  a  fitting  tabernacle  for  a  mind  like  his. 

Gen.  Potter  had  four  children,  Horace,  Ansel,  Minerva  and  Daniel 
TerUns.  He  died  AprU  21, 1842,  and  hia  wife  April  28, 1842.* 

MARK  RICHARDS 
Was  the  yooogesi  child  and  fifth  son  of  Abijah  Richards,  and  was 
t)om  July  15, 1760,  in  a  house  which  stood  on  the  west  side  of  Cook 
street,  near  where  Noah  Bronson  now  lives.  He  was  the  great  grand- 
son of  Obadiah  Richards,  one  of  the  fint  planters  of  Waterbury.  His 
mother  was  Huldah  Hopkins,  the  eldest  daughter  of  Timothy  Hopkins, 
and  sister  of  Samuel,  Daniel  and  Mark  Hopkins.  She  possessed  the 
atrength  of  mind  which  belonged  to  her  fiimily,  and  attended  per- 
sonally to  the  proper  training  of  her  son,  who  was  not  quite  thirteen 
years  of  age  when  his  fiither  died. 

When  the  Revolution  broke  out,  in  1775,  Richards  was  too  young  to 
enter  the  army;  but  he  caught  the  spirit  of  the  times.  When  he  be- 
came sixteen,  an  age  which  entitled  him  to  shoulder  a  musket,  he  de- 


•  lAAun  Potter,  the  non  of  D<"a.  Daniel  find  Martha  (Ray)  Pott«r,  wan  born  In  Northbury, 
Jalj  23, 17i6 ;  graUuatcd  at  Yal«  College  lo  1767,  in  the  same  clan  at  John  Tnunhull ;  wa*  or- 
dftlMd  al  L«bMMa,N.B.,laang;l'ni;  rctlnd  froon  Ida  dkaqt*  In  SepulSlS^ud  dtodbjrbit 
oirn-luuidlDA«gaat,ieir.  BtpriblUh«dsllSMBleMnBoaddlr«NdstHaDOT«r,N.B.,180l. 


Digitized  by  Google 


428 


mSTOBX  OF  WATEBBUBY. 


tcrinined  to  join  llic  army.  That  bis  design  might  not  be  defeated  by 
the  interference  of  frie^.l^,  lie  left  U'h  bed  in  the  night,  passe«i  out  of  the 
window,  and  repaired  to  the  camp  of  Gen.  Wooster  and  enlisted.  In 
tlie  morning,  the  family  wa?,  of  course,  much  alarmed.  At  last,  infor- 
mation was  received  where  the  truant  boy  could  be  found,  and  his  eldest 
brother.  Street,  was  sent  to  bring  him  back,  without  fail.  On  applica- 
tion to  iion.  Wooster,  and  after  a  stutenu  iit  had  been  made  of  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  case,  permission  w.'is  obtained  for  the  young  recmit 
to  return,  lie  declined  doing  so,  however,  most  peremptcrily  ;  and  de- 
clared that,  as  he  had  made  an  engagement  with  his  country,  he  would 
fultill  it,  and  see  the  game  played  out.  As  he  was  of  a  determined  and 
]'cr.-,evering  disposition,  importunity  was  seen  to  be  useless,  and  the  dis- 
appointed brother  returned  reluctantly  to  his  sorrowing  friends.  The 
soldier  boy  remained  with  the  army  through  the  war;  was  wiih  the 
sufiering  troops  at  Valley  Forge,  in  the  winter  of  1777-8;  was  present 
in  many  battles,  and  »lied  a  pensioner. 

After  the  war,  Mr.  Richards  went  to  Boston  and  became  the  partner 
of  his  brother  Giles,*  a  man  of  enterprise  and  mechanical  skill,  who 
carried  on  the  business  of  making  \v(m)1  and  cotton  cards  by  hand.  The 
Messrs.  Cutters  and  William  and  Amos  Whittemore,  the  last  the  invent- 
or of  the  famous  card  making  machine,  were  also  partners.  The  bubi- 
ness  was  prosperous. 

In  1796,  on  account  of  his  wife's  health,  Mr.  Richards  removed  from 
Boston  and  settled  in  "Westminster,  Windham  County,  Vt.,  where  be 
became  a  tradesman.  lie  was  soon  chosen  to  represent  tije  town  in 
the  Legislature  of  the  State,  and  was  eight  years  a  member  of  that 
body,  between  1801  and  1834  inclusive.  In  1800,  1807,  16U8  and 
1809,  he  was  high  slierilT  of  the  County;  in  1812  and  1824,  one  of  the 
electors  of  president  and  vice-president  of  the  U.  S.;  in  1813  and  1815, 
a  member  of  the  State  Council.  He  served  four  years  as  a  rejtresenta- 
tive  in  Congress,  being  elected  in  181G  and  recdected  in  1818.  In 
1830,  he  was  chosen  lieutenant  governor  of  the  State. 

Mr.  Richards  was  distinguished  for  good  sense,  great  industry,  method 
in  business,  and  punctuality  in  all  his  engagements.  Till  the  close  of 
his  life  in  1844,  he  retained  the  high  respect  and  entire  contidence  of 
bis  friends  and  fellow  citizens.    Soon  after  he  went  to  Boston,  be  mar* 

*  CMm  BtehMTdt,  Neond  ton  of  AbQtb,  married  flualifflM  rouafMt  dMgM«r  «f  th«  Ber. 
Thomu  Adams  of  Roxbury,  Mass.,  nnd  had  children— 1  .OIU'S,  Jr. ;  2.  *^fti«*|  vIm  removed  to 
Ohio;  8.  George, of  Pari*, (Fr«oce ;)  4.  Sarah,  Utefttltvlfe  of  Asmm  X«wriBe*kliq.,Bo«too} 
0k  Uarj,  who  married  John  K.  Adaii,  Boston. 

GOet  Richard*  «w  flltlmalcly  ultavtuatt  In  Iturinwii  and  dlad  at  Dadham,  ICam.t  maA 
rmpMtcd. 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPE2a)IX. 


ried  Add  Dorr,  widow  of  Joieph  Dorr  of  Boston,  and  daughter  of  Jo- 
seph Rnggles  of  Bozbniy,  Mbm^  a  woman  of  good  fiimily,  by  whom  he 
bad  several  children.  Two  only,  daughters,  sumred  him,  one  of  whom 
married  the  Hon.  William  C.  Bradley,  (brmerly  member  of  Congress 
from  Vermont,  and  the  other  Hon.  6amttel  W.  Porter  of  Springfield, 
Vermont. 

JAMES  MITCHELL  LAMSON  SCOVILL. 

lie  was  the  eldest  born  of  James  and  Alathea  (Lamson  )  Sootill, 
and  the  grandson  of  Bav,  James  Scovill.  He  wm  bom  Sept.  4,  1780, 
and  died  May  16,  1857.  His  early  education  was  obtained  at  the  dis- 
trict schools.  According  to  his  own  account  of  himself,  he  was  a  wide 
awake  "  youth,  and  kept  the  pedagogues  busy.  At  the  age  of  seventeen, 
bo  became  a  clerkjn  hisfatber^s  store.  In  1811,  Sept.  19,  ]ie  and  Frede- 
rick Leavenworth  bought  out  the  (actory,  machinery,  tools  and  stock  of 
Abel  Porter  <k  Co.,  and  in  connection  wit}\  David  Hayden  commenced 
the  manufacture  of  gilt  and  brass  buttons,  under  the  name  of  Leaven- 
worth,  Hayden  &  Scovill.*  Some  of  the  work  was  done  in  the  old  grist 
mill.  •  Mr.  Hayden  was  the  only  practical  button  maker  in  the  com  pap 
ny.  Mr.  Scovill  sold  the  goods  and  attended  to  the  out-of-door  busi- 
ness. When  traveling,  he  improved  every  chance  to  pick  up  old 
copper.  About  once  a  month,  he  made  a  journey  to  tlie  iron  mill  at 
Bradleyville,  Litchfield,  and  waited  to  have  his  brass  rolled.  On  one  of 
his  return  trips  he  had  an  old  copper  still  in  his  sleigh.  As  there  was 
no  other  place  to  ride,  he  got  inside.  Afterwards  be  was  overturned,  but 
drawing  his  head  within,  he  rolled  down  the  hill  uninjured. 

About  1811,  the  Waterbury  "Woolen  Co.,  under  the  superintendence 
of  Austin  Steele,  commenced  operations.  James  Scovill  and  Leaven- 
worth, Hayden  <k  Scovill  were  stockholders.  When  peace  was  de- 
clared, woolen  goods  went  down,  and  this  investment  wjia  a  total  loss. 

LeavenwoKh,  Hayden  «fc  Scovill  continued  business,  with  very  mod- 
erate success,  till  the  fall  of  1827,  when  Dr.  Leavenworth  and  Mr.  Ha}  den 
sold  out,  and  William  U.  Scovill  bought  in.  Dr.  L.  got  for  his  one  third 

•  The  MOMi  off  bO  Um  p«rta«n  wtrt  bitrodMcd  Into  Um  partewriUp  ntme  at  the  partlenlar 

request  of  Mr,  Hayden.  It--  hml  Iim!  nonu-  painful  cTperlriu  i'<i  which  made  him  strenuous  i.ti  thlf 
point.  UU  oaate  wm  not  knoim  In  the  Arm  of  Abel  Porter  k  Co.  WhUe  m  member  of  tills 
eompanj,  witlKMit  miidi  knevledge  of  the  fomif  of  boeliieM,  he  went  to  Ifev  Hareo  to  draw 
tnonej  Out  of  the  >mnk.  He  ilrew  a  check,  ilRned  the  company's  name,  and  presented  It  to  the 
old  New  Haven  Bank.  The  officer*  did  not  know  him.  He  most  bring  evidence  of  his  indivldaal 
Identlt J  and  partnership  relatioo.  The  day  waa  sptBt  In  fhdtiess  endeavors  to  find  the  needed 
proof.  Of  coarse  he  waa  In  a  toweriof  ngt,  and  showered  epithet*  upon  the  stuiiid  hank  ofB- 
cIbIs.  ii<-  rrtiirtu  I  b>>iiie  wUhottt aoB«f  OMO^  to  paj  fit*  fsci,  Boboxdeiiliig  hllBMlf  to  the 
rocks  and  trees  oa  the  way. 


Digitized  by  Google 


430 


UISTOKY  OF  WATERBUBY. 


interest  about  $6,000.  The  new  finn  took  the  nameof  J.  IL  L.  W.  H. 
ScovilL  They  went  on  prosperously  till  1820,  when  they  met  with  a 
severe  loss  by  the  burning  of  their  fiustory.  It  was  immediately  rebuilt, 
and  the  business  soon  became  more  extenaiYe  and  flourishing  than  erer. 
In  1840,  S.  M.  Buckingham  and  Abram  Ires  became  interested  in  the 
button  business,  which  was  now  carried  on  under  the  name  of  SeoviU  A 
Go.  J.  M.  L.  4f  W.  H.  Soovill  continued  the  manufacture  of  rolled  brass 
and  plated  metal,  which  had  now  become  an  important  fnto^  They 
also  associated  themselves  with  John  Buckingham,  under  the  name  of 
Soovilb  Buckingham,  in  the  maldng  of  patent  brass  butts,  the  busi- 
ness being  carried  on  at  the  place  now  owned  by  the  OakviUe  Fin  Ok, 
on  Steefs  Brook.  About  1842,  they  began  the  maou&etttre  of  Daguerre- 
otype plates,  and  soon  did  an  eitensive  business  in  that  line.  In  Jan. 
1860,  a  joint  itodc  company  was  formed  under  the  name  of  ScoHU  Man- 
ulacturing  Co.,  into  which  all  the  interests  named  above,  those  of  J.  IL 
L.  A  W.  n.  Scovill,  Scovills  &  Buckingham  and  Scovills  St  Co^  were 
merged,  some  of  their  employees  being  admitted  as  stockholders.  The 
Scovills  owned  a  majority  of  the  stock.  The  capital  was  at  first 
$250,000.  It  is  now  $300,000.  The  operations  of  die  company  have 
been  upon  a  large  scale  and  succeasfol. 

The  present  manufiusturing  interests  of  Waterbury  are  pi^riiaps  more  in- 
debted to  Larason  Scovill  than  to  any  other  man.  He  was  bold,  energetic 
and  sflgacious.  He  had  enlarged  views  and  that  d^ree  of  confidence  in 
the  future  which  ensured  success.  So  soon  as  be  got  strength  of  his  own, 
he  was  ready  to  lend  assistance  to  others.  Many  enterprises  have  been 
carried  forward  to  a  succeasfu!  result  by  his  kindly  aid.  Not  only  his 
relations,  but  his  friends,  in  the  largest  sense,  shared  in  his  financial 
prosperity.  He  was  foremost  in  all  the  improveuionts  of  his  native  vil- 
lage. His  own  generous  impulses  he  did  not  hesitate  to  follow,  even 
when  indulgence  was  expensive.  He  was  a  large-liearted  man  wiili 
so<;ial,  kindly  feelings.  Few  persons  have  been  equally  respected  or 
more  beloved.  He  was  a  nioinber  of  St.  John's  church,  of  which  he  was 
an  important  benefactor.  Ilia  generosity  and  that  of  his  brother  Wil- 
li;iin  founded  a  professorship  in  Wat-hington  College,  which  is  named 
after  the  donors.  At  the  time  of  his  funeral,  the  factories,  stores  and 
public  places  of  the  city  were  closed,  and  the  countenances  of  the  citi- 
zens, assembled  in  large  numbers,  wore  an  aspect  of  honest  grief. 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


431 


'  WILLIAM  HENRY  SGOVILL, 

A  younLr»'r  iToihor  of  the  preceding,  was  born  July  27,  lYOO.  Uis 
motlier  was  Alalhea,  the  daughter  of  Mitchel  Lamaon  of  Woodbury,  a 
woman  of  excellent  character  and  superior  endowments,  who  died  a 
few  years  ago,  aged  about  80. 

Mr.  Scovill  sj)ent  his  early  life  at  home  on  tiie  farm  and  in  thu  store 
of  his  father.  When  about  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  went  to  scliool 
at  the  Acwlemy  in  Cheshire,  then  taught  by  tlio  Rev.  l>r,  Bronson. 
He  was  there  in  the  winter  of  1812-13.  In  the  following  year,  he 
became  a  clerk  in  a  store  in  New  Haven,  first  in  the  employment  of  Mr. 
Brush,  and  then  in  that  of  Mr.  Peck,  When  about  20  years  of  age,  he 
returned  to  Waterbury  and  opened  a  store,  the  capital  being  furnished 
by  Mr.  Peck.  Tho  businass  not  proving  successful,  it  was  abandoned 
after  two  years' trial,  and  Mr.  Scovill  again  engaged  himself  as  a  clerk 
to  liis  uncle,  William  K.  Lawsou,  of  Berwick,  Pennsylvania,  in  whose 
employment  he  remained  about  two  years.  The  next  year,  after  leaving 
Berwick,  he  went  into  trade  on  his  own  account  at  a  place  called 
Turn<jr'.s  Cross  lioads,  near  the  Roanoke,  in  North  Carolina,  w  liere,  in 
addition  to  the  usual  articles  of  a  country  store,  he  dealt  somewhat  in 
cotton.  Here  he  remained  several  years,  and  accumulated  five  or  six 
thousand  dollars.  In  1827,  he  visited  Waterbury  and  made  an  en- 
gagement with  his  elder  brother,  J.  M.  L,  Scovill,  to  become  his  partner 
in  the  business  of  manufacturing  metal  buttons. 

On  the  2d  day  of  July,  1827,  Mr.  Scovill  was  married  at  Black  Lake, 
near  Ogdensburgh,  N.  Y.,  to  Eunice  Ruth  Davies,  daughter  of  Hon. 
Thomas  J.  Davies.  By  this  marriage  he  had  four  children,  two  of 
whom  still  survive,  Mrs.  F.  J.  Kinirsburv  of  Waterburv  and  Mrs.  Curtis 
of  New  York  City.  Mrs.  Scovill,  a  woman  of  many  virtues,  of  uncom- 
mon intelligence  and  great  force  of  cliaracter,  died,  much  lamented,  of 
pulmonary  consumption,  Nov.  25,  1839. 

Mr.  Scovill  was  again  married,  March  22d,  1841,  to  Rebecca  11. 
Smith,  second  daughter  of  Hon.  Nallian  Smith,  deceased,  of  New  Haven, 
by  whom  he  had  three  children,  one  of  whom,  a  son,  still  survives,  lie 
died  at  Charleston,  S.  C,  whither  he  had  gone  for  the  recovery  of  his 
health,  (which  !iad  been  for  several  months  declining,)  March  27,  1854. 
Uis  second  wife  died  the  4th  day  of  August  following. 

Mr.  Scovill,  for  many  years  before  his  death,  filled  a  large  space  and 
exercised  a  wide  influence,  in  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  He 
was  a  sagacious  business  man  of  comprehensive  views,  who  assisted  his 
brother  in  coDducliog  one  of  the  most  extensive  aod  prosperous  man- 


Digitized  by  Google 


432 


HIBIORT  OF  WATEBBURT. 


ufacturiog  establiabmeoU  in  Waterbury.  He  was  a  man  of  intellige  nce, 
of  generous  sympathies  and  inflexible  principle.  Ilis  wealth  he  dis- 
tributed with  a  free  hand  in  the  way  of  both  public  and  private  charity. 
To  every  goofl  caw^e,  li.'  was  ready  to  give  material  aid.  He  was  em- 
phatically a  public  benefactor,  and  his  loss  was  a  public  ailamity.  He 
was  one  of  the  most  active  and  influential  members  of  St  JohnV 
church,  AVaterbury  ;  was  seuior  warden  for  many  years,  and  was  among 
the  foremost  in  the  work  of  erecting  the  beautiful  edifice  in  which  the 
society  now  worship.  Throughout  the  State,  he  was  known  as  the 
liberal  patron  of  the  church  and  its  institutions. 

Mr.  Scovill  was  not  less  distinguished  for  his  social  and  private  than 
for  his  public  virtues.  At  his  own  fireside,  in  the  bosom  of  his  family, 
among  his  intimate  friends  and  in  all  the  most  sacred  relations  of  life, 
he  was  £uthful,  affectionate  and  true. 

JUNIUS  SMITH,  LL. 

The  third  son  of  Hajor-General  David  Smith,  (a  major  in  the  Bevola> 
tion,)  was  bom  in  Watertown,  Northbnry  Parish,  Oct.  2, 1780.  He 
graduated  at  Tale  College  in  1802,  studied  law  in  the  Law  School  in 
Litchfield,  and  settled  as  a  lawyer  in  New  Haven.  In  1805,  he  had 
occasion  to  go  to  London  on  business,  and  being  detained  beyond  hia 
expectations,  engaged  in  commerce,  maintaining  his  connection  with 
Tallmadge,  Smith  A  Co.,  of  Kew  York.  In  1810,  he  visited  his  friends 
in  this  country,  but  soon  returned.  On  the  9th  of  April,  1812,  he 
married  Sarah  Allen,  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Allen,  Esq ,  of  Hudders- 
field,  Torkshire.* 

Mr.  Smith  continued  his  mercantile  pursuits  with  varied  sucoeta,  till 
1882.  He  then  interested  himself  in  the  great  cause  of  Transatlantic 
Steam  Navigation,  in  connection  with  which,  bis  name  has  become 
widely  celebrated.  He  sailed  for  New  'York  in  August,  his  thoughts 
intently  occupied  with  the  subject  He  became  convinced  that  the 
Atlantic  could  be  traversed  by  steam,  and  when  he  arrived  at  New 
York,  endeavored  to  awaken  an  interest  in  his  plans  among  merchants 
and  others.  He  was  met  by  a  smile  of  incredulity,  and  returned  to 
London  in  Dec.  (1832.)  Here  he  first  applied  to  the  London  and  Ed- 
inburgh Steam  Navigation  Coni[>any,  whose  steam  vessels  were  the 
largest  afioat,  and  tried  to  enlist  it  in  bia  undertaking.  Failing  in  thi?, 
he  made  efforts  to  find  and  charter  a  vessel  for  an  experimental  trip, 

*  See  KUboarne'*  Btographlcal  ntatory  of  Litchfield  OottPty*  Ae^  *  of  vkldi  I  hm 

mad*  trm  bm  In  Ute  pr«pftrmt(oa  of  Uiis  sketeta. 


Digitized  by  Google 


AFFKNDIX. 


433 


but  met  with  no  success.  lie  then  began  to  consider  whether  he 
could  not  compass  his  object  by  the  formation  of  a  joint-stock  company 
for  the  pijrpose  of  constructing  steamships  for  Atlantic  navigation.  On 
the  first  of  .June,  1836,  a  prospectus  of  a  company  proposing  a  capital 
of  £100,000  was  issued,  in  his  own  name,  and  widely  distributed,  at 
considerable  expense,  among  the  London  merchants,  particularly  those 
engaged  in  the  New  York  trade.  A  very  few  regarded  the  plan  with 
fivor ;  but  generally  it  was  made  the  subject  of  gibes  and  jeers.  Its 
author  was  ridiculed  as  u  visionary.  Men  of  science  regarde<l  the  en- 
terprise with  incredulity,  and  declared  that  it  must  fail  as  a  practical 
tliitif;.  No  steamer,  they  said,  could  survive  tliose  terrible  storms 
which  sweep  the  Atlantic.  The  result  was,  as  might  have  been  foreseen, 
and  as  >fr.  Smith  himself  apprehended,  not  A  single  share  was  taken." 
Men  of  capit.il  are  slow  to  embark  their  means  in  untried  experiments. 
Were  it  not  ao,  they  would  soon  oeaae  to  be  capitalists.  This  habitual 
caution  (conBerratiam)  of  wealth  may  retard,  but  will  not  prevent  the 
birth  of  discovery  and  improvement. 

Mr.  Smith,  nothing  daunted,  now  revised  his  prospectus,  raised  the 
capital  to  £500,000  and  named  the  association  The  l^ritish  a!id  Ameri- 
can Steam  Navigation  Company.   But  he  could  get  nobody  to  stand 
as   directoiB.    At  length,  however,  after  numoron':   and  various 
difloounigeiiie&tli  such  as  would  have  disheartened  ordinary  men,  a 
company  was  organized  with  eleven  directors,  (Mr.  Smith  one  of  them,) 
with  Isaac  Sol  by,  Esq.,  for  chairman.   The  capital  was  inereaaed  to 
£1,000,000,  and  subscribers  were  readily  obtained.    It  was  proposed  to 
croaa  the  Atlantic  in  fifteen  days.   In  July,  1836,  the  company  adver- 
tised for  proposals,  and  in  September  a  contract  was  made  with  some 
ship  builder  to  construct  a  steamer  of  2016  tons,  the  keel  of  which 
was  laid  April  1st,  1837.    It  was  afterwards  called  the  British  Queen. 
But  there  was  delay  in  getting  in  the  boilers,  and  the  Sinus,  of  about 
700  tons,  was  chartered  to  take  her  place.   The  latter  sailed  from  Cork 
on  tlu'  4th  of  April,  1838,  and  arrived  in  New  York  on  the  morning  of 
the  23d.    She  was  the  first  vessel  that  steamed  her  way  across  the  At- 
lantic.   It  is  true,  the  steamer  Savannah,  sailing  from  Savannah,  Geor- 
gia,  had  performed  tlie  voyage,  in  1819;  but  steam  was  used  only 
when  Muls  could  not  be  employed.    As  a  practical  thing,  the  great 
question  of  Transatlantic  Steam  Navigation  was  solved  by  the  persevering 
efforts  and  dauntless  energy  of  Mr.  Smith.    If  ho  is  not,  in  strictness, 
entitled  to  the  name  of  a  discoverer,  ho  merits  little  le>s.    Ue  saw, 
mors  clearly  than  others,  the  bearing  of  certain  great  scientific  truths, 
and  was  the  first  to  turn  them  to  practical  account. 

On  the  afUtnofm  of  the  same  day  that  the  Sinus  reached  New  York, 

28 


Digitized  by  Google 


484 


mSIOSY  OF  WATEBBUBT, 


the  Great  Western,  of  1340  tons,  arrived  ;  Laving  i-ai!eti  from  Bristol, 
April  7th.  The  appearance  of  these  two  steamships^  at  about  the  same 
time,  from  anothf-r  continent,  waa  the  cause  of  the  mo^i  lively  and  ex- 
citing demonstrations.  Subsequently,  (July,  1839.)  Mr.  Smith  hioia^ 
embarked  from  London,  in  the  British  Queen,  and  was  received  iaNew 
York  w  ith  hearty  congratulations.  Soon  after,  he  received  the  honorary 
degree  of  I  >(M  tor  of  Laws  from  Yale  Collie,  and  was  made  the  presi- 
dent of  his  company. 

Having  secured  one  great  object  of  his  ambition,  Mr.  Smith  turned 
his  attention  in  a  new  direction,  llo  had  visited  China  and  made 
himself  familiar  with  the  Tea  plant,  its  habits,  mode  of  cultivation,  <Src. 
He  satisfied  himself  that  it  would  grow  and  thrive  in  his  native  coun- 
try, and  resolved  to  make  the  experiment.  He  purchased  an  extensive 
plantation,  in  all  respects  favorable  to  his  object,  in  Greenville,  South 
Carolina,  and  began  the  work,  which  he  prosecuted  for  the  several  re- 
maining years  of  his  life.  His  immediate  purpose  was  to  propagate 
and  naturalize  the  plant,  and  he  supposed  he  bad  succeeded;  but  his 
illncs.s  and  death,  and  the  subsequent  neglect  of  his  plantation,  put  an 
end  to  the  hopes  of  those  who  had  watched,  with  the  greatest  interest, 
the  progress  of  the  imdertaking.  He  died  in  Astoria,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  23, 
1853,  from  the  effects  of  an  injury  which  he  had  received  a  year  before. 
His  wife  had  died  previously,  (1836.)  He  had  one  child,  a  daughter, 
(now  deceased,)  who  married  the  Rev.  Edward  Knight  Maddoi,  an 
Eoglish  clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England. 

Caft.  DANIEL  SOUTHBfAYD 

Was  iho  SOD  of  tbe  B«v;  John  Soathmayd,  aad  was  bom  April  10, 
llll.  Ho  reom?od  a  liberal  edneation  at  Tale  College,  and  waa  gradn- 
ated  in  1741.  On  learing  eollege,  he  retnrned  to  his  native  vilbge^  and 
gave  bis  attention  to  filming  and  publie  busineBt.  He  became  a 
seleetoian,  a  moderator  of  town  meetingSi  a  captam  of  militia,  a  jostiee 
of  the  peace,  &c  For  eight  aeaaions,  beginning  with  1751,  he  waa  a 
representative  to  the  General  Assembly.  He  was  much  beloved  far  the 
qnalities  of  his  heart»  and  greatly  respected  for  soundness  of  mind  and 
force  of  character.  He  was  vastly  popular,  and  in  the  opinion  of  his 
contemporaries  and  immediate  snocessorsi  had  estraordinaiy  talenta. 
Long  after  his  deoease,  it  was  a  common  remark  that  he  was  the  great- 
est  man  ever  bom  or  reared  in  Waterbmy.  At  the  time  of  his  death, 
Mr.  Leavenworth  preached  a  ftineral  disconne ;  and  snoh  was  the  oom- 
bined  effect  of  the  sermon,  the  occasion  and  the  theme^  that  the  whole 
congregation  were  thrown  into  tears.* 

•  ]|.BraiiMB'illB& 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


435 


Mr.  Southinayd  died  Jan.  12»  1754.  He  had  married,  March  24, 
1749,  Hannah,  daughter  of  Samuel  Brown,  who  hore  him  three  children. 
The  widow  married  Qen.  Spencer  of  East  Haddam. 

SAMU£L  W.  SOUTHMAYD 

Wae  (he  eldeit  son  of  Samuel,  the  grandeon  of  John,  (the  oonstable,)  and 
the  great  giandaon  of  the  Be7.  John  Southmajd,  and  waa  bom  in  Weet- 
bury,  Sept  1773.  Hia  mother*a  name  waa  Dorcas  Sldnner.  He  made 
choice  of  the  legal  profesaion,  pursued  his  studies  at  the  Law  Sohool  in 
Litchfield,  under  Judge  Reeve,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1795,*  and 
settled  in  Watertown.  He  had  not  the  advantages  of  an  Mademical 
education ;  nor  had  he  the  disadvantages  too  often  arising  from  the  se- 
clusion, the  inexperience,  the  oonstraints  and  artificial  methods  of  a  col- 
lege life.  He  was  a  self-made  man,  as  all  men  of  unusual  intelleetual  pro. 
portions  are.  Mere  literature  comes  of  good  sohooling,]|but  not  greatness* 

Mr.  Southmayd  soon  rose  to  eminence  in  his  profession.  At  the  bar, 
he  was  considered  as  a  man  of  rare  talents.  But  he  was  unusually 
modeet,  and  before  a  court,  his  diflBdence  sometimes  inteHered  with  his 
success  as  an  advocate. 

Out  of  his  profession,  Mr.  Southmayd  had,  to  an  qnusnal  d^greCi  the 
respect,  the  confidence  and  the  friendship  of  his  acquaintance.  He  was 
known  for  his  equanimity  of  temper  and  kindness  of  heart  To  hia  near 
firtends,  he  was  greatly  endeared.  To  bis  clients,  he  gave  excellent 
counsel  He  never  encouraged  litigation,  but  used  his  influence  to  re- 
store peace  when  it  had  been  broken,  and  perpetuate  friendship.  He 
was  much  engaged  in  public  life,  and  represented  his  town  seventeen 
times  in  the  Legislature.  In  1809,  he  received  from  Tale  College  the 
honorary  degree  ^  A.  M.  He  died  in  eariy  manhood,  greatly  lamented, 
March  4, 1813.  The  writer  well  remembera  the  time  when  his  death 
waa  announced  in  Waterbury,  and  the  signs  of  grief  which  followed. 

ELI  TERRY, 

The  fifth  in  descent  from  Samuel  Terry,  who  came  to  some  part  of 
ancient  Springfield,  (Mass.,)  in  1G54,  was  born  in  East  Windsor,  now 
South  Windsor,  April  13,  1TT2.  Samuel  Terry,  Ist,  married  Anne 
Jjobdell  in  16G0,  and  had  a  son,  Samuel,  who  settled  in  Enfield,  in  this 
State.  The  latter,  Samuel,  2d,  mnrried,  in  1682,  Hannah  Morgan,  and 
afterwards  Martha  Credan.  By  the  first  marriage,  he  had  Samuel  and 
Ebeneier ;  and  by  the  second,  Benjamin,  Ephraim,  Jacob,  Jonathan  and 
Isaac.  The  son  Ephraim  (born  1701)  married  Anne  Collins,  and  had 
Samuel,  Ephraim,  Nathaniel,  Elijah,  EJiphaleL    Samuel,  the  third  of 

*  Suted  on  ihc  autborit/  of  the  Ute  Ai»  Bacon  of  New  Haren. 


Digitized  by  Google 


436 


SI8T0BY  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


that  name,  son  of  Ejiliraim,  was  born  in  1725,  inarrie«l  Mary  Kellorr.  an-J 
lia<]  Saruuel,  Alice,  Mary,  As»*|>li,  Illioda,  Levi,  Solomon,  Sybil,  Ezt-kiel. 
Sainnt'I,  4tli,  (born  IToU,)  manie<l  Iluldali  Bnrnham,  aiul  lia«l  Eli,  Sam- 
uel, Silas,  Huldali,  Lucy,  Anne,  Naomi,  Uorace,  Clarissa,  Joseph. 

Mr.  Terry  was  in>truete<l  in  tlie  busines'S  of  clock  nuiking  and  watch 
repairing  by  Daniel  Burna))*  of  East  Windsor  and  a  Mr.  Cheeney  of 
East  Hartford,  lie  interested  himself  in  tlie  arts  and  sciences  which 
have  a  bearinj;  on  the  construction  of  instruments  for  measurins:  time. 
Ho  read  the  standard  works  on  astronomy,  natural  philosojdiy  and 
chemistry,  (then  a  new  science.)  lie  kept  up  his  acquaintance  with 
these  subjects  till  late  in  life,  reading  the  modern  treatises  on  their  first 
appearance.  lie  knew  more  of  them  than  is  usually  known  by  irradu- 
ates  of  colleges.  His  attention,  however,  was  princij)ally  coDtlQed  to 
those  points  which  had  a  ]>raclical  relation  to  his  business. 

Mr.  Terry  came  to  Tlymouth  (then  Watertow  n,  Northburv  pari-h) 
onthelirst  Mon<lay  of  Sept.  1793,  and  set  up  the  businej-s  of  clock  m:ik-  ^ 
ing.  Around  liim,  Timothy  liarnes  of  Litchfield,  South  Farms,  James 
Harrison  of  Waterbury,  and  Clideon  Koberts  <if  Bristol,  were  already 
known  as  clock  makers.  Tiie  price  of  a  wooilen  clock,  with  a  lonix 
dulum,  at  that  time,  w  as  £4,  or  $13.33.  If  it  had  a  brass  dial  and  a  dial 
for  seconds  and  the  moon's  ap:e,  the  price  was  $25.  Brass  clocks  brought 
more — from  XlO  to  i)15,  without  a  case. 

Mr.  Terry  made  dodDS  both  of  wood  and  bnaa  in  tiie  then  ordinary  way,  haT< 
hig  a  hand  engine  for  cutting  the  teeth  or  coga  of  the  wheela  or  pinions,  ud 
using  a  foot  lathe  for  doing  the  turning.    It  Is  probable  he  need  a  lukife,  as  well 

as  many  other  tools  then  in  use,  in  doing  some  part  of  the  work  ;  but  that  the 
different  parts  of  the  clock  irrr**  cut  out  with  fhr  /j^nitfii/e "  is  a  tale  of  uianv 
years'  growth,  having  no  foundation,  and  ought  not  to  be  stereotyp<'d  as  part  of 
thu  history  of  clock  making  in  this  country.  So  limited  was  the  demand  for 
docks  at  tiiis  time,  and  so  inadequate  his  meana  for  making  them,  that  after  fin- 
ishing three  or  four  he  was  obliged  to  go  out  with  them  on  horseback,  and  put 
tliem  up  where  they  had  previously  been  engaged  or  sold.  His  usual  way  was  to 
put  one  forward  of  the  saddle  on  wliicli  lie  r<»do,  one  behind,  and  one  on  each 
.>*ide  ill  lii<  portmanteau.  During  tiiis  day  of  small  things,  Ijowevcr,  tluT>'  was  an 
attempt  at  bonietliing  more.  As  early  as  the  year  17U7,  be  procured  a  patent  tor 
what  he  then  supposed  to  be  an  important  improTement  in  doeln.  This  patent 
was  for  a  new  construction  of  an  equation  dock,  showing  the  dillbrenoe  between 
tlie  mean  and  apparent  time.  The  patent  is  now  in  the  posaesdon  of  the  writer, 
as  executor  of  his  estate.  *  *  *  This  invention  proved  to  be  a  usefid  one  to 
him  in  no  way  sare  the  diadpline  he  acquired  by  it ;  for  the  secret  in  money-mak- 


*  Mr.  Buroap  was  the  maker  of  eome  of  the  beat  American  docka.  8ome  of  tbem  are  OMt 
with  «v«BBo«,  saM  la  ba  Mvcolar  yaars  olil,«f  a:McllcBt  qaalUr.noC  taflerler  to  Iha  bait  tagUih 
docks,  aad  ftr  belter  than  m»aj  tbal  ara  nada  at  this  daj*  with  a  aare  aosUj  czmiar. 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


437 


ing  at  that  time,  as  well  as  at  the  present  day,  was  in  not  manuiaetarhig  so  ez> 
pensive  clocks  as  this  kind  must  neoeaaarUy  hare  heen.  The  greater  demand  was, 

and  Htill      for  a  Icm^  costly  article. 

The  bui«*merts  was  prosecuted  by  him  iii  this  old  way  until  about  the  year  1802 
or  1803,  when,  fiudiug  he  could  sell  his  clocks  without  being  an  itinerant  himself, 
he  made  proviaioo  for  mannfiMtnring  them  more  extensively.  He  erected  a  small 
bnildfaig  on  a  small  stream,  pialf  a  mile  west  of  the  central  Congregational  ehuvh,] 
where  he  had  tlie  benefit  of  water  power  and  additional  machinery  for  doing  some 
portion  of  tlie  work.  At  this  time,  he  m:i«ie  arranf^enmnts  for  nKiiiufacturing 
cloek<^  liy  the  thousiiml.  It  was  repirded  Ity  -oine  at  the  time  as  ho  oxlnxviipint 
an  undertaking  as  to  subject  him  to  conjiidcruble  ridicule.  A  conceited  wag  of 
the  town  oflhred  to  beeome  the  pnrcbaier  of  the  laet  we  of  the  thousand,  thinltmg 
be  wonld  nerer  be  able  to  finidi  that  number.  The  docks,  howerer,  were  soon 
floiflhed. 

We  come  now  to  the  era  when  the  grist  mill,  four  miles  south  of  the  central  vil- 
lapo,  wa"?  converted  into  a  fuetory  for  making  eh>ek?>.    At  thi;*  place,  Mr.  Terry,  in 
l8uT-8,niade  still  iiiort' i-xteinive  arraiifjeiiifiits  tor  tho  Itu-iiicss.   He  had  otitaiiicd 
a  contract  with  the  Kcv.  Edward  Torier,  a  Congregational  niinititer  and  e.\-]iastur 
of  the  Congregational  church  and  sodety  of  Ifaterbury,  and  Levi  Porter,  his  part- 
ner, for  maldng  four  thousand  eloclu.  It  took  a  condderable  part  of  the  first 
year  to  fit  up  the  machinery,  most  of  the  second  year  to  finish  the  first  thousand 
clock.-*,  and  the  third  to  complete  the  remaining  three  thousand.    The  .•success  at- 
tending th\A  enterprise  was  such  as  to  give  a  new  impulse  to  clock  manufacturing  as 
a  money-making  business,  and  was  so  successfully  brought  to  a  clo.-ie  that  the  idea 
of  retiring  from  business  was  entertained,  although  he  was  still  a  young  man.  lie 
accordingly  sold  the  fiictory,  machfaiery  and  other  property  there,  to  Messrs. 
Setii  Thomas  and  Silas  Hoadley,  who  had  been  em|doyed  during  the  three  years 
In  making  these  docks,  and  then  removed  to  his  former  residence,  in  the  central 
part  of  t!ie  town.    The  business  had  at  this  time  been  commenced  in  Winsted  by 
William  Hoadley,  and  had  been  rovivetl  in  Bristol,  Waterbnry  and  elsewhere. 
Asa  Hopkins,  a  man  residing  in  the  i>urish  of  Northficld,  town  of  Litchfield,  had 
erected  a  fiw;tory  on  the  Naugatuck  River.   This  Mr.  Ht^kine  was  a  man  of  con- 
siderable  meohaideal  skill  and  a  aucceasfbl  manulkcturer  of  docks.  He  obtained 
a  patent,  about  the  year  181S  or  1814,  on  a  machine  for  cutting  the  cogs  or  teeth 
of  the  wheels.     Tliis  invention  or  improvement  was  for  the  use  and  introduction 
of  three  arbors  or  mandrels,  !)y  means  of  which  one  row  of  teeth  on  a  number  of 
wheels  w.vs  finished  by  (»ni'  opi-ratioii — i  m n-hine  still  in  use,  although  supei^eded 
at  the  time  by  the  construction  ot  an  engine  by  Mr.  Terry,  with  only  one  mandrel, 
which  wis  used  for  many  years  afkerwarda,  and  has  not  been  abandoned  to  this  day. 
Messrs.  Thomas  and  Hoadley  prosecuted  the  business  as  partners  for  three  years 
or  more,  when  they  dissolved,  Mr.  Hoadley  retaining  the  factory  and  other  jnoper- 
ty,  and  which  he  still  improves.    Heman  Clark,  wlio  had  been  an  apprentice  to 
Mr.  Terry,  built  a  factory  about  the  year  1811,  in  the  place  now  known  as  Ply- 
mouth Hollow,  where  he  pursued  the  busines.s  two  or  more  years.    Mr.  Thomas 
purchased  this  factory,  Dec.  1813,  where  he  again  embarked  in  this  calling,  and 
where  he  has  been  entinentiy  suoeessfhl  in  making  docks,  and  is  at  this  time,  at  an 
adTanced  age  In  life,  extendTely  engaged  in  this  and  other  buskiess.  Mr.  Hoadley 
has  done  less  business,  but  has  been  sucoessful,  and  more  so  than  many  who  subse- 
quently engaged  in  this  occupation. 


Digitized  by  Google 


438 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATERBDST. 


[Mr.  Terry  commrncod  innnufacturin?  on  the  Naunrntuck  in  1813  and  1614,  at 
the  old  place  known      "  Sullitt  a  Mill.-*,  '  but  owned  by  Miles  Morse  at  the  time  of  , 
the  pmehue.] 

In  1814,  tlie  short  or  shelf  dock  wm  devised,  mede  and  introdnced  by  Xr. 
Terry,  who  had  then  removed  to  a  die  on  the  Kaugatuck  RiTer,  where  he  com- 
menced  the  making  of  these  clocks;  Mr.  Thomas  being  then  engaged  in  making 
the  common  or  old-fasliioncd  eloi  ks,  and  also,  to  Koiiie  extent,  the  new  ."^hclt  or 
mantle  clock.    A  i)atont  was  procured  for  this  improvement  in  clocks,  by  Mr. 
Terry  in  1816.   For  a  few  years  from  this  time,  the  old  or  long  cloclu  were  mads 
by  ICr.  Thomss  and  others,  but  gradually  the  sslea  declined,  as  the  demand  hf 
creased  for  the  others.  The  patent  wss  a  sonree  of  no  little  trouble,  strife  and 
litigation.   Patents  were  not  unfrequently  granted  at  that  time,  with  very  iniper>  i 
feet  specifications,  the  inventor'^  not  being  aware  of  the  importanr«>  of  an  exact 
definition  of  their  claims,  iiulepciulent  of  a  general  description.    An  inventor, 
howcvi  r  meritorious,  could  be  easily  deprived  of  his  ju.«t  rights.  A  patentee  needed 
a  mure  thorough  acquaintance  with  the  laws  relating  to  patents  than  with  anything 
pertabing  to  the  art  or  improvement  which  might  be  the  subject  of  his  patent 
So  fiuras  the  writer  has  any  means  of  judging,  the  remark  holds  true  to  tUs  day. 
The  less  meritorious  are  as  likely  to  derive  pecuniary  benefit  from  a  monopoly 
of  this  kind,  an  the  most  deserving  inventor.    That  (lay  of  strife,  however,  has 
gone  by.    The  writer  was  familiar  with  all  the  dilheulties  and  contlicling  claim* 
of  the  contending  parties,  and  knows  full  well  that  the  improvements  msde 
by  Mr.  Terry,  at  this  time  and  subsequently,  marked  dfartinetly  a  new  era  ia 
dock  making,  and  laid  the  foundation  for  a  lucrative  busfaieis  by  which  many 
have  gained  their  thousands,  however  unwilling  they  may  be  to  acknowledge  it. 
Some  of  the  important  improvements  which  should  have  been  secured  by  this 
patent,  are  in  use  to  this  day,  and  cannot  be  dispensed  with  in  the  making 
of  low-priced  clocks,  nor  indeed  any  convenieut  mantle  clock.    The  mode  OT 
method  of  escapement  universally  adopted  at  this  time,  in  all  oonmon  shdf 
docks,  was  Us  plan  or  invention.  The  oonstmetion  of  the  dock  so  as  to  allow 
the  carrying  of  the  wd|^ts  each  ride  of  the  movement  or  wheels  of  the  clock  to  i 
the  top  of  the  case,  bringing  the  pendulum,  crown-wheel  and  verge  in  front,  the 
dial-wheels  between  the  plates,  making  the  pendulum  accessible  by  removing  the 
dial  only,  was  his  arrangement  and  invention.    These  things  eannol  now  be  dis- 
pensed with,  even  in  the  clocks  driven  by  a  spring,  as  the  motive  power,  much 
more  in  those  carried  by  weights.  Millions  of  them  have  been  made  during  the 
Isst  ten  years,  the  pcedse  modd  in  these  particulars  of  the  one  now  in  possemisa 
of  one  of  his  fomily,  and  made  by  him  in  1814.   No  clock,  either  in  this  or  any 
foreign  country,  was  made  previous  to  this  time  with  the  weight.s  carried 
each  side  the  movement  the  whole  length  of  the  case  ;  the  dial-wheels  in>iae  the 
plates,  the  pendulum,  crown-wheel,  verge  or  pallet  together  in  front  of  the  other 
wheels.    This  mode  of  escapement  is  one  of  great  value  still,  and  will  probably 
never  be  abandoned,  so  long  as  low-priced  docks  are  needed.  It  is  true,  Hmt- 
^itfeetof  a  smaUsise  were  imported  many  years  before.  It  is  also  true  that  time- 
pieces wen  made  in  Boston  (WiUard*s  time-pieces)  and  arc  made  to  this  day  with 
one  weight  back  of  the  movement,  and  moving  below  it ;  but  this  and  the  im- 
ported  snuiller  size<l  article,  were  mere /(?«^-;»»V'V.v,  that  is,  were  destitute  of  the 
parts  striking  tlie  liour,  and  had  none  of  the  three  peculiarities  above  mentioned,  ^ 
so  universally  adopted  at  this  time.  i 

I 

I 


Digitized  by  Google 


AFFBIIDIX.  439 

Chaunccy  Jerom«  commenced  his  career  in  clock  making  at  a  later  period, 
paining  his  first  knowledge  of  the  business  under  the  tuition  and  encourafrouif^iit 
of  Mr,  Terry.  Ue  commenced  some  part  of  the  clock  bu^iincss  in  Plymouth,  na 
early  aa  the  year  1821.  He  aftenrarda  remored  to  Briatol,  where  he  embarked 
in  maldng  cloekii  introdncbg  elodr*«aM  of  difltoenl  liset,  md  dodn  tdapCod  to 
tho  now  f6nn  of  eaoes  modo.  At  n  still  bter  period,  and  oooording  to  tlio  reool- 
leotion  of  the  writer,  not  far  from  the  yeor  18S7,  he  introduced  or  did  muoli 
towards  the  introduction  of  the  most  common  form  of  tho  brass  clock  now  in 
vogue.  The  pinion  leave.H  or  cotrs  are  made  of  round  wire.  Thin  is  a  cheap  wiiy 
of  making  pinions,  never  before  practiced,  whatever  may  be  said  as  to  the  quuhty 
and  dantbiUty  of  the  clock  so  made.  The  present  ibnn  of  the  hnie  eottnt'Wheel, 
■0  dlTlded  aa  to  aOow  the  itop^dog  to  drop  between  the  teeth,  and  behig  driven 
by  a  pin  in  the  fly-wheel,  Mr.  Jerome  oUms  aa  liia  ImproTunent,  for  whieh  he 
<^tained  letters  patent 

In  justice,  however,  it  phouM  here  ho  statcil,  tliat  certain  individuals  anterior  to, 
andotlicrs  >oon  after  the  period  Mr.  .Jerome  eoiiiiiicnced  business  in  Hristol,  em- 
barked in  this  occupation,  to  wit :  Mark  Leavenworth,  of  Waterbury ;  Samuel  Terry 
(afterwards  of  Bristol)  and  Eli  Terry,  Jr.,  of  Plymouth ;  Channcey  Boardman,  Its* 
Brewster  and  others  of  Bristol ;  flIHng  the  market  with  a  great  variety  of  elodui 
of  an  exterior  in  every  eoneeivable  form,  until  eome  of  tliose  who  had  immedi- 
ately succeeded  Mr.  Terry  were  ready  to  abandon  the  business,  and  did  so  on 
account  of  the  very  reduced  price  of  clock«,  and  the  interniinal)lc  credit  it  was 
then  customary  to  give.  Tlie  writer  was  one  of  thi^  number,  who  had  matil 
then  very  little  acquaintance  with  any  other  business,  having  been  a  iritness 
to  all  the  improToments  in  docks  and  the  machinery  for  making  the  same,  from 
the  time  the  shelf-dock  was  first  introdnoed,  in  the  year  1814^  to  the  period  hi 
question,  or  the  year  1 836. 

[For  many  year;*  before  hi>^  death,  Mr.  Terry  wa«  not  actively  engaged  in  bn.'ji- 
nes.^.  Still,  he  never  abandoned  the  work-.«hop.  He  occu|ru'd  himself  iti  making 
now  and  then  a]  church  clock,  a  few  watch  regulators,  and  the  like.  The  church 
docks  were  made  in  three  parts,  independent  or  nearly  so,  the  connection  between 
each  being  soeh  as  not  to  be  fayurion^allhcted  by  the  other.  The  time-lteepb^ 
part  was  of  the  ordinary  siie,  and  moTod  by  a  separate  weight.  The  striking 
part  was  moved  by  one  large  weight,  and  the  dial-wheels  by  another,  while  that 
of  tlie  tinx'-keepinp  part  weighed  only  three  or  four  pounds.  The  dial  wheels, 
hand.H  or  pointers,  moved  only  once  in  a  minute.  Church  clocks  constrticted  in 
this  way  were  thus  rendered  as  perfect  time  keepers,  and  were  as  little  affected  by 
wind  or  storm,  as  any  hoose-i^lE  or  waloh»rsgalator  eovld  be.  These  clocks 
were  made  with  compensation  penddwn  rods  of  his  own  derign,  and  the  es> 
capement  after  a  moddof  his  own.  During  these  years  of  comparative  leisure, 
his  time  was  moetly  spent  in  making  this  description  of  clocks,  chiefly  in  reference 
to  accuracy  as  time-keepers,  making  a  variety  of  regulators  with  new  forms  of 
escapements  and  conipeu-^iation  rod;*.  So  year  elapsed  up  to  the  time  of  his  last 
sickness,  without  some  new  design  in  clock-work,  specimens  of  which  are  now 
abundant 

[By  industry  and  prudent  management,  Mr.  Terry  accumulated  a  large  property. 

He  ^Ustributed  to]  his  family,  and  gave  away  to  different  objects  during  the  latter 
part  of  lus  life,  not  less  than  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  retaining  at  the  same 


Digitized  by  Google 


4^ 


HmOBT  OF  WATBBBUKT. 


time  an  amount  of  available  property  Huflicient  to  afford  him  an  annual  income  of 
three  thouaand  dollara.  Thia  he  regarded  aa  sufficient  for  all  his  temporal  wants. 
When  conunendng  biuliifln  in  early  life,  he  nerer  once  indulged  the  thought  of 
•eeumulatlng  one-tenth  the  amoont. 

It  is  unneceaeary  to  add  much  in  regard  to  clock-making,  a.n  it  t»  proi^cciltod  at 
this  tiint".  It  \>>  scarcely  to  'h' t  rcdited  tluit  liiilf  a  niillion  of  i?liclf-cl()cks  are  now 
annually  made  in  (Oiiih-i  t ii  ui,  und  places  nut  tar  distant.  We  have  reason,  how- 
ever,  to  believe  that  thi^  estimate  ia  not  an  exaggeration. 

The  improTementa  in  maehinerj,  and  the  aUn  attuned  in  mann&oturing,  gradu- 
ally rednoed  the  price  of  clocks.  Thua  it  is,  that  a  brass  dock  which  formeriy 
cost  from  |38  to  $80  is  superseded  by  a  more  neat  and  conreident  sheU'Clodt, 
and  afforded  and  sold  at  the  vcrv  low  price  of  $6,  |S  or  $2.  Some  roaj  suppose 
these  clocks  to  be  a  poorer  article  and  not  as  durable.  Thin  may  bo  true  of  many 
ol"  the  clocks  now  manufactured  ;  still  it  is  e<inully  true,  that  a  clock  as  good  and 
durable  can  now  be  made  andaold  at  a  profit,  at  theae  low  pricea.  What  ia  true 
of  the  entire  dock,  is  well  illustrated  by  the  reduction  in  price  of  ssTeral  ol 
the  separateparH  of  thedock,  as  now  made.  Such  parte  as  at  one  time  cost  ten, 
twenty,  or  eren  fifty  cents,  to  each  clock,  are  now  manufactured  for  one-fowth 
the  amount,  and  in  Pome  instances  for  less  than  a  tithe  of  what  they  formerly 
cost,  spring  clocks  are  niad<'  more  cxteii.-ively  than  they  were  a  few  years  since. 
The  apringa  for  one  clock  that  cost,  only  t'ix  or  seven  years  ago,  seventy-five 
cents  or  more,  are  now  made  and  sold  for  eight  and  acven  cents.  It  Ls  pro|)er  to 
add  here,  that  this  description  of  springs  cannot  be  imported,  nor  is  the  secret  of 
manufacturing  them  known  In  foreign  eountriee.* 

Mr.  Terry  had  oot  the  advantageB  of  an  early  edocation,  bat  be  waa 
a  man  of  strong  mind  and  sound  judgment  Though  his  reading  did 
not  take  a  wide  range,  be  understood  his  business  thoroughly.  He 
was  a  plain,  practical  man,  and  esteemed  that  knowledge  of  most  ao> 
count  which  had  a  direct  bearing  on  the  concerns  of  life,  or  which,  in 
other  words,  bore  fruit  His  success  in  the  manufacture  of  docks 
when  the  business  was  in  its  infancy,  and  the  important  mechanical  im- 
provements which  he  introduced,  demonstrate  his  enterprise,  his  sagacity, 
bb  inventive  genius.  Success  as  the  result  of  the  skillful  use  of  means 
and  the  powers  of  nature — ^penisttCni  success — always  proves  ability. 
Judged  by  this  standard,  Mr.  Terry  was  no  ordinary  man.  He  died, 
with  a  character  for  strict  integrity,  late  in  Februaiy,  1842.  His  man- 
ners wers  blunt,  his  ways  peculiar  and  original,  but  he  had  the  confi- 
dence, respect  and  esteem  of  a  laige  circle  of  acquaintances. 


•  Bttrasled  flron  a  Batrlsw  of  Dr.  Ale»t«*i  mitoqr  af  OadE-oakliig,  by  Henrj  Terry,  pofe. 
Ilali«d  Id  Um  Walariiary  Aowrlcao,  Jnae  11^  VBM, 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX 


441 


JOHN  TRUMBULL,  LL  D., 

The  only  son  of  Re7.  Jobn  Trumbull,  wu  born  in  Weslbury,  April  18, 
(old  Btyle,)  1750.*  Being  of  a  delieftte  and  sickly  constitution,  he  was 
the  favorite  of  his  mother.  She  learned  him  to  read,  and  also  tangbt 
him  all  the  songs,  hymns,  and  other  verses  with  which  she  was  ac- 
quainted. He  discovered  an  extraordinary  memory  for  this  last  exerdsct 
and  even  took  to  composing  verMs  himself.  Unknown  to  any  body 
but  his  mother,  he  began  the  study  of  the  Latin  language,  and  soon 
made  great  profiden^.  During  all  this  time,  however,  he  was  a  boy 
and  liked  boyish  sports.  Mr.  Trumbull  smoked  and  raised  his  own 
tobacco.  One  day,  he  set  his  son  to  suckering  the  plant  The  latter 
filled  his  hat  with  the  unsightly  worms  that  infest  the  tobacco^  and 
then  persuaded  his  little  sister  that  he  had  found  a  hen*s  nest  on  the 
scaffold  in  the  bam,  and  could  not  get  down  with  the  eggs.  Parad- 
ing her  below  with  her  apron  spread,  he  let  fidi  the  contents  of  his  hat 
She  fainted.  The  fitther  was  soon  on  the  spot,  and  exclaimed,  'now, 
John,  you  shall  be  whipped.'  *  Father,  father,*  cried  the  excited  ur- 
chin, '  I  deserve  it,  but  I  beg  you  will  not  whip  me  till  Madam  Pritehett 
is  gone.'"!  After  a  course  of  preparatory  study,  under  the  direction  of 
his  father,  the  two  started  on  a  horse  for  Yale  College,  the  boy,  of 
course,  behind.  The  latter,  says  the  Connecticut  Oaaette  of  Sept  24, 
1 757,  ^  passed  a  good  examination,  although  but  little  more  than  seven 
years  of  age ;  but  on  account  of  his  youth  his  fother  does  not  intend 
he  shall  at  present  continue  at  coU^.'*  After  an  interval  of  six  years 
spent  in  roMling  Latin,  Greek  and  English  authors,  and  in  writing 
verses,  he  returned  to  New  Haven,  and  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Arts  in  1767.  He  remained  as  a  resident  graduate  for  three  years 
longer,  devoting  his  time  to  polite  literature,  and  sometimes  to  less 
dignified  occupations.}  In  1771,  he  was  appointed  a  tutor,  which  posi- 
tion he  held  two  years.  It  was  during  his  connection  with  Yale  Col- 
lege that  his  acquaintance  with  Dwight  and  Humphreys  commenced. 

In  1772,  Trumbull  published  the  firrt  part  of  **  The  Progress  of  Dull- 
ness;** and  in  the  following  year,  two  other  parts.  The  object  of  the 


•  Rli  birth  Is  Mt  fteocM  In  Watertaiy. 

t  Dr.  McEwtn*!  IMieoiiift,  pttHUbid  In  tha  pfscMdlop  *t  ttie  Omtettidal  AanlTemiy  in 

IJtchflcUl,  1S62. 

X  "  After  he  had  graduated,  at  the  age  of  ■ixteen,  [scTenteen,]  being  small  of  stature,  he  was 
iometitnca  seen  seated  In  th*  road  «llh  «tbar  eUUrMit  Mnplnf  Of  lMd«lilllt  wlUl  llto  budf.'* 
(Dr.  Helvan'f  DbeourM.) 


Digitized  by  Google 


443 


UI6TOBY  OF  WATEKBCBY. 


poem  WM  the  prevalent  method  of  ednofttioo,  vliick  the  Mithor  em* 
sttted  and  ndieuled. 

Mr.  IVumbaU  was  admitted  to  the  har  in  Connecticut,  in  November, 
1778,  and  immediately  went  to  Boston  and  entered  the  office  of  John 
Adami^  afterwards  Piesident  Adams.  Here  he  studied  hiw,  and  in  bii 
leisure  hours  wrote  essays  on  political  subjects  for  the  gasettes.  He  be- 
came an  ardent  Whig;  published  without  his  name,  his  ^ Elegy  on  the 
Times;"  returned  to  New  Haven,  and  commenced  the  prsctioe  of  his 
profession  in  1774.  Here^  though  fully  occupied  as  a  kwyer,  he  found 
time,  at  the  solicitation  of  certain  members  of  the  Continental  Congrsn 
and  other  Whig  friends,  to  compose  and  publish  the  first  part  of  his 
most  celebrated  work,  **McFingal,''  a  burlesque  epic  poem.  He  de- 
signed it  as  a  satire  on  English  offidabi  and  Tories  in  general,  and  to 
help  prepare  the  way  for  the  independence  of  the  Colonies.  Hit 
busineis  in  New  Haven  was  broken  up  by  the  war,  and  an  invasion  of 
the  town  was  almost  constantly  apprehended.  He,  therefore,  removed 
in  May,  1777,  to  his  native  town,  where  he  remained  about  four  yearSi 
Here,  he  appears  to  hnve  lived  in  the  house  with  his  father,  and  to  have 
continued,  to  some  extent,  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  had 
previously  married  (Nov.  1770)  the  daughter  of  CoL  Leverett  Hubbsnl 
of  New  Haven. 

In  1770,  he  was  chosen  by  the  town  one  of  the  inspecting  com- 
mittee," whose  special  businem  it  was  to  look  after  the  Tories  and 
all  inimical  persons,"  to  discover  their  plots,  and  to  inform  against 
them.  But,  at  length,  his  health  gave  way,  owing  partly  to  the 
fatigue  and  exposure  of  attending  the  courts  at  a  distance*;  and  in 
June,  1781,  with  the  hope  of  improving  his  chances  of  recovery,  he 
removed  to  Hartford.  Soon  after,  he  finished,  and  in  1782,  publish- 
ed, an  edition  of  his  MdFSngal,  some  part  of  it,  tradition  says,  being 
written  in  the  old  IVnmbuU  house  in  Watertown.  He  also  becsme  a 
member  of  a  literary  dub,  to  which  Col.  Humphreys,  Bsriow  and  Dr. 
Lemuel  Hopkins  belonged,  which  met  weekly  for  the  discussion  of  in- 
teresting questions,  polidcal,  philosophical  and  literary.  They  were 
called  the  **  Hartford  wits,"  and  after  the  peace  in  l78;i,  published  a 
series  of  essays,  called  **  American  Antiquities,"  pretending  to  be  ex- 
tracts from  an  ancient  poem  which  had  been  disinterred,  entitled  **The 
Amacbiad."  These  p^rs  first  appeared  in  the  Hartford  and  New 
Haven  gaaetteSp  and  were  widely  drcuhited.  They  were  intended  to 
check  the  progress  of  disorder  and  a  sceptical  plulosf^y,  and  help 
prepare  the  way  for  a  more  stable  government 

In  1780,  Mr.  Trumbull  was  appointed  State's  attorney  for  the  Coun^ 


Digitized  by  Googfe 


f 

APPENDIX. 


of  Hartford,  and  in  1792,  represented  the  town  of  Hartford  in  the  Legis- 
lature, ilia  impaired  health  compelled  him  to  resign  the  office  of 
8taie*a  attorney  in  1795,  and  to  retire  wholly  from  business.  A  severe 
and  dangerous  ooarie  of  sickness  followed,  in  November,  1708.  At 
loTin^th,  however,  he  was  able  to  resume  his  professional  life,  and  in  May, 
1800,  was  elected,  a  second  time,  State  reptesentative.  In  the  follow- 
ing year,  he  was  chosen  a  judge  of  the  Superior  Court  of  the  State,  and 
In  1808,  was  made  a  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Errors.  He  re- 
mained in  office  till  he  was  "  rotated"  out  of  it,  May,  1819,  a  new  con- 
stitution having  been  formed  and  a  new  party  installed  in  power.  In 
1818,  he  reoeivedVrom  Yale  CJoUege  the  degree  of  LL.  D. 

Judge  Trumbull  was  esteemed  a  good  but  not  a  very  learned  or 
profound  judge.  The  dignity  of  his  office  did  not  always  repress 
his  wit  or  his  satirical  propensities.  An  adTOcate  from  the  eastern 
part  of  the  State  made  a  very  boisterous  speech.  After  it  was  over,  in 
some  miscellaneous  conversation,  he  remarked  to  the  court  that  his  case 
was  a  hard  one,  as  the  wind  and  tide  were  against  him.  "  I  don't  know 
how  it  is  with  the  tide,  but  the  mnd^  sir,  seems  to  be  in  your  fiivor,^  re- 
plied the  judge. 

Judge  Trumbull  remained  in  Hartford  till  1825,  when  he  removed  to 
Detroit,  and  resided  for  bis  remaining  life  in  the  fan)iiy  of  his  daughter, 
the  wife  of  Hon.  William  Woodbridge.   He  died  in  May,  1831. 

BENONI  UPSON.  D.  D. 

He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Thomas,  the  grandson  of  Thomas  and  the 
great  grandson  of  Stephen  Upson.  He  was  bom  in  the  part  of  Water- 
bury  since  calle*!  Woloott,  Feb.  14,  1750;  was  graduated  at  Yale  Col- 
lege in  L776,  and  became  the  settled  minister  of  Kensington.  In  1809, 
he  was  made  a  Fellow  of  Yale  College,  became  a  meml  rr  of  the  Pru- 
dential Committee,  and  in  1817  received  the  degree  of  1>.  D.  His 
death  took  place  Nov.  13,  1828. 

Dr.  Upson  was  considered  as  a  prudent,  safe  man,  without  brilliancy. 
He  was  known  for  his  urbanity  and  hospitality. 

STEPHEN  UPSON 

Was  the  only  son  and  child  (except  one  that  died  in  early  infancy)  of 
Gapt  Benjamin  Upson.  He  waa  the  grandson  of  Benjamin,  the  great 
grandson  of  Stephen  and  the  great,  great  grandson  of  Stephen  Upson, 
the  original  planter,  and  was  bom  in  the  "old  Clark  house,'*  June  12, 
1 783.  His  mother,  beforo  man  iaire,  wa-<  Mary  Clark,  the  wi<low  of  Thmnas 
Clark,  (2d,)  and  daughter  of  Daniel  Hine  of  New  Milford.  He  pnisued 


Digitized  by  Google 


444 


msrOBY  OF  WAIEBBU&Y, 


his  classical  studies,  for  a  time,  with  liev.  Mr.  Woodward  of  Woloott 
He  also  studied  with  Thonia-s  Lewis  of  Salem  society,  and  entered  Vale 
College.  While  he  was  a  bludent  there,  the  sea  of  politics  rapfed  vehe- 
mently. Those  in  authority  in  College,  and  ]>articul;»rly  the  I'resident, 
were  strong  Federalists ;  and  it  was  considered  ra>h  for  a  younij  man, 
who  expected  college  honors,  to  avow  republic.m  o])inions.  Ik'fore  the 
close  of  his  junior  year,  young  Upson  embraced  tliese  opinions.  As  he 
had  already  received  many  honors  and  was  a  candidate  for  more,  his 
father  became  alarmed,  and  remonstrated  with  him  Ity  letter,  ti-Uing  him 
how  much  he  was  in  the  power  of  the  President,  and  how  unwi>e  it  w  .as 
to  adopt  adverse  }>ulilical  sentiments.  The  son  defended  his  views  at 
length,  also  by  letter.  One  of  his  epistles  is  before  me.  In  it,  lie  ac- 
knowledges his  perilous  condition,  but  asks — *' Do  vou  wish  me  to  dis- 
semble the  real  sentiments  of  my  heart  for  tlK""  p.iltry  reward  of  a  cullegi- 
nto  honor ttc.  Both  the  correspondents,  probably,  exaggerated  the 
danger  of  holding  the  proscribed  oj)inions. 

Mr.  Upson  graduated  in  1804,  having  for  classmates  John  C.  Cal- 
houn and  other  distiniruished  men.  lie  commenced  the  studv  of  law 
with  Judge  Chauncey  of  New  Daven  ;  but  feeling  the  necessity  of  earn- 
ing something  for  liimself,  he  left  in  March,  1805,  and  went  to  Virginia. 
In  Richmond,  he  met  his  classmate  and  room-mate.  Royal  R.  Ilirmian, 
who  had  taken  charge  of  an  academy  in  that  citv.  The  two  went  to- 
gether  a  few  miles  north,  to  visit  Gen.  Guerrant,  who  had  advertised  for 
a  family  teacher.  Upson  made  an  engagement  for  six  months,  and  en- 
tered upon  his  duties  April  22d.  He  was  to  receive  £50  an<l  board, 
washing,  lodging,  d'C.  When  the  six  months  had  expired,  he  entered  the 
family  of  Nathaniel  Pope,  Esq.,  a  distinguished  lawyer  of  Hanover,  (about 
twentv  miles  from  Richmond,)  as  teacher.  He  engaged  for  one  year, 
and  was  to  receive  X'OU  and  board,  A:c. ;  and  also  legal  instruction  and  the 
use  of  law  books.  Before  the  time  had  expired,  Mr.  Pope  was  killed  in 
a  duel,  and  Upson,  at  the  solicitation  of  his  friend  and  college  mate, 
Addin  Lewis,  then  living  there,  went  to  Georgia,  and  entered  the  law 
oflice  of  the  celebrated  William  11.  Crawford.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  and  became  Mr.  Crawford's  law  jmrtner.  His  connection  secured 
him  immediate  business,  and  he  rose  rapidly  to  the  highest  eminence  in 
his  profession. 

Mr.  Upson  interested  himself  in  the  politics  of  his  adopted  State. 
As  early  as  1808,  ho  wrote  a  series  of  articles  which  were  publi&lied  in 
the  Georgia  Express,  and  rej>ublished  in  the  Savannah  .\dvertiser,  on  the 
/aw.s  just  enacted  in  that  State,  (made  necessary,  it  was  claimed, 
by  the  Embargo  laws  of  Congress,)  which  attracted  much  notice  at  the 


Digitized  by  Google 


▲PFSHDIZ. 


445 


time.  They  were  entitled  "  An  enquiry  ioto  the  constitutionality,  the 
necessity,  the  justice,  and  policy  of  the  Embargo  lately  laid  upon  Law 
in  this  State,"  and  were  signed  *^ Lucius."  They  denoanced,  in  un- 
meaeored  terms,  the  obnoxiuiH  and  the  men  who  concocted  them, 
and  evince  n  good  deal  of  legal  knowledge  and  argumentative  force  for 
80  young  a  man.  In  1813,  alluding  to  some  recent  acts  of  the  Legisla- 
ture of  Georgia,  he  said,  in  a  letter  to  his  father,  that  the  country  ap- 
peared to  be  in  a  rapid  ptpgreasion  from  a  representative  republic  down 
the  grades  of  Democracy  to  a  perfect  state  of  anarchy." 

In  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  Mr.  Upson,  having  accumulated  conside^ 
able  property,  purchased  a  plantation  and  cultivated  wheat,  oats,  corn, 
&c.t  and  was  lntendi^^^  had  lite  been  spared,  to  raise  cotton.  lie  did 
not,  however,  neg1e<  t  his  profession.  Some  attention  he  continued  to 
give  to  politics,  and  became,  as  I  gather  from  his  letters,  a  member  of 
the  Legislature.  When  his  old  friend,  Mr.  Crawford,  came  to  be  tallied 
of,  and  was  finally  nominated,  for  the  presidency,  be  gave  him  his 
hearty  support  To  tliis  course  he  was  promjit-' 1,  not  only  by  friend* 
ship  and  a  sense  of  gratitude,  but  by  a  belief  that  Mr.  C.  was  "eminently 
qnaliticd  for  tlie  office."  Could  he  see  him  elected,  he  declared,  he 
should  "  be  perfectly  satisfied,  without  further  interference  in  political 
matters."  lie  became  famous  for  his  political  harangues,  and  had  the 
entire  confidence  of  the  Democratic  party  ;  and  at  the  critical  period  of 
his  death,  it  is  stateil  that  his  party  had  settled  tlie  point  that  be  should 
be  the  neit  senator  in  Congress,  to  be  diosen  by  the  Legislature  then 
about  to  meet 

Mr,  Upson  married,  Nov.  12,  1813,  Hannah  Cummins,  the  younrrest 
daughter  of  Rev.  Francis  Cummins  of  Georgia.  They  had  five  chil- 
dren, all  of  whom  survived  their  fathe  r,  viz,  Francis  Lewis,  (for  a  time 
A  member  of  the  Law  S<  liool  (.f  N.-w  Haven,)  Mary  Elizabeth,  Sarah 
Eveline,  William  Benjamin  and  Stephen.  All  are  believed  to  be  now 
living,  except  Wm.  Benjannn.  Stephen,  tlie  youngest,  (bom  Nov.  8, 
1823,)  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1841,  and  is  now,  or  was  recently, 
in  New  York.  The  mother,  after  she  became  a  widow,  marric  l  Elijah 
Boardman  of  Connecticut,  (then  of  New  York.)  After  Mr.  Boardman's 
decease,  she  returned  to  the  South,  and  is  still  living. 

Mr.  Upson  resided  at  Lexington,  Ogletliorpe  County,  Ga.,  and  died 
August  3,  1824,  aged  41.  He  had  acquired  more  reputation  as  an  ad- 
vocate, perhaps,  than  any  other  man  in  the  State,  of  bis  age.  Had  he 
lived  ten  years  1on<;er,''  says  one  of  his  admirers,  ^'  he  would  have  been 
the  great  man  of  the  South,"  He  was  a  fine  scholar,  an  arduous  stu- 
dent of  law,  an  elegant  and  persuasive  speaker,  and  a  high  minded. 


Digitized  by  Google 


446  HIBTOBT  or  WATBSBUBT. 

honorable  man.  He  had,  too,  a  large  and  kind  heart.  This  appears  in 
his  letters  to  bis  parents,  and  to  his  sister  who  lived  with  them.  Thej 
are  full  of  anxious  solicitude  and  tender  feeling.  After  the  decease  of 
his  mother,  he,  for  the  first  time  since  he  left  Connecticut  in  1805, 
Tibited  his  father,  then  (July,  1821)  somewhat  infirm  with  «g**, 
and  made  the  most  liberal  provision  for  his  permanent  comfort- 
lie  bad  previously  made  bis  friends  at  home,  to  a  large  extent,  the 
sharers  of  bis  prosperity.  While  he  was  an  affectionate  son  and  broth- 
er, he  won  the  esteem  and  the  confidence  of  all  who  knew  bim.  His 
form  was  good,  bis  person  somewliat  tall  and  slender,  bis  dress  and 
mode  of  living  pUio,  and  his  manners  gentlemanly  and  agreeable. 

Capt.  JOHN  W  ELTON. 

Ue  was  the  eldest  son  of  Richard  Welton,  and  was  bom  Jan.  1, 1727. 
He  was  a  homer  of  Bucksbill,  and  had  only  the  ordinary  advantages  of  an 
English  edaeation ;  still  he  possessed  a  strong  mind  «id  exerted  a  wide 
infloenoe.  From  an  early  period,  he  was  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Episcopal  society  and  held  the  offioe  of  senior  warden.  In  the  begin* 
ing  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  he  espoused  the  patriotic  cause,  became  a 
moderate  Whig,  and  was  confided  in  by  the  friends  of  colonial  inde- 
pendence. In  1784,  he  was  first  appointed  a  justice  of  the  peace.  He 
was  a  osefnl  and  much  respected  member  of  the  Lsgislatnre  fifteen  ses- 
sions, banning  in  1764.  It  is  stated  that  when  he  arose  to  address 
the  house,  few  men  were  listened  to  with  more  deference. 

Esquire  John  Welton,  as  he  was  called,  died  Jan.  22, 1816. 

Bit.  benjamin  WOOSTER 

Was  the  third  son  and  fourth  child  of  Wait  and  Phebe  (Warner) 
Woosier,  and  was  bom  in  Waterbnry,  Oct  29, 1762,  He  was  a  sol- 
dier of  the  Rerolntion,  and  was  taxed  as  a  minor  in  the  first  society  in 
1762.  Subsequently,  he  entered  Yale  College  and  graduated  in  1790, 
His  theological  studies  were  pursued  under  the  Ker.  Dr.  Edwarda  of 
New  Haven.  After  being  licensed  to  preach,  he  occupied  himself  for 
a  time  in  missionary  labor;  but  in  1797,  was  ordained  pastor  of  the 
church  in  Cornwall,  Yt.  He  gave  up  his  charge  in  1802,  and  spent 
three  years  in  the  service  of  the  Berkshire  Misrionaiy  Society.  On  the 
24th  day  of  July,  1806,  he  was  installed  in  Fairfield,  Yt,  wheie  he 
labored  assiduously  till  bodily  infirmity,  in  1888,  compelled  him  to  de- 
sist. During  this  time,  he  was  once  a  representative  to  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  State,  and  twice  a  member  of  the  Septennial  Conven- 
tion convened  by  the  Board  of  Censors.**  He  died,  says  Dr.  Sprague*s 
Annuals,"  at  St.  Albans,  Yt,  in  February,  1848. 


Digitized  by  Google 


JPFERinZ. 


447 


t^B^I  here,  contrary  to  my  oriErinal  purpose,  introduce  a  few  nanu-s  of  persons 
etili  living.  The  vt  ry  brief  sketch  of  Mr.  Israel  Holmes  haa  been  furui^ihed  bjr  & 
friend  of  that  gcutleumu. 

AMOS  BR0N80N  ALCOTT, 

Son  of  Joseph  C.  Alcott,  was  born  in  Wulcolt,  Nov.  29,  1799.  IIo  is 
a  woU  known  literary  man,  lecturer  and  "conversational  teacher.** 
nis  name  i-s  i-kniifud  with  what  is  termed  the  transcendental  philoso- 
phy in  MassachusetLs.  lie  is  the  friend  of  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson,  and 
has  written  some  books  on  liiiman  culture  and  his  favorite  philosophy. 
Boston  has  hitherto  been  his  home. 

Mr.  Alcott  was  married,  May  23, 1830,  to  Abic^ail,  youngest  daughter 
of  Col.  Joseph  May  of  Boston.  Samuel  S<'wall,  chief  justice  of  tlie  Mas- 
sacliusctts  Colony  f.ora  1718  to  1728,  was  the  ancestor  of  bis  wife*8 
mother,  Dorothy  Sewall. 

WILLIAM  A.  ALCOTT,  M.  D., 

Son  of  Obed  Alcott,  was  born  in  Wo'cott,  Oct.  6,  1798.  In  boyhood, 
he  attended  the  common  district  schools,  and  finally,  a  private  school 
for  two  terms.  Afterwards,  he  taught  a  district  school  for  several 
years.  Finally,  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine,  and  after  three 
years,  or  in  1826,  received  at  New  Haven  a  license  to  practice.  lie 
then  returned  to  teaching,  but  his  health  breaking  down,  he  became  a 
practitioner  of  medicine  in  Wolcott  till  1829.  Subsequently,  he  connect- 
ed himself  with  Mr.  Woodbridge,  the  geoprapher,  removed  to  Boston,  and 
devoted  his  time  to  the  cause  of  education  and  literary  pursuits.  In 
1832  he  went  to  Boston  and  soon  became  the  editor  of  the  Annals  of 
Education,"  <fec. 

Dr.  Alcott  is  the  author  of  many  books  on  education,  temperance, 
moral  reform,  domestic  medicine,  «fec  Among  these  are  the  Young 
Man^s  Guide,  House  I  Live  in,  The  Young  Mother,  The  Young  Wife, 
The  Young  Uusband,  Young  Woman's  Guide,  The  Young  House- 
keeper and  Mother's  Medical  Guide.  lie  has  also  written  largely  for 
the  periodicals,  and  has  edited  several  beside  the  Annals — Parley's  Mag- 
azine, Library  of  Health,  (to.  He  lias  also  lectured  on  his  favorite  topics 
in  several  of  the  States.  Notwithstanding  his  severe  labors,  he  is,  in  his 
own  language,  "  a  w  ater-drinker  and  a  bread  and  fruit-eater,  eschewing 
all  seasonings  and  mixed  dishes,  and  rejecting  all  medicines."  He 
is  now,  he  continues,  "in  his  thirty-second  year  of  respite  from  the 
grave  by  consumption,  of  which  ho  has  always  had  a  dread,  with  which 
be  is  still  threatened,  and  to  which  some  day  he  will  fall  a  victim.** 


Digitized  by  Google 


448 


HIBTOBY  OF  WAIEKBOBT. 


Dka.  AARON  BENEDICT, 

Theaon  of  Aaron  and  Esther  (TMwbridge)  Benedicti  wai  born  in  that 
part  of  Waterbury  which  ia  now  Middlebnry,  Aug.  0»  1785,  At  an  earlj 
ago  he  became  a  member  of  Yale  OoU^  bat  after  eighteen  months 
was  obliged  to  leave  on  account  of  ill  health.  He  removed  to  War 
terbuiy  (firat  society)  in  1804,  and  became  a  partner  of  Joseph  Barton 
in  mercantile  busineis,  which  they  carried  on,  without  much  profit,  till 
1812.  He  then  conmienced  the  manufacture  of  bone  and  ivory  bat- 
tons  ;  but  this  business,  after  several  years*  trial,  not  provingsatlsfactory, 
he  became  connected  in  1823,  with  Bennet  Bronson  of  Waterbnry,  and 
Nathan  Smith,  William  Bristol  and  David  C.  DeForest  of  New 
Haven,  in  the  gilt  button  business,  under  the  partnership  name  of  A. 
Benedict.**  He  was  the  general  partner  and  had  the  ezdusive  manage- 
ment of  the  concern.  The  prosperity  of  Waterbury,  at  a  manufactur- 
ing town,  may  be  said  to  date  from  the  formation  of  this  company ; 
though  the  gilt  button  business  had  been  established,  and  carried  on  to  a 
limited  extent  for  many  years.  The  capital  waa  $6,500.  Many  dis- 
couragements, at  first,  embarrassed  the  enterprise;  but^ perseverance 
finally  secured  success.  Skillful  artisans  were  obtained  from  England. 
It  was  the  first  aim  to  make  a  good  article,  and  the  second,  to  obtain 
good  prices.  Buttons,  gilded  with  something  better  than  dandelion 
water,"  were  first  sent  to  market  in  the  spring  of  1824.  Goods  of  the 
value  of  about  $5,000  were  made  during  this  year.  Soon  after  the  for- 
mation of  the  company,  Benjamin  DeForest  of  Watertown  and  Alfred 
Piatt  of  Waterbury  became  members  by  purchase.  The  partnership 
was  renewed  in  1827,  and  the  capital  increased  to  $13,000. 

The  second  partnership  expired  Feb.  2d,  1820,  when  a  new  one  was 
formed  under  the  name  of  **  Benedict  A  Coe,^  with  a  capital  of  $20«000. 
Mr.  Benedict's  partners  were  Israel  Coe,  Bennet  Bronson,  Benjamin  De- 
Forest,  Alfred  Piatt  and  James  Croft.  In  addition  to  their  old  buatness, 
they  dealt  in  merchandise,  and  rolled  brass  for  market  They  hsd  pre- 
viously, as  early  as  1825,  made  brass  for  their  own  use  and  sold  some, 
but  this  was  not  then  considered  an  important  branch  of  their  business. 
Thenceforth  it  became  so. 

On  the  10th  day  of  February,  1834,  the  copartnership  of  Benediot 
k  Coe  expired,  and  a  new  one,  with  a  capital  of  $40,000,  was  enters 
ed  inus  with  the  name  of  Benedict  A  Bumham.  The  partners  were 
Aaron  Benedict,  Gordon  W.  Bumham,  Bennet  Bronson,  Alfred  Piatt, 
Henry  Bronson,  Samuel  S.  DeForest  and  John  DeForest  The  two 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


449 


first  were  Uie  generiil  partners  and  agcnU  of  the  company.  Mr.  Bene, 
diet  continued  to  hare  charge  of  the  business  at  home,  which  was  pros- 
ecuted with  great  energy  and  suooess  fur  the  next  tliree  years.  By  his 
prudence  and  skill,  the  company  was  carried  through  the  financial 
crisis  of  1 837,  without  dishonor  or  serious  loss.  The  copartnersLi])  was 
renewed  March  16,  1838,  with  a  capital  of  $71,000,  and  a^ain,  March 
11,  1840,  with  a  capital  of  $100,000.  Previous  to  this  last  date,  or  in 
1830,  the  second  financi^il  crisis  came  on,  which  was  followed  by  a  pro- 
longed depression  in  business.  The  company  made  nothing  for  three 
years. 

On  the  14th  day  of  Jan.  1843,  the  company  of  Benedict  &  Bum- 
ham  gave  place  to  the  **  Benedict  &  Burnham  Manufacturing  Com« 
pany,"  a  joint  stock  corporation,  the  first  formed  in  the  town,  under 
which  name  the  business  is  still  carried  on.  The  capital  was  $100,000. 
Mr.  Benedict  was  chosen  president,  which  office  he  has  held  ever 
sinoe.  In  1848,  the  capital  was  augmented  to  $200,000,  and  in  1856, 
to  $400,000.  The  business  has  been  regularly  and  constantly  increaa- 
ing,  (with  slight  exceptions,)  from  1824  to  the  present  time.  The  mak- 
ing of  German  silver  became  an  important  branch  of  it,  at  an  early 
period.  So  did  the  drawing  of  brass  and  copper  wire.  The  company 
now  manufiustures  almost  exclusively,  sheet  brass,  German  silver,  brass 
and  copper  wire,  and  brass  and  copper  tubing.  A  business  which  was 
started  thirty-two  years  ago,  on  a  most  diminutive  scale,  has  now  be- 
come the  most  important  in  the  place,  employing  six  first  class  mills 
and  over  $1,500,000  capital. 

The  Benedict  ^  Burnham  Manu&cturing  Company  has  from  time 
to  time  become  tlie  parent  of  several  other  joint  stock  companies. 
Whenever  a  branch  of  its  business  could  be  better  carried  on  by  itself, 
the  property  necessary  for  its  prosecution  was  detached,  and  distributed 
as  a  dividend  to  its  stockholders,  in  the  form  of  stock  in  a  new  com> 
pany.  Thu^  originated,  in  1846,  the  American  Pin  Company,  with 
$50,000  capital,*  (afterwards  increased  to  $100,000;)  in  1849,  the 
Waterbury  Button  Company,  with  a  capital  of  $30,000,  (afterwards  in- 
creased to  $45,000;)  in  1852,  the  Benedict  &  Suo?iU  Company,!  (a 
mercantile  corp  oration,)  with  a  capital  of  $50,000,  (now,  60,000  ;)  and 
in  1857,  the  Waterbury  Clock  Company,  with  $60,000  capital. 

Mr.  Benedict  has  twice  represented  the  town  in  the  General  Assembly, 
and  in  the  spring  of  the  present  year,  (1857,)  was  a  candidate  for  State 


*  The  partnera  In  the  firm  of  Broirn  4  Ktton  took  OM  half  Um  cteek  Id  ttUi  CCmpMiy.  TlMgr 
had  preTloaal/  been  Interested  io  the  hoslneas. 
t  Tba  stoeUtoMtn  Sr  tM  Sesvffl  MaDuSMtarlBf  Oft.  took  OM  Udrd    Iht  stoA 

29 


Digitized  by  Google 


450 


HinOST  OF  WATSHBUBY. 


senator;  bat,  as  a  common  thing,  be  has  peremptorily  declined  political 
office.  For  many  years,  he  has  been  a  deacon  of  the  1st  Con^j^gational 
church  of  Waterbury#  He  is  widely  known  for  integrity,  soundness  of 
judgment  and  strong  common  sene;  for  lus  matured  opinions  and  wise, 
oonsiderate  actioD|  under  all  citeamstances.  Tbouirh  now  over  seventy 
jreaisof  age,he  h  still  vigorous,  and  attends  to  his  business  duties  with 
as  much  regularity  as  he  did  thirty  years  ago. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  MEMOIR  OF  ALVAN  BRONSON ; 

PBBPARBD  BT  BnaXLT, 

I  am  the  second  son  of  Josiah  and  TaLitha  (Tuttle)  Bronson,  and  u 
born  in  AVaterbury,  (since  Middlebury,)  May  19,  1783,  As  soon  as  I 
could  be  made  useful,  I  worked  on  the  farm  in  the  summer,  attend in^^  a 
district  school  in  the  winter.  When  thirteen  years  old,  I  spent  twelve 
months  in  the  family  of  Capt,  Isaac  Bronson,  being  engaged  as  slioj)  or 
errand  boy  in  a  small  country  store.  About  this  time,  I  became  inter- 
ested in  a  small  juvenile  library,  and  contracted  a  fondness  for  >K>oks.  1 
was  kindly  treated  by  Capt.  Bronson,  who  by  the  way,  though  in  hum- 
ble life,  was  no  ordinary  man.  He  had  a  stroni^  mitxl,  well  cultivated 
for  his  station;  was  benevolent,  ardent,  elo.juent.  In  politics,  he  was  a 
warm  Federalist.  I  recollect  hearing  him  say,  with  hands  clench.-d, 
his  massive,  bony  figure  drawn  up  to  its  full  height,  his  musical,  bell- 
toned  voice  ])itched  to  its  highest  key,  "  I  solemnly  declare  I  %\ouId 
rather  be  taxed  a  yoke  of  fat  oxen  ever\'  year  than  see  the  nation  di»- 
graced  by  this  paltry  gun-boat  system."  Hammond,  in  his  Political 
History  of  New  York,  has  alluded  to  my  Federal  propensities.  I'er- 
haps  they  may  be  traced  partly  to  this  good  old  man. 

For  the  greatest  part  of  the  next  two  or  three  years,  I  was  emj-loyeii 
as  youngest  clerk  in  the  store  of  Mr.  Terrell,  of  Salem.  Afterwards, 
for  one  quarter,  T  attended  the  select  school  of  Esquire  Morris,  of 
Litchfield,  South  Farms,  and  completed  my  education  by  spending  a 
year  with  our  clergyman,  the  Rev.  Ira  Hart.  Thus  qualified,  and  be- 
fore I  was  seventeen,  I  taught  a  district  school  in  Woodbridge  three 
months. 

About  this  time,  I  accepted  a  clerkship  in  the  store  of  Reuben  Kice, 
of  New  Haven,  who  had  been  the  liead  clerk  of  Tyrrel,  where  I  re- 
mained about  eighteen  months.  At  the  end  of  this  period,  I  and  Jo- 
seph N.  Clark  formed  a  connection  with  Isaac  &  Kneeland  Townsend, 
merchant  tailors,  and  Gilbert  dc  Townsend,  West  India  shippers,  and 


Digitized  by  Googlle 


APPEKDIX.  461 

went  into  business  on  Long  Whart  Clark  managed  the  sailors*  cloth- 
ing department,  while  I  was  (be  merchant  The  other  partners  fur- 
nished the  capital.  The  business  was  extensive,  arduous  and  prosper- 
ooa ;  bnt  after  three  or  four  yean,  Mr.  Clark  and  I  declined  to  go  on 
with  it,  on  the  original  footing. 

In  conneetioa  with  Mr.  Clark  and  our  former  patrons,  Gilbert 
Townaend,  I  then  undertook  an  adventure  for  the  winter.  I  proceeded 
to  Charleston,  S.  C,  with  Gilbert  dr  Townsend's  schooner,  the  Ante- 
lope, chartered  and  loaded  on  joint  account,  with  northern  producta. 
We  encountered  a  three  days*  gale,  and  were  wrecked  on  Portsmouth 
Beach,  between  capes  Fear  and  Hatteras.  Having  paid  salvage  to  the 
wreckers  and  observed  all  the  forms  due  to  the  nnderwritere,  I  purohased 
at  the  sale  of  the  wreck,  and  that  of  three  others  resulting  from  the  same 
gale,  a  large  amount  of  materials,  obtMned  a  master  builder,  and  con- 
structed a  brig  and  schooner  suited  to  the  West  India  trade.  The  en- 
terprise consumed  two  years.  The  schooner  made  several  voyages. 
The  brig  was  completed  and  loaded  just  in  season  to  be  overtaken  by 
Mr.  Jefferson's  embargo,  which  changed  her  destination  from  a  West 
India  to  a  Connecticut  voyage.  The  adventure  was  then  dosed.  Mr. 
Clark  and  myself  took  the  schooner,  and  Gilbert    Townsend  the  brig. 

After  the  embargo  was  repealed,  I  made  a  voyage  to  the  West  Indies, 
as  supercargo  of  the  brig  Julius  Caesar.  On  my  return,  I  brought 
home  the  first  intelligence  of  the  capture  by  the  French  of  my  schooner 
(Philander)  under  Bonaparte's  Berlin  and  Milan  decrees,  for  having 
been  bound  to  a  British  port.  She  was  condemned,  sold  and  bought  in 
by  the  captain ;  and  afterwards  captured,  under  the  British  orders  in 
council,  for  hatfinff  been  lo  a  Frmck  port,  and  again  condemned  I 

Jacob  Townsend,  of  the  house  of  Gilbert  A  Townsend,  now  proposed 
to  me  to  unite  with  him  in  the  coasting  trade  of  the  lakes.  I  assented, 
and  with  Shelden  Thompson,  shipmaster,  and  our  ship-carpenters,  pro- 
ceeded to  Oswego  River.  At  the  (alls,  we  cut  the  frame  for  a  schooner 
of  one  hundred  and  odd  tons,  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  the 
thriving  vilhige  of  Fulton.  I  then  visited,  for  the  first  time,  the  hamlet 
of  Oswego^  my  ftilure  home,  which  has  swelled  from  800  to  a  city  of 
16,000  inhabitants.  Thompson  proceeded  to  Lake  Erie  to  provide  mate- 
rials for  another  vessel  on  the  Niagara  Biver. 

With  our  joint  ciqpital  of  $14,000,  we  built  two  vessels,  esUblished  a 
store  at  Oswego  and  another  at  Lewisfton,  and  in  connexion  with  Gene- 
ral and  Judge  Porter  and  Major  Barton,  (who  held  from  the  State  a 
lease  of  the  Niagara  portage,)  we  conducted  a  mijor  part  of  the  com- 
merce of  the  lakes  for  the  two  years  preceding  the  war  with  Great  Brit* 
ain.  In  1812,  we  found  we  had  escaped  Bonaparte's  decrees  and  the 


Digitized  by  Google 


452 


BI8T0BY  OF  WATB8BUBT. 


British  orders  in  council,  to  be  involved  in  a  vindictive  and  desolating 
war.   Our  busiaeaa  was  brokea  up ;  our  homes  were  invaded,  plundered 

and  burned. 

I  was  appointed  military  and  naval  store  keeper  at  Oswego.  NN'hen 
the  port  was  threatened  in  1814,  the  entire  dispo-iiion  of  the  public 
stores  wa,s  committed  to  my  discretion  ;  and  after  the  capture,  I  recei\'ed 
the  thanks  of  the  (juarter-ma-ster's  department  for  the  skill  and  surceas 
with  which  I  had  dischnrged  the  trust.    I  was  myself  captured  w  ith  the 
remnant  of  stores  on  hand,  nor  was  the  manner  over-gracious.  Cam- 
modore  Sir  James  Yeo  aj-ked  me  to  furnish  pilots  to  conduct  his  boats 
out  of  the  harbor  to  the  fleet  when  laden  with  salt  and  military  Mores. 
I  stated  that  our  iidiabilants  had  left  tlie  village  and  I  had  no  one  un- 
der my  command,    lie  replied  with  an  oath,  "Then  go  yourself,  and 
if  you  get  the  boats  ai;round,  I'll  shoot  you,"  putting  hh  hand  on 
mv  shoulder  and  conducting  me  to  a  boat.    Col.  Harvey,  on  ilic  bank 
above,  called  out  to  Sir  James,  "  that  is  the  public-store  keej»er,  and 
may  be  useful  to  us,"  w  hen  he  called  me  back.    Subse«:|uently,  he  said  to 
me,  "  You  are  our  prisoner.    I  shall  expect  you  to  inform  me  what 
public  stores  are  on  hand,  what  have  been  secreted  in  the  nei^'hlK>rhood, 
if  any,  and  what  have  been  deposited  in  the  rear  of  the  port.''    I  re- 
plied I  could  not  give  the  information,  my  books  and  papers  havinsr 
been  sent  away  for  safety  ;  nor  would  it  be  proper,  if  I  could.    He  re- 
joined that  he  had  nothing  to  say  about  my  duty  ;  that  if  I  gave  him 
this  information  correctly,  ho  sliould  allow  me  to  remain;  if  not,  he 
should  send  me  to  Quebec.    He  gave  me  leave  to  take  my  trunk,  and 
ordered  me  on  board  his  flag-ship,  the  rriiu  e  liegent,  a  tine  frigate.  I 
found  my  wardrobe  and  books  plundered  to  the  lastarticle.  After  seeur- 
ing  their  plunder,  and  burning  the  barracks,  the  officers  came  on  board, 
about  midnight,  when  Lt.  General  Drummond  enquired  for  the  store 
keeper.    When  pointed  out  to  him,  he  lavished  upon  me  a  prot'u>iun  of 
vulgar  epithets,  and  concluded  by  saying,  "  d — n  you,  you  ought  to  be 
strung  up  to  the  yard  arm.    You  said  there  were  no  stores  secreted, 
and  we  found  suuk  in  the  river,  at  your  wharf,  three  or  four  cannon  and 
as  many  ships'  anchors."    Col.  Harvey  was  evidently  mortified  by  the 
rudeness  and  vulgarity  of  his  superiors,  and  in  a  walk  on  the  quarter- 
deck next  day,  apologized  for  them  by  saying  tlieir  loss  was  severe,  and 
among  the  killed  and  wounded  were  some  of  their  best  officers.  CoL 
Harvey  was  a  gentkllian  in  manners,  and  a  brilliant  officer. 

In  1815, 1  married  the  youngest  daughter  of  Capt  Edward  O'Gon- 
aer,  a  RevolatioDarj  soldier. 

AiUr  the  war,  our  bminen  was  returned  and  extended  by  a  branch  at 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


453 


Blade  Rock,  conducted  on  the  pnrt  of  Towoaend,  Bronsoti  &  Co.,  by 
ThompaoD,  And  on  the  put  of  Porter,  Barton  A  Co^  by  Nathaniel  Sill, 
under  the  firm  of  Sill,  Thompeon  4  Co.  Our  connexion  was  dosed  in 
1822. 

In  1822  my  neighbors  procnred  my  nomination  to  the  State  Senate, 
without  consulting  or  even  confiding  to  roe  the  secret  Being  duly 
elected  under  the  new  constitution,  I  drew  two  years,  during  which 
time  the  principle  service  rendered  my  constituents  was  to  procure  a 
law  authorizing  the  construction  of  the  Oswego  Canal ;  a  small  appropri- 
ation for  the  improvement  of  the  Oswego  River  having  been  extorted 
from  the  Legislature  beforet  and  this  partly  through  my  agency. 

Identified  early  with  the  Oswego  Canal,  I  became  its  advocate  and  de- 
fender through  a  stormy  conflict  of  twenty-five  years.  During  all  this 
period,  it  had  to  meet  and  counteract  the  hostility  of  Western  New  York, 
headed  by  the  jealous  and  sharp  rival  interest  of  Buffalo.  So  much 
was  I  connected  with  this  work  in  public  estimation,  that  when  I  repaired 
to  Albany  with  a  remonstrance  against  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Uickox 
of  Buffiilo^  to  repeal  the  Oswego  Gmal  law,  while  little  progress  had  yet 
been  made,  in  its  construction,  meeting  Aaron  Burr  in  the  ball 
of  the  capitol,  he  saluted  me  by  saying,  Ah  I  you  are  here  to  de- 
fend your  canal,**  and  added,  I  am  with  you  ;**  I  said  I  believed  all  sensi- 
ble men  were  with  us;  to  which  he  replied  eharaeteiistically,  '*Ah,  my 
young  friend,  if  that's,  all,  yon  have  a  vast  majori^  against  yon.**  If 
this  protracted  warfkre  did  not  improve  my  temper,  it  diarpened 
my  pen,  as  I  was  charged  with  all  the  memorials,  remonstrances,  and 
newspaper  battles  incident  to  the  conflict  for  these  twenty-five  years,  and 
down  to  the  last  half  doien  years,  when  I  resigned  in  fiivor  of  younger 
heads  and  stronger  hands. 

The  other  events  which  signalized  my  two  years*  serrice  were  a  report 
I  wrote  for  the  chairman  of  the  committee  on  manufactures,  and  my 
connexion  with  the  famous  seventeen  who  defeated  the  Electoral  law. 
Oen.  McCInre  of  Steuben  introduced  the  annual  resolutions  call- 
ing on  Congress  to  encourage  and  protect  manufactures.  They  con- 
tained the  usual  fallacies  and  appeals  to  public  prejudice,  alledging  that 
importations  impoverished  the  people,  that  England  monopolised  our 
public  securities,  loaded  us  with  debt,  robbed  us  of  our  specie, 
and  degraded  us  to  a  tributary,  Ac  Mallory,  chairman  of  the  commit- 
tee in  the  Senate,  to  whom  these  resolutions  were  referred,  (which  had 
passed  the  Assembly  almost  by  acdamatioa,)  entertained  doubts  as  to  tlie 
sonndnesss  of  this  popular  theory,  and  proposed  to  me  to  try  my  hand 
at  a  report,  which,  if  approved,  he  would  offer  to  his  committee.  I  pre- 


Digitized  by  Google 


i54 


HIBTOiBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


pared  the  r»''port  with  caro.  He  approved  it,  and  one  of  his  comraittee, 
Wooster  of  Jlerkimer,  applauded  the  work,  but  said  popular  prejudice 
would  not  tolerate  such  doctrines,  which  were  out  and  out  free  trade. 
His  committee,  therefore,  reported  the  resolutions  from  the  Assembly, 
and  Mallory  offered  his  substitute  and  defended  it  ably,  with  such  ai<ias 
I  could  afford  liini.  It  received  one  vote,  that  of  Wheeler  of  Wbiie 
Hall,  a  merchant,  in  addition  to  those  of  Mallory  and  mys  clf.  Mallory 
frankly  disclaimed  the  autliorsbip.  It  was  ])ublished  and  apjdauded  by 
the  city  press.  Indeed,  it  was  well  received  by  some  of  the  senator^ 
and  anionix  them  Gen.  Root,  our  president. 

In  18J9,  I  was  returned  to  the  Senate  ai^ain;  took  my  s^l  in 
1830,  and  was  placed  at  the  head  of  the  finance  committee.  Hie  ob- 
ject which  occupied  the  largest  share  of  my  time,  was  the  usiury  ques-  | 
tion.  John  C.  Spencer  introduce*!  a  bill  to  enforce  the  usury  laws  by 
new  and  additional  penalties.  This  bill  passed  the  Assembly,  and 
referred  by  the  Senate  to  ray  comraittee.  It  had  some  able  opy^o- 
nents  in  the  Senate,  foremost  araong  whom  were  Maynard  of  Utica  and 
Tracey  of  Buffalo.  There  were  others  opposed  in  principle  to  the  bill, 
but  unwilling  to  act,  believing  the  raeasure  popular.  The  policy  adopt- 
ed therefore  was  to  procrastinate,  and  enlist  friends  by  arguments  and 
reports.  I  therefore  had  occasion  to  report  more  or  less  elabonUeij 
against  the  usury  penalties  during  each  of  these  four  winters. 

In  my  second  winter  the  Senate  by  resolution  instructed  my  com* 
raittce  to  report  to  tlie  next  Legislature  the  historj'  of  the  usury  lawsand 
their  penalties  as  mo<lified  from  time  to  time.  Aided  by  Senator  May- 
nard and  Cashier  A.  B.  Johnson  of  Utica,  circulars  were  addressed  to 
prominent  men  throughout  the  Union,  which  brought  a  valuable  anjonnt 
of  information,  togetlier  with  the  opinions  of  the  writers.  All  the  parties 
addres80(l,  with  a  single  exception,  favored  repeal  or  amelioration. 
Among  them  were  John  Quincey  Adams,  Gen.  Cass,  Gov.  Burnett  of 
Ohio,  Saml.  A.  Foot  of  Connecticut,  Professor  McVickar  of  New  York 
and  Saml.  Smith  of  Baltimore  The  latter,  an  old  merchant  and  Uni* 
ted  States  senator,  was  the  exception. 

In  my  third  senatorial  year,  the  important  question  was  agitat-d 
whether  the  general  fund  should  be  preserved  and  fortified  by  a  sma^' 
tax ;  or  exhausted  and  the  government  be  thrown  upon  tlie  canal  reve- 
tines  for  support  thereafter.  Hammond  says,  (Political  History  of  N^* 
York,  Vol.  2,  p.  411,)  Mr.  Bronson,  in  accordance  with  the  views  of 
the  governor  and  comptroller,  on  the  28th  February,  1832,  brought  io 
a  bill  to  levy  a  tax  of  one  mill  on  the  dollar  for  three  yean."  Ha 
adds,  "For  myself  I  think  the  general  fund  ought  to  have  been  repIcB* 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


455 


ished  by  a  temporary  tax,  [<&c.]  This  immeiisely  important  question 
was  eliiborately  debated,  and  with  great  ability,  in  the  Senate.  Bcards- 
ley»  Maynard,  Seward  and  others  oppoeed,  and  Bronson  and  Traoey 
supported  the  bill.  On  the  final  vote  a  very  large  majority  were  opposed 
to  the  tax,  five  members  only,  Bronson,  Fisk,  Fuller,  Halsey  and  Trac^ 
▼Otiog  in  favor." 

Near  the  close  of  my  last  seaiion,  a  bill  came  from  the  Assembly  re- 
ducing the  l^gal  rate  of  interest  to  6  per  cent,  and  bank  discount  to  5^ 
per  cent,  guarding  these  rates  by  the  existing  usury  penalties.  Against 
this  bill,  were  presented  remonstrances  from  New  York,  Hudson,  Alba- 
ny, and  the  County  cf  St.  Lawrence.  All  were  referred  to  the  finance 
oommittee,  on  which  I  made  an  elaborate  report,  '*  Senate  document 
No.  106,  12th  April,  1888."  Tiiis  report  embraced  the  subjects  of 
CAPtrAL,  CuRRENcr,  Banking  and  Iktbrest.  It  received,  from  the 
otty  press  particularly,  liberal  commendation ;  but  was  pronounced  by 
Bome  rather  ambitious.  I  learned  that  Mr.  Gallatin  said  it  was  an  able 
and  well  reasoned  document — ^an  opinion  that  might  well  gratify  any 
one  of  much  more  pretension  than  the  chairman  of  the  finance  com- 
inittee. 

My  political  and  public  life  closed  with  my  second  term  in  the  Sen- 
ate, when  I  resumed  my  mercantile  pursuits,  givmg  some  thought  and 
labor  to  public  measures  connected  with  my  pursuits ;  particularly  to 
the  debenture  or  drawback  law  of  Congress,  and  the  Treaty  of  Reel- 
prodty  with  Great  Britain  and  her  American  Provinces.  The  former 
measure  originated  at  Oswego,  and  simply  provided  for  refunding  duties 
paid  on  importations  at  the  sea-board,  on  proof  of  exportation  over  land 
or  by  canal  to  Canada  and  New  Mexico. 

In  1884,  Qen.  Cass,  Secretary  of  War,  on  the  nomination  of  Silas 
Wright,  appointed  me  one  of  the  visitors  of  the  West  Point  Academy. 
Subsequently  the  State  of  New  York  commissioned  me,  with  two  others, 
to  settle  for  Otsego  an  exciting  court-house  question.  With  these 
slight  interruptions,  my  last  twenty  years  have  been  devoted  assiduously 
to  commerce.  Indeed,  this  pursuit  has  never  been  wholly  intermitted 
since  I  became  a  merchant 

HENRY  DUTION,  LL.  D. 

Ii  the  son  of  Thomas  and  a  younger  brother  of  Rev.  Matthew  R.  Button, 
(see  page  389,)  and  was  bom  in  Plymouth,  Feb.  12, 1796.  He  was  grad- 
uated at  Yale  College  in  1818,  and  made  a  tutor  in  1821.  He  has  since 
been  a  representative  and  senator  in  the  State  Legislature,  a  ju^  of 
the  County  Court  of  New  Haven,  and  governor  of  the  State.  In  1847, 
he  was  appointed  a  professor  in  the  law  department  of  Tale  College, 


Digitized  by  Google 


456 


HISTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


w  liich  oflicc  be  still  bolds.  TLe  degree  of  LL.  J),  was  conferred  upoo 
him  m  1854. 

8AMUEL  ALFRED  FOOTE 

Was  the  youngest  child  of  Jolni  and  Mary  Foote.    lie  was  born  in 
WaterLowii,  l)tc.  17,  1790,  and  resided  with  liib  parents  till  Sept 
1805,  when  he  \wut  to  live  with  bis  elJcr  hrothor,  Ehenezer,  {»ee  page 
390,)  then  residing  in  Troy.    After  a  liille  more  than  a  year  spent  in 
the  law  ofiiee  of  bis  brother,  the  latter  sent  him  to  the  (iraininar 
Scbool  eunrierted  witli  Union  College.    lie  entered  ibis  school  in  Dec. 
180G,and  the  Freshman  Class  of  Union  College  in  Sept.  1807.    He  k-ft 
college  in  Dec.  1810,  and  graduated  in  July,  1811.    After  leaving  col- 
lege, he  read  law  nearly  a  year  with  James  Thomson,  Estj.  of  Milton, 
Saratoga  Co.,  and  then  entered  the  ofljce  of  bis  brother  in  Albany,  to 
which  place  the  latter  bad  removed.    He  took  charge  of  the  bu?inesfl 
of  the  office  after  Feb.  1812,  when  bis  brother's  partner,  Samuel  Norlb, 
PIm]..  was  disabled  by  sickness,    Mr.  North  died  in  Jan.  1813,  when  a 
partnership  was  entered  into  by  the  brothers.    Samuel  A.  bad  then  not 
studied  law  the  required  time.    His  brother  made  for  him  a  special  ap- 
plication to  the  Court ;  and  in  consideration,  in  part,  of  the  time  he 
liad  spent  in  the  study  while  a  youth  and  before  entering  college,  tfae 
rule  was  dispensed  with,  an  examination  permitted,  and  a  license  to 
practice  as  an  attorney  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  was  grauted 
in  Jan.  1813.    He  was  admitted  counselor  in  Jan.  1816.    While  con- 
nected with  bis  brotber,  be  attended  to  tlie  business  of  the  office.  The 
partnership  was  prosperous,  but  of  short  duration,  on  aocouTit  of  the  early 
death  of  the  senior  brother.  The  survivor,  however,  conliDued  the  prac- 
tice of  law  in  Albany. 

Mr.  Foote  was  appointed  district  attorney  of  the  (^ity  and  County  of 
Albany,  under  the  admini^tration  of  Gov.  Clinton,  in  July,  1810,  and 
held  the  office  till  Feb.  1821,  when  he  was  removed  and  Benjamin  K 
Butler  appointed  iu  his  place.  He  continued  in  Albany  till  May,  1828, 
when  he  removed  to  the  City  of  New  York.— (See  The  f<»w 
Genealogy.) 

DAVID  nOADLEY.  (2d,) 

A  eon  of  David  Hoadley,  (see  page  390,)wa8  born  in  Waterbury,  Itb* 
13,1806.  While  still  a  minor,  he  wa.s  a  clerk  in  the  drug  store  of 
Hotcfakiss  &  Durand,  and  afterwards,  of  Lewis  Hotchkias,  in  New  Ha- 
ven. In  April,  1827,  he  commenced  business  on  bis  own  acconntiB 
New  York,  and  was  engaged  exclusively  in  the  wholesale  dnig  tmde 
til!  1848.  At  this  time,  on  account  of  impaired  health,  he  relinqui»li«^ 
active  business.  He  was  chosen  vice  president  of  the  American  fit- 


Digitized  by  Google 


APl'KMDEE. 


457 


cbange  Bank,  and  aa  hw  health  improTed,  consented  to  take  an  aetire  part 
in  the  management  of  the  husinesa.  While  connected  with  that  prosper- 
ous institution,  he  became  widely  known  for  his  prudence  and  skill. 

Resigning  hia  place  in  the  American  Exchange  Bank,  Mr.  Hoadley 
accepted  the  office  of  president  of  the  Panama  Railroad  Company,  and 
entered  upon  hia  duties,  Nof.  1, 1863.  Ho  still  occupies  that  responsi- 
ble and  difficult  position.  Few  men  in  the  financial  circles  of  New 
York  have  a  higher  reputation  for  ability,  integrity  and  successful 
enterprise. 

ISRAEL  HOLM£S 

Is  a  younger  brother  of  Capt  Reuben  Holmea,  (see  page  890,)  ia  a 
descendant  of  Lieut  Thomaa  Judd,  and  waa  bom  Dec.  19, 1800.  He 
received  an  ordinary  common  school  educatioii,  and  waa  himself  a 
teacher  of  the  school  in  the  West  Centre  district  in  Waterbury  when  he 
was  quite  young.  Afterwards,  he  became  prindpal  clerk  in  the  store  of 
J.  M.  L.  A  W.  n.  Soovil],  and  while  engaged  in  the  business  of  these 
gentlemen,  was  sent  by  them  to  England,  in  1829,  to  procure  workmen 
for  their  button  6ctory  and  the  brass  business. 

In  1881,  Holmes  i  Holchkiss  built  the  bnsa  mill  afterwards  occu- 
pied by  Brown  ds  Elton.  Mr.  Holmes  waa  desirous  of  connecting  wire 
making  with  brass  rolling,  but  oould  find  no  person  in  this  country  who 
had  any  knowledge  of  the  budnesa.  Foreseeing  the  importance  of  the 
interests  connected  with  the  successful  introduction  of  Uiis  new  branch 
of  manufacture  into  the  country,  he  made  a  second  voyage  to  England 
in  1831,  and  returned  with  men  and  machinery  enough  to  maktf  a  be- 
ginning— small,  it  is  true,  but,  viewed  in  its  results  as  we  now  see  them, 
of  great  value  to  Waterbury  and  to  the  country.  In  1884,  Mr.  Holmes 
removed  to  Wolcottville,  and  in  the  same  year  made  a  third  voyage  to 
England,  and  procured  workmen  and  machinery  for  the  manufiicture  of 
brass  kettles  in  Wolcottville,  by  the  only  method  then  known.  This 
was  the  origin  of  this  branch  of  budnesa  in  the  United  States.  In 
1845,  Mr.  Holmea  returned  to  Waterbury,  and  as  president  of  the  Wa- 
terbury Brass  Co.  occupied  himself  in  building  and  putting  in  operation 
their  works  in  the  east  part  of  the  town,  and  afterwards  of  their  **  West 
Mill,"  which  is  located  near  the  railroada  in  the  western  part  of  the  city. 

He  also  superintended  the  erection  of  a  brass  mill  in  Bristol,  and  is 
now  actively  engaged  in  business  as  superintendent  of  the  brass  rolling 
mill  of  Holmes,  Booth  A  Haydens,  of  which  corporation  he  is  the  presi- 
dent He  is  a  man  of  great  energy  and  untiring  industry.  It  is  hoped 
it  will  not  offend  his  well  known  modesty  if  it  be  added,  that  be  baa 
much  of  the  natural  genius  and  brilliancy  of  intellect  which  belonged  to 
his  brother  Reuben. 


Digitized  by  Google 


IL  GENEALOGY. 


ADAMS. 

1.  William  Adams  aeUled  in  Waterbary,  m.  Susanna,  dau.  of 
Ebenezer  Bronion,  Feb.  14,  1739-40,  and  d.  April  23,  1793.  His 
wife  (1.  March  22, 1812,  aged  94.  His  ch.  were:  L  Samuel,  b.  Aug.O, 
1740;  II.  Prudence,  b.  March  31,  1742,  d.  Oct  16,  1743  ;  III.  William, 
b.'July  1,  1744,  d.  Oct  12,  1747  ;  IV.  Prudence^  b.  April  24,  1746, 4 
young;  V.  William,  b.  June  1,  1748 ;  VI.  Susanna,  b.  Nor.  4, 1749,  m. 
Roswell  Bronson;  VII.  John,  b.  Feb.  2,  1751 ;  VIII.  Jaraes,  b.  Feb.  11, 
1764,  d.  num.  Feb.  1780 ;  IX.  Luke^  b.  March  8, 17£6 ;  X.  Sjlvanus,  h, 
June  22, 1769;  XL  Rath,  b.  Dec  14, 1761,  d. Nor.  26, 1767;  XIL  A«- 
hel,  b.  Jaly  28,  1704,  m.  Eunice  Prichard. 

2.  Samubl,  son  of  William,  (1,)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Edmuud  Tompkins 
March  1, 1764,  and  d.  Dec.  18, 1778.  Ch.  as  followa:  L  Prudence,  h. 
Aug.  10, 1766;  IL  Reuben,  b.  April  18, 1767,  d.  Oct  6,  1888;  HI. 
Ruth,  b.  April  8, 1769,d.  Oct  28, 1791 ;  IV.  Samuel, b.  July  10, 1771; 
y.  Mary,  b.  Aug.  18,  1773,  m.  Danl.  0p8on,  and  d.  June  29,  1830. 

8.  WnxiAM,  wm  of  William,  (1,)  m.  Sarah  Goodwin  of  Lebanon, 
Conn.,  Feb.  22, 1776,  who  d.  Feb.  18,  1788,  and  he  m.  2d,  Orpha  Coi* 
set,  Dee.  29, 1788.  He  d.  Jan.  26, 1829.  Ch. :  L  Meriek,  b.  Aug-  30, 
1776,  d.  1786 ;  IL  Sena,  b.  June  6, 1778,  m.  John  Hull;  HL  Sarab,  b. 
Jan.  8, 1780,  d.  1784 ;  IV.  Jeme,  b.  Jan.  4, 1782,  d.  Aug.  27, 1825; 
V.  Merick,  b.  Mareh  2, 1786,  d.  1794 ;  VL  Roxa,  b.  Oet8, 1791 ;  VIL 
Channoey,  b.  Dec.  8, 1796 ;  VIIL  AuguBtua^  b.  Feb.  28, 1799 ;  IX.  Wil- 
liam Hopkins^  b.  Feb.  12, 1802. 

4.  John,  son  of  William,  (1,)  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  James  Bionaon,  Ms/ 
26, 1780.  She  d.  Not«  21, 1793,  and  he  m.  Cynthia,  dau.  of  Bbeneaac 
Fitch  of  Wallingfoid,  May  21,  1794.  Hia  ch.  were:  L  Esther,  h 
March  21, 1781 ;  H.  Fanny,  b.  March  7, 1783 ;  IIL  Benoni,  b.  Feb.  86» 
1786 :  IV.  Sarab,  b.  Feb.  6, 1787 ;  V.  Hannah,  b.  Dec.  1, 1789;  VI. 


Digitized  by  Google 


AFFERIHZ* 


459 


Juliana,  b.  June  24, 1703,  d.  1793 ;  VU.  Luther,  b.  May  31, 1705;  YUI. 
Amanda* 

5.  ILuu,  flon  of  William,  (1,)  m.  Lucy,  dau.  of  Joseph  Nichols, 
Jan.  8,  1782.  Cb. :  L  Anne,  b.  Aug.  31,  1782;  IL  Susanna,  b.  Sept 
le,  1784;  m.  Betsey,  b.  Dec.  21,  1780. 

6.  SvLVAxus,  son  of  William,  (1,)  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Dea.  Tinuithy 
Uopkins,  Dec.  4,  1783.  Ch.:  L  Mark,  b.  Sept.  16,  1784  ;  11.  Chloe, 
b.  Feb.  4,  1786 ;  m.  Mark,  bw  Oct  18,  1787 ;  IV.  Timothy  Hopkins,  b. 
Sept  20,  1780. 

AICOGKE.* 

AlCOCK,  AttOOCEB,  AIXCOZ,  ALCOX,  ALOOTT. 

1.  John  Alcott  was  b.  at  Beverly,  Yo^k^llire,  Eng.,  was  Bishop 
of  Ivochester,  AVorocitter  and  Ely,  in  the  time  of  Henry  VII ;  also  Lord 
Chancellor  of  Eng.  IIo  founded  Jesus  College,  Cainltridge,  and  was 
distingui.slR'd  in  his  day  for  his  learning  and  piety.  He  d.  Oct.  1, 
1500,  and  was  buried  in  a  sunipluuua  tomb  of  his  own  designing,  ia 
Ely  cathedral — now  niut  h  defaced. 

2.  Mr.  George  Alcocke  came  to  tliis  country  in  1G30,  and  settled 
in  Roxbury,  Mass.,  where  be  was  a  deacon  of  the  church,  and  an  impor- 
tant man  in  the  Colony. 

3.  Mr.  Thomas  Alcocke,  tlie  progenitor  of  all  bearing  the  name  in 
Conn.,  came  from  Eng.  in  AVinthrop's  company  in  1630,  with  his 
brother  Georqc.  In  the  covcnani  ol"  the  First  church  of  Boston,  dated 
at  Charlcstown,  August  27,  1G30,  Thomas  Alcocke  stands  forty-sixth 
on  the  list  of  original  nieniltcrs:  "Ano,  8:  7:  1039,  our  brother  Thomas 
Alcocke  and  sister  Margarj  were  recommended  to  De<ldara,"  wiiere  lie 
settled.  In  1C50,  he  removed  to  Boston,  and  d.  Jan.  1G57.  His  wid. 
Margary,  m.  John  Benhara  of  New  Haven,  to  which  place  she  removed 
about  ICCO.  His  ch.  were  :  I.  Mary,  bap.  Nov.  3,  1G35,  ami  d.  1G44; 
II.  Elizabeth,  bap.  Dec.  10,  1G37,  d.  the  same  year;  HI.  Elizabeth,  b. 
Oct.  4,  1038,  m.  May  6,  1G5G,  Joseph  Soper  of  Boston;  IV.  Sarah,  b. 
Dec.  28,  1G39;  V.  Hannah,  b.  May  25,  1G42;  VI.  Mary,  b.  June  8, 
1044,  m.  Sept  27,  1604,  James  Robinson  of  Dorchester,  d.  March  13, 
1718  ;  VII.  Rebecca,  b.  1C4G,  was  grandmother  of  the  wife  of  the  first 
Gov.  Trumbull  of  Conn.;  VIII.  Phillip,  b.  1048,  settled  in  New  Haven; 
IX.  John,  bap.  Aug.  6,  1051,  m.  Constance,  dau.  of  Humphrey  Milane 
of  Boston,  where  he  resided,  and  d.  before  1712.  Ho  had  two  sons  and 
six  daughters, 

•  rortlMaMl«fftaliorililiBotlM  I  aa  iad«M«d  to  Aom  Brooieii  Alcott  of  BMtaD,lbM. 


Digitized  by  Google 


4$0 


€r,  wL  /  Lii  siirr.*»i  J :  f ^-  -  »^--  ia  wi*:**^  11.1:.  -  j  in-  ir.cp:  j 
cp.    H*  Ea,  in  Dec  5.  I '172.  F.  ra-'-^cu  loJ/   io.:.  :c  r^  rciA*  IT-*^ 

Ji-e  j:^.  i.:  Weti-!rr^c-rl.i.  Li*  m^ir.    r  i  :/"/.  Arri  4.   Sir^i,  wil 

of  XiJLi::^^^  h-i-^rT.  %z^i  an-rnraoii  Ilriti  Li-ire.  H*>  F'j^  L  -  17:5. 
*Z-i'l         Hi*  il.  w-r-.LJ.>ia,kJ;;jU.  :-:7::  EL  Tionr**.  :  >:':  . 

IlL  EixaU±,  b.  F^b.     1»!;7&.       m-  G«t  :  IV.  PS^,  :^  > 

L       re  1712:  V.  A^o*s.b.   a»T»:«. 

wbo  A.  :n  1737.  lU  <L  Mar  h  1722-2^.  i^-^ii  47.  C>  :  L  Ai^ii."- 
Ca>v  r.  .rr^ii  Oi'  Havc!U  Jii-  6,  17-^-5  :  IL  Ja=:-  I*.  l"w. 

in  Wai^n/unr;  IIL  E.  b.  J  .  r  31. 17»:-r.  be_  J£t  21. 174T, 

Jane  23,  1746,  John  A       of  lU.^r.:  V.  >>c>:-r=,      A^- 10, 

1714,  m.  Jask.  16.  1737.  AM  jail  H'li'r.ni-rmc^i,  at*:  I^tc^i  A=::*.j.  S'*' 
Wooibridj*; :  "srii  a  lirj^  !ai  i  oirrr-r.  a::  3  LaI  two  ciu  S-.-rr^tc  Aa^. 
22,  1738,  a:,i  Sar^\  who  m.  S-i  .  m  a  G::b«t  of  Xc»  Ha^^- ;  VL 
Matt,  U  Aog.  10,  1717,  m.  11,  1136,  l>Mx:ti  liaek  «f  ^ 
Ten, 

6.  Thoxab,  5'>n  of  PM'!'p.  (4.)  m,  1st,  Mary  Ge^ir-fT.  Apr?,  170«,  »i 
2d.      i.nil  Aq»uq  of  East  Haven,  at  wb'ch  plaor  z.r  reai.  iei,  ard  I 
be  d.  .\pril  2,  1757,  a:r^i  SO.    He  L^d  two  j-oiis  a:il        da^ji^-^^?^  ' 

7.  Jouv,  K#n  of  John,  (5.j  was  m.  br  Rct.  I^Ai.:  S:L"-rs  'A  X  —  1 
Hav^  n.  Jan.  14,  1729-30,  to  Deborah,  dao.  of  I-aa:  B  ak^'^ 

iara^  jf!,v;*?.    He  d.  Jan.  0,  1777.    H:>  wif^  d.  Jan.  7.  17ri«.  ! 
Tn*rjr  ha  l  12  ch.,  el'-ven  of  whom  were  b.  in  Wat^rt'orr.    Yzej  K-r?  » 
f>:!ow5  :  L  Lvdia,  b.  Nov.  24,  1730.  m.  I^aac  r>:ai«si<e  U  Nc<^  I 
llaven,  Nov.  23,  1757,  »L-re  ile  Ktik-i,  and  d.  Not.  15,  K?*?.  «H 
6«.    .^be  had  8  ch.    II.  John.  b.  I>rc.  2*.  1731  ;  IIL  Jsmes,  b.  Jim 
1,  1734  ;  IV.  Je^<^?,     Mar  h  23,  1736  :  V.  Paniel,  b.  March  2o, 
VL  David,  b.  Jan.  12,  1710:  Ml.  DrrWah,  b.  1741,  m.  Ut,  I*a*f 
Twiii.hell,  2d,  Wait  llotchkL-*  and  setile.]  r.rar  the  **  mil]  p^jt^v." 
Ma.1  River;  VIII.  Marj-,  b.  1744,  m.  Ob^i  Braiiey  of  North  Hitcs, 
w!j.re  f^he  lived  and  d.  Mir  h  C,  1S25:  IX.  Thankful,  b.  1745.  m- 
Th'i  !I'-U5  Baldwin  of  Plymouth,  where  she  'etiled,  and  d.  March  1. 1*-^^* 
^    X.  Hannah,  b.  1751,  in.  Joel  Norton  of  Bri>td,and  d.  March  1, 1^-^' 
XL  Anna,  m.  Abel  CurUas  of  Wolcott,  and  d.  Feb.  5,  1S22;  ^ 
Steplien,  d.  young. 

H.  ions,  son  of  John,  (7.)  m.  Aug.  28.  1755,  Mary.  dau.  of  S*?^^^' 
mon  Chaifield  of  Derbj,  and  settled  near  his  Catber.   He  vas  a  \t^H 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


461 


man  in  the  aociety  of  Farmingbnry.  Botli  ho  aod  his  wife  were  mem- 
ben  of  the  church  there,  which  was  oi^gaaiied  by  Rev.  Mr.  Gillett,  Nov. 
1 8,  1773.  Mra.  Alcoz  d.  Feb.  28,  1807,  a.  71,  and  Mr.  Alcox  d.  Sept 
27,  1808.  Their  ch.  were:  t  Lydia,  K  Dec  8,  1756,01.  Ist,  Charles 
Frisbie,  2d,  Nathaniel  Lewis,  both  of  Wolcott,  and  d.  Sept.  23,  1830. 
n.  Solomon,  b.  May  8,  1759;  IIL  Samael,  b.  Nov.  29,  1761;  IV. 
John  Blakeslee^  b.  June  24, 1764;  V.  Maty,  b.  Sept.  8, 1766,  d.  Feb. 
18,  1770;  yj.  Isaao,  b.  April  12, 1769,  m.  Isabel  Lane  of  Wolcott 
He  lived  near  the  east  church,  Plymouth,  where  he  d.  1809.   He  had 

an  only  child,  which  d.  in  infimoy ;  VIT.  Joseph  Chatfield,  b.  May  7, 

1771 ;  Vin.  Mark,  b.  May  11,  1778 ;  IX.  Thomas,  b.  Oct  16, 1775,  d. 

April  27,  1778.  Of  the  preceding,  Solomon,  Samuel  and  John  B. 

served  in  the  Revolutionaiy  war. 

9.  Jambs,  son  of  John,  (7,)  m.  Hannah  Barnes,  and  settled  near  the 
homestead  of  his  father.  He  d.  Aug.  9,  1806,  aged  72.  Oh. :  I.  Obe- 
dience, m.  John  Kenea,  who  d.  aged  88 ;  H.  Rosanna,  m.  John  Fris- 
bie, and  d.  in  1830 :  HL  Melisoent,  m.  Nathaniel  Lane ;  IV.  James,  m. 
Esther  Castle;  V.  Mehitsble,  m.  James  Bradley;  VL  Lois,  m.  John 
Smith ;  VIL  Desdima,  m.  Joshua  Minor,  and  d.  Jan.  15, 1852,  aged 
60  ;  VIIL  Hannah,  m.  Osman  Norton ;  IZ.  Olive^  m.  Edward  Good- 
year; X.  Rhoda,  m.  Lewis  Ssnford. 

10.  Jbssb,  son  of  John,  (7,)  m.  Patience  Blakeslee,  and  settled  in 
Wolcott  He  d.  Oct  29,  1829,  aged  74.  His  wid.  m.  Zschariah 
Hitchcock, and  d.in  1840,  aged  97.  Ch.:  L  Sarah, m. David  Churchill ; 
IL  Lyman,  d.  Nov.  17, 1781,  aged  16;  IIL  Susan,  m.  John  Beecher, 
and  d.  Nov.  3,  1836,  aged  69;  IV.  Jeise,  m.  Lucy  Minor;  V.  Joel,  m. 
Elizabeth  Johnson,  and  d.  May  27, 1810,  aged  32 ;  VI.  Hannah,  m. 
Daniel  Byington;  VIL  Chloe,  m.  Solomon  Shelley;  VIIL  Ithamer,  d. 
Aug.  9, 1798,  aged  3. 

11.  Danul,  son  of  John,  (7,)  m.  Elisabeih  Dutton,  moved  to  Cole- 
brook,  Conn,  and  d.  May  24, 1805.  He  had  nine  children. 

12.  David,  son  of  John,  (7,)  m.  Abigail  Johnson,  who  d.  Feb.  23, 
1793,  aged  55,  and  he  m.  Feb.  5,  1795,  Sarah  Pratt  He  lived  on  the 
homestead,  where  he  d.  Jan.  29,  1821.  Ch.:  L  Amy,  b.  Sept  16, 
1768,  d.  May  5, 1830,  aged  62 ;  IL  Abigail,  b.  Dec  14, 1770,  m.  Asa- 
bel  Lane;  HL  Daniel,  b.  April  16,  1774,  m.  Feb.  22,  1805,  Anna 
Fenn;  IV.  Obed,  b.  Sept  8, 1775,  m.  July  13,  1797,  Anna  Andrews  of 
Watertown ;  V.  and  VL  Eldad  and  Medad,  b.  Sept  14, 1779.  Eldad 
ro.  Jan.  29, 1817,  Sybil  Bartholomew,  and  d.  June  4,  1850.  Medad 
m.  Sylvia,  dau.  of  Capt.  Amos  Bronson  of  Plymouth.  She  d.  at  Medi- 
na, Ohio,  Sept.  18,  1865,  aged  89;  VIL  Eunice,  b.  Oct.  17,  1782,  m. 


Digitized  by  Google 


4 


462  HUTOBT  OF  WATSBBURT. 

April  24,  180G,  Arcliibaia  Mosher ;  VIII.  Del>orah,  b.  Nov.  25,  1784, 
m.  Feb.  18, 1808,  Isaac  Minor,  who  d.  Mansh  22, 1818.  She  m.  Lorria 

Fancber,  March  4,  1820. 

13.  Solomon-,  son  of  John,  (8,)  ra.  1st,  Pamela  Roberts,  who  d.  in 
1810,  aged  49,  and  he  m.  2d,  Abiijrail  Goodyear.  He  lived  atPotucko^s 
Ring,  near  his  father's,  and  d.  May  21,  1818.  Ch.:  I.  Lydia,  na.  and  d» 
in  Ohio;  II.  Hannah,  m.  Ist,  Richard  Wethington  of  Waterbury,  and 
2d,  Capt.  Gates  Upson  of  Wolcott;  III.  Seth,  went  to  Ohio;  IV.  Solo- 
mon, d.  in  childhood ;  V.  Leonard,  d.  near  Cleveland,  Ohio,  where  Seth 
now  resiiles. 

14.  Samuel,  son  of  Jolin,  (8.)  m.  Lydia  Warner  of  Waterbury,  set- 
tled in  Woleott,  and  d.  June  9,  1810.  Lydia,  his  wife,  d.  May  2,  1848, 
aged  82.  Tlieir  ch.  were  :  I.  James,  m.  Sarah  W.  Warner  of  Water- 
bury, and  resi<les  in  Monrovia,  N.  Y. ;  II.  Mary,  m.  Isaac  Hotchkiss  of 
Woleott,  and  d.  Dec.  1840;  III.  Cleora,  d.  Feb.  16,  1826,  aired  33  ;  IV. 
Statira,  ni.  Oct.  4,  1819,  Amos  Sliepherd  of  Southiogton  ;  V.  Candace, 
m.  (ieo,  (iriswold,  ami  lives  in  Iowa. 

15.  John  Blakeslee.  son  of  John,  (8,)  ni.  Lois  Gaylord  of  Wolcott, 
and  heltlrd  at  Spindle  Hill.  Ho  d.  Sept.  17,  1837.  His  wid.  d.  April 
7,  1830,  aijed  70.  Ch. :  L  liiley,  m.  1st,  Ruth  Frisbie,  2d,  Olive  War- 
ner, and  resides  in  Waterbury ;  II.  Almon,  m.  twice  and  lives  in  Wol- 
cott; III.  Jedediah  G.,  m.  Ist,  Sophia  Roper  of  Wolcott,  2d,  Lois  Gay- 
lord  of  Harpersfield,  N.  Y.  He  lires  on  Spindle  Hill,  where  his  father 
died. 

16.  JosiPB  GBATmuiyioii  of  John,  (8,)  m.  Oct  IS,  1796,  Anna, 
dan.  of  Capt  Amos  Bronson  of  Plymouth.  Joseph  G.  first  tired 
near  his  brother  Solomon  at  **Potocko*s  Ring,"*  but  in  1805,  settled 
near  his  brother  John  R,  at  Clinton  Hill  or  New  Connecticut  He  d. 
April  3, 1829.  His  wid.  Anna  still  lires.  They  had  the  following  ch. :  L 
Betsey,  b.  April  4, 1798,  d.  Nor.  6, 1798 ;  H.  Amos  Bronson,  (see  p.  447,) 
b.  Nor.  29, 1799;  HL  Cbatfield,  b.  Oct  28, 1801,  m.  1st,  Nancy  Oomstock 
of  Paris,  N.  Y.,  and  2d,  Miranda  Baily.  He  lires  at  Oriskany  Falls,  N. 
Y. ;  IV.  and  Y.  Pamela  and  Pamila,  b.  Feb.  4, 1806.  Pamela  m.  James 
Baily  of  Wolcott,  mored  to  Pennsylrania,  and  d.  Feb.  11, 1849.  Pa- 
mila m.  Ransom  Gaylord  of  Bristol,  went  to  Stoekbiidge,  N.  Y.,  and  d. 
Jnne  14,  1888 ;  YL  Betsey,  b.  Feb.  14, 1808,  m.  linus  Pardee  of  Wol- 
cott, and  lires  at  West  Edmeston  near  Oriskany  Falls,  N.  Y.;  VH. 
Fhebe,  b.  Feb.  18,  1810,  m.  William  Norton  of  Woloott,  lired  on 
the  family  homestead,  where  she  died  Jnly  28, 1844,  aged  84  ;  YIII. 


•  So  called  from  Poturko,  nn  ItkIIiii,  who  liavlnp  fired  a  rln|r  of  briuhwood  to  BurrouDd  and 
catch  deer  and  other  game,  was  hltusclf  entrapped  and  consumed.  80  aaya  tradition. 


Digitized  by  Google 


AFPENDIZ.  4G3 

Maich  26, 1812,  d.  July  10, 1812 ;  CL  Janios,  b.  July  6, 
^ao^  Jane  PriUsbaid  of  Idtohfialcl,  Conn^  lived  at  Orislniiy 
i\,  April  16,  1852,  aged  84 ;  X.  Ambrose,  b.  Sept  10, 1820, 
Up«0D  of  Woloott,  and  liTea  at  Plantsvillein  Sonthington. 
.Rx,  Bon  of  John,  (8,)  m.  Mary  Lane  of  Woloott,  who  d.  Oct 
aged  61.  He  d.  Nov.  21, 1846.  Thar  eh.  were :  I.  and  IL 
<1  Manda,  (twins,)  d.  in  infiuicy ;  IIL  Thomas;  JV,  Emily,  m. 
<  ewton ;  V.  Alvin,  m.  Ghloe  Finch  of  Wolcott,  and  lives  near 
1  phioe,  on  Mad  Biver,  m  Wolcott;  VI.  Salina,  m.  James,  son  of 
Alooz,  and  fires  in  Wolcott;  TII.  Isaac,  m.  and  fives  at  Plain- 
'Onn. 

Obsd,  son  of  David,  (12,)  m.  Anna,  dan.  of  William  Andms,  a 
r  of  the  Bevolntion  and  descendant  of  Abraham  Andms,  one  of 
figinal  settlers  of  Waterbufy.  He,  Obed,  d.  Aug.  0, 1847.  His 
ere:  L  WiUiam      (see  p.  447,)  b.  Aug.  6,  1798,  m.  PhebeL. 
son  of  Wolcott,  Jan.  14,  1888;  IL  Lovina,  b.  Jan.  17,  1801,  m. 
iam  Knowles  of  Haddam,  in  1820,  d.  March  1, 1821 ;  HL  Florence, 
vug.  0,  1804;  IV.  George,  b.  March  25,  1807,  m.  Harriet  Nichols 
has  five  children. 

BENEDICT. 

1.  WiLUAM  BsnoiOT  lived  in  Nottinghamshire^  abont  A.  D.  1500, 
'*d  had  an  only  son,  Wifiiam,  who  resided  in  the  same  shire.* 

2.  William,  the  son  of  '^liam,  (1,)  had  a  son  Wilfiam,  b.  in  Not- 
oghamshire. 

8.  William,  son  of  William,  (2,)  had  by  his  first  wife,  Thomas,  b.  in 
England,  in  1617.  His  2d  wife  was  a  Mrs.  Bridgnm. 

4.  Thomas,  son  of  William,  (8,)  m.  Mary  Bridgnm,  dan.  of  hia 
fiither's  second  wife,  and  was  a  weaver  by  trade.  He  came  to  Mass., 
where  he  resided  for  a  tune.  Thence  he  removed  to  Southold,  L  I., 
thence  to  Huntington  and  thence  to  Jamaica,  on  the  same  island.  On 
the  26th  of  Sept  1664,  he  appUed,  with  otheis,  for  liberty  to  settle  at 
the  place  which  is  now  Eliiabethtown,  N.  J.,  and  the  petition  was 
granted.  Gov.  Nichols  issued  an  order  for  an  election,  dated  Feb.  8, 
1664,  at  James  Fort,  N.  Y.,  to  the  magistrates  of  the  towns  on 
L.  L,  to  elect  two  delegates  in  each  town,  sober,  able  and  discreet 
persons,  to  meet  at  Hemslead  on  the  last  of  Febmaiy,  to  enact  laws* 
Ac,  and  Thomas  Benedict  was  chosen  one  of  the  delegates  by  the  town 
of  Jamaica.  He  held  a  fientenanfs  commission  from  Gov.  Nicbols, 


*  The  eaily  pen«rAtIons  of  thil  fluatly  are  Uken  from  a  parchment  record,  BOir  IB  powCHlea 
of  th«  tMiDl\jt  whteh  has  Um  •pPCMnuM*  «f  balag  mi  aaetaiit  doeamtot. 


464: 


BI8T0BT  OF  WATBSBUBT* 


dated  April  7,  1GG.>.  Durlni;  the  same  y<i;ir,  he  removed  to  N'orwa'k, 
Conn.,  with  his  family.    In  he  was  cliosen  town  clerk  and  .-eleet- 

man  of  Norwalk.  The  ollii  e  of  town  clerk  he  held  many  years  at  2(K 
per  year,  and  was  <leputy  to  the  lieneral  Court  in  M  iy,  1070  and  1G75. 
Till!  ofrice  of  doaeon  he  hold  many  years  in  the  church  of  Norwalk,  and 
**  us^'d  tiio  otlice  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  cdiurch,  until  Lis  death,"  wliic'i 
occurred  in  his  73d  year.    Cb. :  I.  Thomas;  II.  John;  III.  Samuel; 

IV.  Janus;  V.  Daniel;  VI.  Betty,  in.  John  Slanson,  of  Stanifor.l; 
VII.  Mary,  m.  Lieut.  Olmsted  of  Norwalk,  Nov.  11,  1G70;  Vlfl. 
Sarali,  m.  Dec.  19,  1079,  James  Bcebe,  who  was  one  of  tlie  early  se:- 
tlers  of  Danbury  ;  IX.  Rebecca,  m.  Doct.  Samuel  Woods,  who  was 
born  and  educated  in  Entrland,  and  settled  in  Danbury. 

5.  Thomas,  son  of  Tlio.  (4.)  m.  Mary  Messenger  of  Jamaica,  L  I., 
and  scaled  in  Norwalk.  Ch. :  Mary  b.  IGOG  ;  Thomas,  b.  1070;  Han- 
nah, b.  107G  ;  Esther  b.  1079  ;  Abigail,  b.  1G82,  and  Elizabeth. 

6.  Dea.  John,  son  of  Tho.  (4,)  m.  Phebe,  dau.  of  John  Gregory,  of 
Norwalk,  Nov.  11,  1070,  and  d.  at  the  age  of  89.  His  wife  d.  1749. 
Ch  :  I.  Sarah  ;  11.  Phebe,  b.  1G73;  III.  John,  b.  1070  ;  IV.  Jonathan; 

V.  Benjamin,  settled  at  Ividgefield,  about  1720,  was  deacon  and  select- 
man ;  VI.  Josei>l),  settled  at  Ridgefield ;  VII.  James,  b.  1685,  settled 

at  Ridgefield;  VIII.  Mar7 :  IX.  Thomas.  , 

7.  Samukl,  son  of  Tho.  (4,)  m.  Rebecca  Andrew's,  of  Fairfiel  h   He  | 
purchased,  with  his  brother  Jame*?,  and  others,  in  1085,  lands  in  Pmd- 
bury  and  began  a  settlement  there.    Ch. :  Joanna,  b.  Oct.  22,  lG'-3;  ] 
Samuel,  b.  March,  1075;  Thomas,  b.  March  27,  1079;  Rebecca,  Either, 
Nathaniel  and  Abraham  (?)  | 

8.  James,  son  of  Tho.  (4,)  m.  Sarah  Gregory,  of  Norwalk,  M«y  | 
1070,  and  settle.l  at  Danbury.  Ch. :  Sarah,  b.  June  16,  1677;  Rebecca.  j 
Phebe,  James,  John,  Thomas  and  Elizabeth. 

9.  Daniel,  son  of  Tho.  (4,)  m.  Mary  Marvin  of  Norwalk,  settled  at 
Danbury.    Ch. :  M  try,  Daniel,  Merry  and  Hannah. 

10.  Thomas,  son  of  Tho.  (5.)  m.  Rachel,  dau.  of  Mr.  Samuel  Smitli 
of  Norwalk.    Ch. :  I.  Mary,  nj.  Daniel  St.  John,  of  Norwalk; 
Thomas,  m.  Deborah,  dau.  of   Jonathan  Waters,  Esq.,  of  JaniAK"'^- 
III.  S:unuel;  IV.  Daniel;  V.  Racliel,  m.  Elia^aph,  son  of  Danl.  Kdlt^' 
of  Norwalk;  VI.  Nehemiah  ;  VII.  Sarah,  in.  Daniel  ilayt,  of  Norwalk- 

11.  Jons,  son  of  Dea.  John,  (6.)  had  Johu,  Matthew,  Caleb,  NaliJ^'* 
iel,  Annah  and  Phebe. 

12.  JosKi'ii,  son  of  Dea.  Jolin,  (G,)  had  Joseph,  Gideon,  Anna,  P'^" 
man,  Jonathan,  Mary,  lizra  and  John. 

13.  Bknj\min',  son  of  Dea.  John,  (0,)  liad  Benjamin,  Timothy,  Jw^J"* 
Samuel,  Daniel,  Amos,  Elizabeth,  Mary,  liachel  and  Thankfal. 


Digitized  by  Google 


BmiOBY  OV  WAXKBSOET 


465 


14.  James,  son  of  Dea.  John,  (6,)  had  Sarah,  Ruth,  Peter,  Haonah, 
Pheb«,  JameBi  Martlia^  John  and  Thomas. 

1 5.  Thomas,  son  of  Dea.  Joho,  (0,)  bad  Ebeoeser,  David,  John,  Thorn* 
as,  Betty  and  Seth. 

16.  Samuel,  son  of  Thomas,  (10,)  m.  Jemima,  dan.  of  John  Kesler, 
of  Norwalk.  Ch. :  Jemima,  Samuel,  llaiy,  Daoiei,  Stephen,  Sarah,  Abi- 
gail, E-^iber  and  £achel. 

17.  Daniel,  son  of  Samuel,  (IG,)  m.  Sarah  Hickox.  Ue  lived  in 
Danbury.  Ch. :  Samuel  I>aniel,  Amoe,  Noah,  b.  1737,  Aifon,  b.Jan. 
17,  1745,  Ruth,  Sarah  and  Mary. 

18.  Rev.  Noah,  son  of  Daniel,  (17,)  graduated  at  Nassau  UjiII,  in 
1767»  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  First  Congregational  Church  in  Wood- 
bury, Oct.  22,  1700,  and  died  in  1813.  Ch. :  I.  Rath,  m.  Hon.  Nathan- 
iel Smith ;  II.  Hon.  Noah  b.  April  2, 1771,  wai  an  eminent  lawyer  ; 
HI.  Geo.  Thomas. 

19.  Aaro.v,  son  of  Daniel,  (17,)  m.  Esther  Trowbridge,*  of  Danbury^ 
Dec.  13, 1769 ;  removed  to  Waterbury  the  same  year, and  settled  in  the 
east  part  of  what  is  now  the  town  of  Middlebury  ;  ^became  a  leading  man 
in  the  town ;  was  active  in  the  Revolutionary  war ;  represented  the  town  in 
the  L<'ix'^l:iture,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention. 
He  d.  Dec.  10, 1841,  aged  97.  His  wife  d.  March  16,  1833.  Ch.  :  I.  Re- 
becca, b.  Aug.  31,  1772,  ra.  Eli  Clark  of  Waterbury,  and  had  Joseph, 
Polly,  Maria,  Harriet,  Edward,  Eli  B.,  Timothy,  James  ;  II.  Daniel,  h.  Jan. 
17,  1774,  d.  Nov.  6,  1781 ;  IH.  Polly,  b.  April  24.  1777,  m.  Asa  Ly- 
man, and  had  Elizabeth,  Mary  Ann,  Caroline,  Louisa,  Theodore  and 
Dwight;  IV.  Amos,  (seep.  370,)  b.  July  6,  1780,  m.  Ann  Stone,  of 
Litchfield.  Ch. :  Harriet  Ann,  Amelia  C.  and  George  Amoe ;  V.  Sally, 
b.  Aug.  22,1782,  is  unmarried,  and  lives  on  the  old  homestead,  in 
Middlebury;  VI.  Aaron,  b.  Aug.  9,  1785  ;  VII.  A  son,  b.  March  16, 
1788,  died  April  25,  1788;  VII.  Esther,  b.  Aug.  11,  1789,  m.  Dr. Jacob 
Linsley,  of  Middlebury  ;  is  a  widow  and  lives  in  W"aterbury. 

20.  AAROJfjf  son  of  Aaron,  (19,)  m.  Charlotte  Porter,  of  Waterbury 
Sept.  1808.  Ch. :  I.  Charlotte  Ann,  b.  March  27, 1810,  m.  Scovill  M.  Buck- 
ingham,  May  18,  1835  ;  II.  Frances  Jennette,  b.  Nov.  22, 1812,  d.  Feb. 
13,1830;  HI.  George  W.,  b.  Nov.  26,  1814,  m.  Caroline  R.,  dau.  of 
Austin  Steele,  of  Waterbury,  Feb.  8,  1838.  Ch.:  ^fary  Caroline,  Fran- 
ces Jennette,  George  Henry,  Aaron  Austin,  and  Clara  Louisa;  IV. 
Charles,  b.  Sept.  23, 1817,  m.  Cornelia  M.  Johnaon,  of  Waterbury,  Oct. 

*  She  WM  a  dcitcendant  of  WUliam  Trovbridye,  of  New  Uavco,  vho  wu  »  aoa  of  TboniM 
Tro«brMffe,  the  progenitor  vf  tU  of  Um  mum  In  thto  country. 
t6«op.416. 

30 


Digitized  by  Google 


466  mffTQBT  OF  WATKBBUBY. 

1,1845.  Ch. :  Amelia  Caroline,  Charlotte  Buckingham,  and  Corntlia 
Johnson;  V.  Miry  Lyinan,  Sept.  24,  1819,  m.  John  S.  Mitchell,  of 
New  Haveo,  Jan.  3,  1838,  and  had  Charles  B^b.  1840,  d.  1854. 

BLAKESLEE.* 

1.  Thomas  Blakeslky  first  appeared  at  llarifurd  about  1C41.  lie 
took  the  oath  of  fitlelity  at  New  llaven  in  1644,  but  was  at  llran- 
ford  in  1645,  where  he  lived  some  years.  He  removed  thence  to 
Guilford,  and  died  at  Boston  in  1674,  leaving  a  wife,  Susanna,  ami  <  b. 
as  follows:  Aafm,  Moses,  Miriam,  wife  of  Samuel  Pond,  and  Abigsil, 
wife  of  Bali. 

2.  Sauubl,!  probably  a  brother  of  Thomas,  (1,)  and  ancestor  of  the 
Blakeslees  who  settled  early  at  Woodbury,  AVaterbury,  <fec.,  was  a 
planter  at  Guilford  in  1650,  and  m.  Dec.  3,  the  same  year,  Hannah, 
dau.  of  William  Potter  of  New  Uaven,  to  which  place  he  removed,  and 
d.  in  1672,  leaving  four  ch.,  viz:  Johny  Mary,  Samuel  and  Ebenezer. 
The  births  of  his  ch.,  as  found  on  record,  were :  I.  John,  b.  Oct.  22, 
1651  ;  II.  a  son  who  d.  1672  ;  III.  Hannah,  b.  Oct.  22,  1C57,  d.  16G9; 
IV.  Mary,  Nov.  2,  1659 ;  V.  Samuel,  April  8,  1662  ;  VI.  Ebenezer, 
b.  July  17,  16G4  ;  VII.  Haimali,  May  22,  1666;  YIII.  Jooatbsn, 
March  3,  1669,  d.  1669. 

3.  John,  son  of  Samuel,  (2,)  lived  at  New  Uavcn,  and  d.  in  1713. 
He  had  by  his  wife,  Grace:  I.  John,  b.  July  15,  1676,  d.  l728,lesriiig 
a  family  ;  II.  IlanQah  or  Anna,  b.  Aug.  0, 1681,  m.  Moses  Spenyi  ^so* 

1,  1706;  liLMosea,  settled  in  Waterbury. 

4.  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel,  (2,)  settled  at  West  Haven,  m.  Nov.  20, 
1684,  Sarah  Kimberly,  and  removed  to  Woodbury.  The  first  six  of 
his  ch.  were  bap.  at  "Woodbury,  Aug.  1697.  Tlie  births  of  his  ch.  re- 
corded at  New  Haven  are  as  follows  :  I.  Samuel,  b.  Jan.  28, 1685,  settled 
in  W^oodbury,  (Roxbury  soc.;)  II.  Miriam,  b.  May  2,  1G88;  III.  Jona- 
than, b.  Jan.  6,  1600-91 ;  IV.  Sarah,  b.  Sept.  1692  ;  V.  Anna,  b.  Pec. 

2,  1604  ;  VI.  Mary,  b.  Sept.  6,  1696;  VII.  James,  b.  April  27,  1699, 
settled  in  Waterbury;  VIII.  Mehitable,  b.  Aug. 81,  1702;  TX.  Till/, 
b.  March  1 8,  1705,  settled  in  Woodbury,  (Roxbory  soc.)  He  m.  H«y 
Brown  of  New  Uaveo,  Feb.  7,  1728-9. 

*  ThU  name,  on  the  earljr  records,  U  written  lo  twenty-five  or  more  differtot  wuj*.  ItkB** 
gtDcraUjr  ipdMi  M  akwib 

t  T)>cre  Is  11  trR<nt!on  among  his  descendants,  that  two  brothers  of  the  name  of  Blakf*lf« 
MOM  from  the  west  of  Kngland,  designing  to  setUe  in  the  Plrmootb  Colony,  and  that  one  of 
tb«m  dM  OB  Um  pMMg*.  Th*  other  caow  to  PlyBMitk,wfa«nh«4ted  In  tlM«Mlj  days  «f<M 
Colony,  leaving  one  son,  who  was  placed  with  a  blacksmith  In  New  Haven,  Conn.,  to  learn  tfce 
Irade.  It  la  alio  atierted  that  the  brothers  brought  an  aavU  with  them,  and  that  It  «a*  KM 
btti  a  tav  yean  alaeo  la  Roitaiyi  Oooo. 


Digitized  by  Googie 


APFBMDIZ. 


407 


5.  Ebbnbzbih  ion  of  Sama«),  (2J  d.  Sept  24, 1725.  His  ch.  were : 
I.  Ebeneser  and  IL  Hannah,  (twins,)  b.  Feb.  4, 1685 ;  IIL  Susannah,  b. 
May  21,  1689;  IV.  Gnuse,b.Jan.  1, 1668-4,  m.  Ebeneser  Humber- 
aton,  Oct.  18, 1718 ;  V.  Abraham,  b.  Bee.  15, 1695 ;  VL  Isaac,  b.  July 
21,  1708. 

6.  Deacon  Mosaa,  son  of  John,  (3,)  m.  Sarah  Benton  of  Hartford, 
Jan.  1, 1702.  He  removed  to  Waterbnry  about  1789,  and  settled  on 
land  prevumsly  (about  1722)  bud  out  to  him,  on  what  is  now  called 
Town  Hill,  in  the  east  part  of  the  present  town  of  Plymouth.  His 
house  stood  near  the  residence  of  the  hite  Oliver  Stooghton.  He  was 
appointed  deacon  of  the  church  at  the  time  of  its  organization  in  1740, 
in  which  he  was  an  active  and  influential  member,  as  he  also  was  in  the 
aodety  and  town.  His  ch.  as  recorded  at  New  Haven  were :  I.  Moses, 
b.  Sept  2,  1702,  d.  1728;  IL  Aaron,  b.  April  25,  1704,  d.  young; 
m.  Abner,  b.  Jan.  25, 1705,  d.  1726 ;  IV.  Sarah,  b.  March  81, 1708; 
V.  Jesse,  b.  llarch  80, 1710,  had  a  fiunily  in  New  Haven ;  VL  Dinah,  b. 
Jan.  21, 1711-12 ;  VH.  Jots  b.  Dec.  8, 1718 ;  VHL  Job^Dec  18, 1714; 

IX.  Aaron,  Feb.  18, 1716-17,  remained  at  New  Haven,  had  a  family; 

X.  Hannah,  b.  Maidi  25, 1718-19 ;  XL^hebe,  b.  Marsh  12, 1721-2,  m. 
Henry  Cook,  Aug.30,1744;  XILJohn,  b.Dec.  15, 1728,  settled  in  Water- 
bttiy,  Northbury  soc.;  XHL  Marah,  b.  Jan.  29, 1726-27,  m.  Benjamin 
XJpeoD,May  80,  1748;  XIV.  Moses,  b.  Jan.  25,  1728-29,  settled  in 
Waterbury. 

7.  Jambs,  son  of  Samuel,  (4,)  settled  in  Waterbury,  m.  Thankful, 
dau.  of  Seigt.  Stephen  Upson  of  Waterbury,  Sept  15,  1724,  and  d. 
Jan.  12, 1784.  His  ch.  were:  I.  Reuben,  b.  Jan.  18,  1726,  m.  Rhoda 

 ^  and  d.  Jan.  4, 1818.  Ch. :  Reuben,  b.  1768 ;  Mehitable^  b.  1765 ; 

Lonis  Anna,b.  1768;  Rhoda,  b.  1771 ;  Samuel,  b.  1778;  Jamea,  b. 
1775,  and  Oriswold,  b.  1777.  IL  Tilly,  b.  June  10,  1728,  and  had  Ar. 
chtbald,  b.  1752,  and  Thankful,  b.  1765.  IIL  MehiUble,  b.  Aug.  12, 
1782.  IV.  James,  K  Feb.  5, 1785. 

8.  JoBV,  son  of  Moses,  (6,)  settled  near  his  fiither,  m.  Olive,  dan.  of 
Samuel  Curtis,  March  14, 1745.  Ch. :  L  John,  b.  March  8, 1746 ;  H. 
Amasa,  b.  Jan.  15,  1748,  m.  Esther  Barker,  and  had  Miles,  b.  1772, 
Lyman,  b.  1774,  Eneas,  b.  1776.  He  settled  in  Plymouth.  IIL  Joel, 
b.  Aug.  19, 1750,  m.  and  settled  in  Plymouth.  He  had  Linus,  Ran- 
som, Betsey,  Erastus  and  Amanda;  all  dead  except  Ransom  and  Bet- 
sey. IV.  EiMM,  b.  July  12,  1752;  V.  Obed,  b.  Aug.  29,  1754;  VL 
Olive, b.  March  29, 1758,  m.  Elnathan  Ives;  VH.  Lettis,  b.  1760,  d. 
1761 ;  Vm.  Lettis,  b.  May  27, 1768,  m.  Ira  Pond;  IX.  Jared,  b.  July 
8, 1765.  He  is  living  and  has  a  fiunily  in  Plymouth ;  X  Sally,  b.  Aug- 
20,  1768,  m.  Stephen  Seymour ;  XL  Curtis,  b.  Feb.  16,  1770,  d.  young 


Digitized  by  Google 


468 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATEBBDBY* 


9.  Moses,  son  of  Moses,  (0,)  in.  Dec.  24,  1753,  Uannab  Dunbar  of 
Wallingford,  and  had  :  I.  Asa,  b.  Sept.  30,  1754 ;  II.  Caleb,  b.  Ocl.  22, 
1756,  d.  1767 ;  III.  A  daughter,  b.  April  1,  1768 ;  IV.  Moaea,  b.  U»j 
12,  1760. 

10.  I  have  not  been  able  to  find  the  oonnection  of  the  following  with 
the  preceding.  I  presume,  however,  they  are  descended  from  Samuel, 
(2.)  Capt  Thomas  B.,  son  of  Ebeneser  of  New  llaven,  settled  in  Wa- 
terbury.  His  first  four  ch.  are  recorded  at  New  Haven,  the  others  at 
Waterbury.  He  was  the  first  captain  in  Northbury  socif  ty.  He  d. 
Jan.  2,  1778,  and  his  wi.l.  Mary  d.  April,  1792.  Ch. :  I.  David,  bw 
Nov.  2,  1722  ;  II.  Reuben,  b.  March  9,  1724-5;  III.  Moses,  b.  June 
80,  1727  ;  IV.  Mary,  b.  SepU  7,  1729,  d.  ITaO;  V.  Submit,  b.  1731,  d. 
1760  ;  VI.  Experience,  b.  Jan.  3, 1734-5 ;  VII.  Lydia,  July  6,  1737,  ra. 
Stephen  Blakeslee,  Jan.  1767;  VIIL  Esther,  b.  Aug,  6,  1789;  IX. 
Abigail,  b.  Dec.  22, 1741. 

11.  David,  son  of  Capt.  Thoma^  (10,)  m.  Nov.  29,  1743,  Phebe 
Todd  of  New  Haven,  who  d.  Oct  4,  1744.  He  m.  2d,  Abigail,  dan.  of 
Jonathan  How,  May  18,  1752,  who  d.  May  6, 1799.  Ch. :  L  Thoma^ 
b.  Sept.  17,  1744,  m.  Lydia  Bradley,  Aug.  14,  1764,  and  had  Asenetli, 
b.  March  28,  1765;  Bethiah,  b.  March  30,  1767;  Chloe,  b.  Feb.  13, 
1769 ;  Mabel,  b.  March  31,  1771 ;  II.  EU,  b.  Maxvh  22, 1753^  m.  L.  Cniw 
tis,  Oct  81,  1773,  and  had  Prue^  b.  June  25,  1775,  and  Orpha,  b.  Nov- 
3,  1776  ;  HI.  Asa,  b.  May  28, 1766 ;  IV.  Thebe^  b.  June  14, 1758  ;  V. 
Ede,  b.  Oct  21, 1760,  d.  1771 ;  VI.  Bede,  b.  Nov.  9,  1762;  VU.  Adoa, 
b.  Jan.  81, 1766;  VUL  David,  b.  July  22,  1771. 

12.  HsuBBN,  son  of  Capt  Thomas,  (10,)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Barnabas 
Ford,  Sept  19,  1748.  Ch.:  1.  Rath,  b.  Feb.  4,  1749;  II.  Submit,  b. 
Feb.  14,  1751;  III,  Silas,  b.  Nov.  30,  1752;  IV.  Enos.  b.  May  II, 
1765;  V.  Lois,  b.  Oct  30, 1757  ;  VI.  Eunice,  b.  Feb.  14,  1760. 

18.  Mo8B8,Bon  of  Capt.  Thomas,  (10,)  ra.  Nov.  17,  1746,  Mdiitable, 
dau.  of  Gideon  Allen.  Ch. :  I.  llezekiah,  b.  Jan  27,  1748 ;  IL  Keziah, 
b..Sept  20, 1749,  d.  in  1755;  III.  Amos,  b.  Jan.  10, 1762,  d.  1755 ; 
IV.  Maiy,  b.  Feb.  20,  1754  ;  V.  Keziah,  b.  May  21,  1766 ;  VI.  Rachel, 
March  81,  1758  ;  VII.  Vodice,  b.  July  4, 1760,  d.  1760;  VIIL  Vodice, 
b.  Sept  8, 1701 ;  IX.  Amo^  b.  Nov.  26, 1768 ;  X.  Zuar,  b.  Feb.  1766; 
XL  Graoe,  b.  July  21, 1768. 

14.  Jacob  Blakeblbb  had  the  following  ch.,  four  of  whom  are  re- 
corded at  New  Haven.  He  removed  to  Waterbury,  where  his  two 
last  ch.  are  recorded.  He  d.  March  25,  1767.  Ch.:  L  Abner,  b.  May 
16, 1731 ;  IL  Anna,  b.  Oct.  6,  1733  ;  IIL  Gad,  b.  Dec  18,  1785  ;  lY. 
Asher,  b.  May  28, 1788 ;  V.  Noah,  b.  Dec.  18, 1740 ;  VL  Sarah,  b.  Aug. 
19,  1748. 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX, 


469 


15.  Abnkr,  ion  of  Jacob,  (14,)  m.  Tbanlcfol,  dau.  of  Samuel  Peck, 
Sept  25, 1755,  and  had :  L  Samuel,  b.  Nor.  22, 1756;  IL  Jacob,  b. 
Sept.  14, 1758;  III.  A  son,  b.  Sept  4,  1761,  d.  young;  lY.  Clement, 
b.  June  80, 1763 ;  V.  Micajah,  b.  April  22,  1766 ;  YL  Ziba,  b.  July  9, 
1768 ;  VIL  Abner,  b.  May  21, 1771. 

16.  AsBSB,  son  of  Jacob,  (14,)  m.  Oct  26,  1762,  Mary,  dau.  of  John 
Humaston  of  latchfield,  and  d.  May  3, 1814.  Cb. :  I.  Selah,  b.  Jan.  80, 
1764;  n.  Salmon, b.  Jan.  80, 1766 ;  III.  Anna,  b.  Nov.  15, 1767;  TV. 
Oad,  b.  Jan.  10, 1770 ;  Y.  Asher,  b.  Nor.  17, 1771. 

BRONSON. 

1.  JoHK  BRonow  of  Hartfofd  and  Farmigton,  had  dh.:  Jacob,  John, 
Isaac,  Abraham,  Maty,  Dorcas  and  Sarah.   (See  p.  187.) 

2.  Jacob,  son  of  John,  (l,)had  Samuel,  Jacobs  of  Eensingion,  Roger, 
of  New  Milford,  Isaac,  of  Lyme,  Elizabeth  and  Rebecca. 

8.  John,  son  of  John,  (1,)  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Waterbury. 
Cb. :  John,  Sarah,  Dorothy,  Ebenezer,  William,  Moses  and  Grace.  (See 
p.  188.) 

4.  Seij.  Isaac,  son  of  John,  (1,)  bad,  L  Isaac;  U.  John;  HI.  Samuel; 
lY.  Mary;  Y.  Joseph;  YL  Thomas;  YIL  Ebenezer;  Ym.  Sarah; 
IX.  Mercy.   (See  p.  140,  and  Cothren*s  Woodbury,  p.  505.) 

5.  M08B8,  son  of  John,  (3,)  had  ch. :  L  Eunice,  b.  Dec.  28, 1714,  m. 
Bliakim  Welton ;  IL  Sarah,  b.  Sept  2, 1717,  m.  John  Warner;  III.  Nar 

than,  b.  Sept  5,  1 7 1 9,  m.  Williams,  went  to  Alford ;  lY.  Martha,  h, 

June  14. 1721,  m.  Hill ;  Y.  Elnathan,  b.  Oct  2, 1728,  m.  Rachel 

Hill ;  YL  Charity,  and  YIL  Commfort,  twins,  b.  Mar.  29, 1726.  Comfort, 

m.  Martin ;  YIIL  EBther,  b.  Feb.  6, 1728,  m.  Pedc ;  IX.  Jem- 

sha,  b.  Feb.  9, 1780,  m.  Thomas  Williams ;  X.  Jemima,  b.  May  25, 1782 ; 
XI.  William,  b.  May  30,  1734,  went  to  Alford,  Mass;  XIL  Moees,  b. 
June  19, 1786 ;  XIII.  Naomi,  b.  March  28, 1789,  m.  Jonathan  Hughes. 

6.  Isaac,  son  of  Isaac,  (4,)  had  ch.:  1.  Jerusha,  b.  Not.  8,  1708,  m. 
Paul  Welch  of  New  Milford ;  IL  Isaac,  b.  Mar.  29,  1707 ;  IIL  Anna,  b. 
Aug.  23,  1709,  m.  1st,  Daniel  How,  2d,  Isaac  Tuttle;  lY.  Josiah,  b. 
June,  1718 ;  Y.  Mary,  b.  May  29,  1716,  m.  James  Hine  of  New  lifil- 
fold;  YL  Nathan,  b.  May,  1719,  d.  1722;  YIL  James,  b.  Oct  27, 
1721,  d.  1725;  YIIL  Patience,  b.  April  14,  1725;  IX.  James,  b. 
Oct  22, 1727. 

7.  Lt  JoBH,  son  of  Isaac,  (4,)  had  ch. :  1.  Maiy,  b.  April  9, 1698,  m. 
1st,  Samuel  Porter,  2d,  John  Barnes,  and  d.  1774 ;  IL  John,b.  April  28, 
1701 ;  in.  Hannah,  b.  Oct.  18, 1704,  m.  Nathan  Gaylord,  lived  in  New 
liGlford;  lY.  Jemima,  b.  Aug.  27,  1706,  m.  Stephen  Hopkins;  Y. 


Digitized  by  Google 


470 


EIBTOBY  OF  WATKHBUKT. 


Joseph,  b.  JulylS,  1709;  VI.  Benjamin,  b.  Oct  2,  17 11  ;  VII.  Taraer, 
b.  March  14,  1730,  m.  Joseph  Nichols  ;  VIII.  Ezra,  b.  April  24, 1732; 
IX.  Phebe,  b.  March  28,  1734,  m.  Natlianiel  Ridiardson. 

8.  Lt.  Thomas,  son  of  Isaac,  (4,)  had  ch.:  1.  Thomas,  b.  Jan.  5,  1710- 
11;  II.  Stephen,  h.  \ov.  25,  1712,  d.  Dec.  30,  1712;  III.  Elizabelh, 
b.  April  8, 1714,  <L  1715;  IV.  Elizabeth, b. April  24, 17l6,]ii.  Ebenenr 
Warner.  j 

9.  Ehf.sezkr,  son  of  Isaac,  (4,)  had  ch. :  I.  Susanna,  L.  Ap.  29, 1718, 
m.  William  Adaras;  II.  Andrew,  b.  Nov.  23,  1720;  III.  Mary,  b.  Cki 
1723,  m.  Jonathan  Bal<lwiii  and  d.  May  17, 1821  ;  IV.  Samuel,  b.  Mar. 
16,  1726,  d.  1726 ;  V.  Ebenezer,  b.  Oct.  9,  1730,  d.  1730  ;  VL  Thank- 
ful, b.  Oct.  15,  1783,  d.  1750 ;  VII.  Ebenezer,  b.  Feb.  1,  1738. 

10.  Elnathan',  son  of  Moses,  (5,)  m.  wid.  Rachel  HiU  of  New  Fair-  j 
field,  Dec  26,  1744.    He  had  ch. :  T.  Jeaae,  b.  Sept  11,  1745 ;  II.  Es- 
ther, b.  Sept.  22,  1747  ;  III.  Jerusha,b.  Jan.  15, 1749-50;  IV.  Hannah, 

b.  Feb.  29,  1751-2  ;  V.  Joaeph,  b.  Dec.  3,  1753. 

1 1 .  Nathan,  son  of  Moses,  (5,)  m.  Obedience,  dau.  of  Thomas  Wil- 
liams, Feb.  22,  1749-50.  She  d.  March  13,  l75S,  and  he  m.  2d,  wid. 
Abigail  Lewis,  June  20,  17G»,  who  d.  Nov.  17,  1800,  Cb.:  I.  Beoben, 
b.  Nov.  28,  1750 ;  II.  a  dau.  b.  Feb.  17,  1753. 

12.  Isaac,  son  of  Isaac,  (6,)  m.  Eunice,  dau.  of  Thomas  Richards, 
July  8,  1734,  who  d.  Sept.  6,  1749,  and  he  m.  Abigail,  wid.  of  Caleb 
Munson,  Nov.  22,  1750,  and  d.  Dec.  7, 1799,  a.  93.  His  ch.  were,  I.  Lw, 
b.  Jan.  26,  1735,  m.  Isaac  Prichard  of  Waterbuiy,  d.  1824;  IL  laaac, 

b.  Oct.  2,  1730  ;  III.  Hannah,  b.  Jan.  81,  1738-D,  m.  Timothy  Garl;  I 
d.  1815;  IV.  Lydia,  b.  June  29,  1741,  d.  Sept  1740;  V.  Hi,  b.  June 
30,  1743  ;  VI.  Paiience,  b.  Dec.  12,  1746,  d.  Sep.  6, 1740 ;  VIL  Seth, 
b.  Dec.  7,  174R  ;  VIII.  Titus,  b.  Oct  15, 1751 ;  IX.  Abigail,  b.  Ang. 
12,  1753,  m.  Ambroee  Hickoz. 

13.  Lt.  Josiaii,  son  of  Isaac,  (6,)  m.  Dinah,  dau.  of  John  BatM^  Joly 
23, 1785.  She  d.  Sept.  10,  1736,  and  he  m.  Sanh,  wid.  of  Darid 
Leavenworth  of  Woodbury,  May  15,  1740,  who  d.  Aug.  28,  1767,  and 
he  m.  3d,  Rebecca,  wid.  of  Moses  Hurlbut  of  Woodbury,  Dee.  28, 1767. 
Shed.  June  6,  1797,  and  he  m.  4th,  wid.  Huldah  Williams,  June  12, 
1798.  He  was  bom  at  Breakneck.  Blest  by  nature  with  a  robost 
constitution,  a  cheerful,  buoyant  spirit  and  an  iron  will,  he  was  emi- 
nently fitted  to  gra]^plc  with  the  many  difiioulties  incident  to  the  tioM 
in  which  he  lived.  He  was  shrewd,  calculating  and  social  |  became  a 
lieutenant,  secured  wealth,  aud  obtained  an  honorable  poation  in  soci' 
ety.  With  less  of  the  puritan  strictness  which  chametwised  most  men 
of  his  day,  he  was  a  professor  of  religion,  and  died,  at  a  good  old 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


471 


age,  Feb.  20, 1804.  His  ch.  were,  I.  Liioy,  b.  Sept  10,  1780,  m. 
James  Porter  of  Middlebniy ;  II.  David,  b.  Jane  25,  1741 ;  IIL  Abel, 
b.  May  80, 1748,  a  pbysician;  IV.  Znba,  b.  April  28, 1746,  m.  Abner 
Hamon;  V.  Raben,  b.  Jane  5, 1747 ;  YI.  Tbsddeiit,  b.  July  22, 1749 ; 
VIL  Josiab,  b.  Feb.  1, 1751-2;  VUL  Elijah,  b.  May  15, 1755. 

14.  Javis,  son  of  Isaac,  (6,)  m.  Sarah,  dan.  of  Josiah  Brocket  of 
WalUngfonl,  Aug.  22,  1750.  Gh. :  I.  Boswell,  b.  Sept  9, 1751 ;  11. 
Sarah,  b.  Jan.  5,  1754,  m.  John  Adams;  IIL  Levi,  b.  June  12,  1757 ; 
IV,  Asahel,  b.  Nor.  28,  1759;  V.  ThankfiU,  b.  Mar.  5,  1762,  m.  Amos 
Hinmau ;  VL  Jesse,  b.  July  1, 1768. 

15.  John,  son  of  John,  (7,)  m.  Comfort,  dau.  of  William  Baldwin  of 
Stratford,  March  28, 1728.  He  lived  at  Jerioo^  on  the  Naogatucfc,  in 
Northbnry,  till  1759,  when  he  temoved  to  Nine  PartnerB,  N.  Y.,  and  be- 
came a  Baptist  deacon.  Gh.:  L  Rhode,  b.  March  80, 1729,  m.  Joshua 
Graires;  IL  Amos,  b.  Feb.  8,  1780-1 ;  IIL  Hannah,  b.  March  6, 1784, 
m.  David  Foot;  IV.  Thankful,  b.  Sept  6,  1786,  m.  Moses  Foot  of 
Waterbury,  Aug.  12,  1756,  d.  Sept.  5, 1757 ;  V.  Maiy,  b.  Feb.  25, 
1738-9,  m.  Aaron  Foot  of  Harwinton  and  Sheffield,  d.  Feb.  10, 
1824;  VL  John,  b.  Dec  22,  1742;  VIL  Ghloe,  b.  Dec.  29,  1745, 
m.  Col.  Barker  of  Nine  PaKneis,  N.  Y. 

16.  Joseph,  son  of  John,  (7,)  m.  Anna,  dau.of  Rer.  John  Southmayd, 
June  1,  1782.  She  d.  Aug.  12, 1749,  and  he  m.  2d,  Mary,  dau.  of 
Lt  Gershom  Fnlford,  May  2, 1750,  and  d.  Sept  19, 1771.  Ch. :  L  Me- 
liscent,  b.  Dee.  24,  1784,  d.  1785 ;  IL  Eldsd,  b.  July  1, 1786,  d.  1749 ; 
IIL  Desire,  h,  July  9,  1788,  m.  Jonathan  Quernsey ;  IV.  Seba,  b.  Sept 
23, 1740 ;  V.  Anne,  b.  Bfay  22, 1751,  m.  Herman  Munson ;  VL  Bels, 
b.  May  7,  1767.  I  find  in  addition  to  the  preceding  the  births  of  no 
leas  than  six  still  bom  children  on  record. 

17.  Bbvjamim,  son  of  John,  (7,)  m.  Lois,  dau.  of  Thomas  Richards, 
March  14, 1788,  and  d.  Nov.  16,  1745.  His  wid.  m.  Silas  Hotchkias. 
Ch.:  L  Hranah,  b.Nov.  16, 1788,  d.  same  month ; IL  Ruth,  b.  Sept  80, 
1789,  m.  Samuel  Scovill;  IIL  Chloe,  b.  Dec.  2,  1741,  d.  1742;  IV. 
Samuel,  b.  Dec  10,  1742 ;  V.  Benjamin,  b.  May  8,  1746,  d.  Dec  22, 
1765. 

18.  Capt  Ezra,  son  of  John,  (7.)  He  was  one  of  the  honored  men 
of  his  time ;  was  town  dark,  town  treararer,  a  representative  to  the  As- 
sembly, a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  commisiary  in  the  Revolution.  He 
m.  Susanna,  dau.  of  Thomas  Judd,  Sep.  6, 1758,  and  d.  Sept  1,  1795. 
She  d.  Oct  18,  1828,  aged  90.  Gh. :  L  Lt  Michael,  b.  Mai^h  25, 1754 ; 
II.  Hannah,  b.  March  26,  1757,  m.  Wm.  Leavenworth ;  III.  Mark,  b. 
Aug.  4,  1762 ;  IV.  Susanna,  b.  March  6, 1766,  m.  Stephen  Welton ;  V. 


Digitized  by  Google 


473 


mffrOBT  OF  WATESBCBT. 


Anne,  b.  Dec.  20,  ITTO,  m.  Joseph  Cook;  YL  Melisceoti  K  Jum 27, 
1773,  m.  William  Durand. 

19.  Thomas,  Esq.,  son  of  Lt.  Thomas,  ^8,)  m.  Susanna,  dau.  of  Bef. 
John  Southinay.l,  Sept.  25,  1T34.  She  d.  Aug.  13, 1741.  lie  then  m. 
Anna,  dau.  of  Stephen  Uopkins,  Esq.,  Jan.  9,  1746,  aud  d.  June  25, 
1760.  Ch.:  I.  Stephen,  b.  June  30,  1735;  II.  Susanna,  b.  Dec.  7, 
1736,  m.  Rev.  Elijah  Sill;  III.  Daniel,  b.  March  8,  1739  ;  IV.  Samuel, 
b.  June  21,  1741,  d.  1741  ;  V.  David,  b.  Sept.  25,  1748,  d.  1750;  VI. 
Thomas,  b.  March  10,  1751;  VII.  Anne,  b.  Sept.  28,  1752,  m.  Joseph 
Upson ;  MIL  Elizabeth,  b.  Oct  80, 1765 ;  iX.  Ruth,  b.  Feb.  23, 1759. 
m.  Dr.  Jesse  Upson. 

20.  Dea.  Andrew,  son  of  Ebcnezer,  (9,)  m.  Mary,  dan.  of  Lt,  John 
Scovill,  Feb.  9, 1745-6,  and  d.  Dec  1799.  Ch.:  I.  Amasn,  b.  June 8, 
1746,  d.  1752;  IL Esther,  b.  Jan.  21,  1747-8,  m.  Daniel  Bronson,in 
1770;  III.  AiTiasa,  b.  April  1,  1750,  d.  1753  ;  IV.  Mary,  b.  April  23, 
1752  ;  V.  Thankful,  b.  Aug  27,  1756;  VI.  Lucy,  b.  June  27,  1760,  m. 
Samuel  Porter;  VIL  Samuel,  b.  Nov.  1,  1762;  VIII.  Sylvia,  KNor. 
20,  1764;  IX.  Andrew. 

21.  Ebrnezer,  son  of  Ebenezer,  (9,)  m.  Miriam,  dau.  of  Kidiard 
Nichols,  April  7,  1 763,  and  d.  May  6, 1808.    His  wife  d.  July  12,  nU.  i 
Ch. :  L  Joseph,  b.  March  1,  1764  ;  IL  Amzi,  b.  April  18,  1765 ;  111. 
Sarah,  b.  Nov.  27,  1766,  d.  1767 ;  IV.  Sarah,  b.  Dec.  16,  1767;  V.  I 
Susan,  b.  May  7,  1769,  d.  1782 ;  VL  Ebenezer,  b.  Nov.  14,  1771,  in. 
and  had  five  or  &i.\  ch.,  and  d.  July,  1840,  in  the  State  of  New  York; 
VII.  Harvey,  b.  Feb.  21,  1774 ;  VUI.  Clariaea,  d.  Aug.  26,  1778 ;  IX.  ^ 
Clarinda;  X.  Isaac  The  last  three  were  b.  April  18,  1778;  XL 
Susa,  b.  Feb.  14,  1784. 

22.  Capt.  Isaac,  son  of  Isaac,  (12.)  He  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Joa*^ 
Brocket  of  Wallingford,  Feb.  18, 1756,  and  d.  April  16, 1826,  aged  90. 
His  wife  d.  Aug.  1, 1816.  Ch. :  I.  Eunice^  b.  Dec 4, 1756, d. in  1775; 
IL  Mary,  b.  Sept  16, 1767,  m.  EblemHill,  rappoeed  to  be  living  in  Aib- 
tabula  Co.,  Ohio,  at  this  time;  IIL  Isaac,  b.  March  10, 1760,  (seep. 
870 ;)  IV.  Laban,  b.  Feb.  14,  1762,  d.  1801 ;  Y.  Ethel,  b.  Jnly  22, 176S, 
(see  p.  874 ;)  VL  Ohauneey,  b.  Dec.  81,  1767,  d.  1788 ;  YIL  HaoBib  K 
May,  1769,  ui.  Eli  Hine,  Oct  80,  1792;  VIH.  Sarah,  b.  March  21t 
1776;  IX.  Virtue,  b.  March  22,  1778,  m.  Nancy  Carrington,  d.  1S15 

or  1816,  in  Ontario  Co.,N.  Y.  ' 

28.  Eli,  son  of  Isaac,  (12,)  m.  MehiuUe,  dau.  of  Capt  EnosAt- 
water  of  Wallingford,  March  4, 1778,  and  d.  Sept  80, 1816.  Ch.:  L 
Enos,  b.  March  81, 1774,  (see  p.  384.)  n.  Mebitab]e,b.Nov.  29, 1776,  d. 
1777 ;  IIL  MehiUble,  b.  May  7,  1778,  m.  Eli  Thoropaon ;  IV.  Diantb, 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


473 


b.  April  1 1,  1780,  in.  Amos  Curtifs  ;  Y.  Capt.  Philo,  b.  May  15,  1782,  m. 
Chloe,  (Jau.  of  Major  Samuel  lirouson.  He  was  a  deacon,  a  frequent 
representative  to  tLe  Legislature,  and  most  excellent  man,  and  d.  at 
Geneva,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  29,  1855  ;  VT.  A  son,  b.  Oct.  31,  1784,  d.  young. 

24.  Dea.  Seth,  son  of  Isaac,  (12,)  m.  ndoo,  dan.  of  George  Prieh- 
ard,  Nov.  27,  1770,  and  d.  Oct  11,  1828.    His  wid.  d.  Jan.  IG,  1805. 

Ch. :  I.  Anna,  b.  Jan.  19, 1773,  m.  Kelsey  of  Jefferson  Co.,  N.  Y. ; 

II.  Chloe,  b.  Dec.  28.  1777,  m.  David  Tyler  of  Middlebury,  went  to  Kut- 
land,  N.  Y.,  and  still  lives  ;  III.  Jonas,  b.  Sept.  25,  1779,  m.  Melinda 
Baldwin,  is  deacon  of  a  Congregational  church,  and  now  lives  in  liut- 
land,  J.'fferson  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  IV.  Marcus,  b.  Sept.  8,  1 781,  m.  Rebecca 
Thompson,  and  is  now  living  in  Middlebury  ;  V.  Asa.  (?) 

25.  Titus,  son  of  Isaac,  (12,)  m.  llannah,  dau.  of  Moses  Cook,  Feb. 

II,  1779.  Ch. :  I.  Jairus,  b.  Dec  9,  1779,  m.  Irene  Mallory  of  Wood- 
bury, Jan.  1 1,  1804,  is  now  living  in  Talmadire,  Ohio.  Ch.  :  Charles  C, 
Butler,  Zuria,  Bennet,  Maria,  Cornelia  and  Harriet.  II.  Horace,  b.  Ftb. 
15,  1782,  m.  Charry  Thompson,  is  now  living  in  Middlebury.  Ch. : 
Alfred  H.,  Horace  C,  John  T.,  Eliza,  Mary,  Caroline,  Sarah  and  Joseph. 

III.  Augustus,  b.  June  24,  1784,  m.  Nancy  Bradley,  d.  in  Ohio,  Ib-iS  ; 
rV.  Esther,  b.  Oct.  19,  1786,  m.  John  Iline,  is  a  widow,  lives  in  New 
Haven.  Ch.:  Harriet  and  Mary.  V.  Titus,  b.  Nov.  27,  1788,  m.  Sally 
liichardson,  <J.  in  1853.  lie  was  a  pioneer  settler  at  Ann  Arbor  and 
Kalamazoo,  Mich.,  and  Davenport,  Iowa,  d.  Jan.  1853,  wliile  on  a  visit 
to  his  native  place,  Middlebun,'.  VI.  Hannah,  b.  April  18,  1791,  d.  in 
1851.  VII.  Sally,  b.  Sept.  13,  1794,  m.  A.  Ik-nhain,  and  is  now  living  in 
Middlebury ;  Ch. :  William,  John,  Eno.«,  Sarah  and  Franklin.  VHI.  Leon- 
ard, b.  June  24,  1797,  m.  Nancy  Richardson,  wid.  of  M.  IMatt.  Ch. : 
Julia  Maria,  b.  Jan.  12,  1820,  d.  Sept.  1841,  Geo.  P.,  b.  Jan.  21,  1821, 
Catharine,  d.  young,  Isaac  K.,  b.  May  22,  1826,  and  Edward  L. 

20.  David,  son  of  Lt.  Josiah,  (13,)  m.  Anna,  dau,  of  Daniel  Porter, 
March  1,  1772,  and  d.  July  23,1799.    His  wid.  d.  Nov.  16,  1814.    Ch. : 

I.  Hannah,  b.  Nov.  10,  1774,  m.  E.  Stone ;  IL  David,  b.  Feb.  3,  1777  j 
III.  Anna,  b.  Nov.  3,  1778,  m.  Zerah  Brown. 

27.  Doct,  Abel,  son  of  Lt.  Josiah,  (13,)  m.  Lydia  Benham,  Dec.  15, 
17C8,  whod.  June  G,  1782.    He  m.  2d,  Esther  Hawkins,  Oct.  24, 
*1784,  and  d.  Aug.  2,  1805.    Ch. :  I.  Sarah,  b.  June  2,  1871,  d.  young; 

II.  Abel, b.  Oct.  1 , 1 775 ;  HI.  A  son,  b.  Feb.  2, 1 786,  d.  next  day  ;  IV.  Lydia, 
1).  March  21,  1787,  m.  Col.  E.  Judd  ;  Y.  Elvira,  b.  Aug.  1789,  m.  Joseph 
Hall ;  VL  Sarah, b.  April  1,  1791,  m.  Eben  Abbott;  VH.Josej.h  Perrj-, 
b.  Sept.  25,  1794,  is  living  in  Watertown;  VUL  Homer,  b.  March  20, 
1796,  now  living  in  f^remont,  Mass. 


Digitized  by  Google 


474  HI8T0BT  OF  WATEBBUB7. 

28.  IlEunEN,  son  of  Lt.  Josiah,  (13.)  m.  Jemima,  dau.  of  Lt  Samuel 
Porter,  Nov.  1,  1770.  Ch.:  I.  Edmund,  b.  July,  1772,  d.  1774;  VL 
Samuel,  b.  Sept.  1774. 

29.  TuADDEUs,  son  of  Lt.  Josiah,  (13,)  m.  Abigail  Wilmot,  Dec.  10, 
1772,  who  d.  May  25,  1793,  and  he  m.  2d,  Anne  Ilitchcock,  Jan.  5, 
1794,  and  d.  March  2,  1825.  Ch. :  I.  Abigail,  b.  June  1,  1773,  m.  D. 
Prichard  ;  II.  Uri,  b.  May  30,  1778,  m.  Anna  Atwood,  Dec.  5,  1700  ;  III. 
Olive,  b.  March  17,  1779,  m.  David  Ilowe;  IV.  Lucy,  b.  March  21, 1781,m. 
Amasa  Gay  lord  ;  V.  Jerusha,  b.  May  21,  1784,  m.  Sliorman  Curtis ;  VI. 
Jared,  b.  June  18, 1791,  lives  in  Middlebury;  VIL  Eutb,  b.  May  17,1793, 
m.  Stephen  Atwood  of  Woodbury. 

30.  Josiah,  son  of  Lt.  Josiah,  (13,)  m.  Tabitha,  dau.  of  Ezekiel  Tut- 
tle,  Jan.  20,  1780.  Ch.:  L  Truman,  b.  Jan.  1781,  d.  in  Ohio;  IL 
Alvin,b.May  19,  1783,  (see  p.  450  ;)  III.  Josiah,  b.  Sep.  19,  1786,  lives  at 
Onondaga,  N.  Y. ;  IV.  Edward,  \h  Sep.  1, 1 789, resides  at  ClevdaiMl,Obio; 
V.  Nancy,  b.  Feb.  27,  1793,  livos  at  Onondaga,  N.  Y. 

31.  Elijah,  son  of  Lt.  Josiah,  (13,)  m.  Lois,  dau.  of  Stephen  Bun- 
nell of  WaUingford,  March  10,  1778.  Ch. :  I.  Giles,  b.  Feb.  13,  17S0. 
d.  leaving  one  son  and  two  daus. ;  II.  Irene,  b,May  28, 1 782,  m.  Rofwell 
Hull  of  Killingworth,  resides  there,  has  four  sons,  and  two  daus. ;  III. 
Sabra,  b.  March  9,  l784,m.  Jonathan  Blake  of  Winchester,  resides  there, 
has  one  son  and  two  daus. ;  IV.  Selah,  b.  Feb.  2G,  1786,  d.  at  Oswegc^ 
N.  Yn  had  one  son  and  one  dau.;  V.  Silas,  b.  Feb.  16,  1788,  re-ides  in 
the  city  of  New  York.  His  father  (a  Middlebury  fanner)  having  a 
large  family,  it  became  neeeaaaiy  for  the  children,  at  an  early  age,  to 
look  out  for  their  own  support.  Silas  had  only  a  limited  codudod 
school  education,  and  for  four  years  followed  the  trade  of  a  carpenter 
and  joiner.  Not  satisfied  with  his  future  prospects,  he  resolved  to  try 
his  fortune  in  the  State  of  Geoi^ia,  where  he  followed  the  mercantile 
business  for  fifteen  years.  In  the  year  1830,  he  removed  to  the  city  of 
New  York,  and  commenced  the  business  of  an  importing  and  jobbing 
dry  goods  merchanL  In  1835,  he  suffered  eeiverely  from  the  menoc- 
able  fire  of  that  year.  But  by  great  energy  and  persevomnco,  he  sooo 
overcame  his  lusses.  As  his  business  increased,  his  health  becoming 
somewhat  impaired,  he  g.ive  up  his  dry  goods  business,  and  has  for  the 
last  few  years  devoted  himself  to  a  commission  business,  which  he  still 
continues.  He  is  unmarried.  VI.  Elijah,  b.  Jan.  1,  1794,  resides  in 
Tenn.,  has  five  sons  and  two  daus.;  VIL  Amos,  b.  Nov.  23,  1795, 
resides  in  Tenn.,  has  one  son  and  one  dau.;  VllL  Polly,  b.  Dec  3, 
1707,  m.  Ilenry  S.  Wheeler,  lives  in  Middlebury. 

82.  RoswsLL,  son  of  James,  (14,)  m.  Susanna,  dan.  of  Willism 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


475 


Adams.  V  v.  25,  17T3.  Ch.:  I.  Benoni,  b.  Sept.  25,  17*74,  d.  1777  ; 
11.  Koswell,  b.  Jan.  20,  1777,  lives  in  Clinton,  N.  Y.;  III.  Mille,  b.  Feb. 
2, 1779,  d.  Aug.  162G;  TV.  Nancy,  m.  Stephen  Stone,  <L  1828;  V. 
Garry,  b.  1791,  m.  Maria  Richardson,  d.  in  1841. 

83.  AsAHEL,  Esq.,  son  of  James,  (14,)  lived  in  Middlebury,  m.  Esther, 
dau.  of  Stephen  Upson,  Feb.  12,  1784,  d.  April  22,  1850.  Ch.:  L 
Sally,  b.  Dec.  1,  1784,  m.  Daniel  Tyler  of  Middlebury;  II.  William,  b. 
May  27,  1787,  m.  Almira  Tyler,  dau.  of  Roswell,  d.  Sept.  1856  ;  III. 
James,  d.  June,  1816;  IV.  DoctTraoy,  lives  in  Nowton,  Oliio;  V.  and 
VL  Almy  and  Amy  ;  Almy  m.  Lyman  C.unp  of  Middlebury,  Amy  d. 
young ;  VII.  and  VIIL  Amabel  and  £sUier,  b.  1800 ;  Asahel  d.  young, 
Esther  d.  1826. 

34.  Tessk,  son  of  James,  (14,)  m.  Esther,  dau.  of  Nathan  Osborn  of 
Woodbury,  Sept.  30,  1784.  Ch. :  I.  Benoni,  b.  March  1,  1780;  II. 
Marshal,  b.  Nov.  22,  1787;  UL  Alrari,  (dau.)  b.  Aug.  80,  1780;  IV. 
Leman,  b.  Jan.  15, 1792. 

35.  Capt  Amos,  son  of  John,  (15,)  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  Jacob  Blakeslee, 
June  3,  1751,  and  settled  on  the  homestead  at  Jerieo,  which  was  given 
him  by  hii  father  in  1759.  He  was  a  prominent  man  in  Northbury, 
now  Plymouth,  and  d.  Sept  2,  1819.  Ch.:  I.  Lucy,  ]>.  Nov.  1,  1762, 
m.  Isaac  Barnes,  d.at  Camden,  N.  Y. ;  II.  Phebe,  b.  March  30,  1754,  m. 
Igt, '  Seymour,  2d,  Stephen  Sanford,  and  d.  at  Medina,  Ohio,  in  1835  ; 
IIL  Tamer,  b.  Feb.  1,  175G,  d.  1757;  IV.  Zerah,  b.  Jan.  22,  1758,  m. 
Aaron  Welton,  and  d.  at  Medina,  Ohio,  in  1886 ;  V.  Sylvia,  b.  Feb.  3, 
1760,  d.  April,  1776  ;  VL  TilloUon,  b.  Jan.  8,  1762,  (see  p.  376 ;)  VIL 
Noah,  b.  Aug.  6,  1764,  d.  1766;  VIIL  Noah  M.,  b.  July  15,  1707,  m. 
Betsey  Ives  of  Plymouth,  Hves  at  Medina,  Ohio,  to  which  place  he  re- 
moved in  1815,  and  became  one  of  the  original  settlers  and  proprietors. 
He  has  been  a  judge  of  one  of  the  Ohio  courts.  IX.  Amos,  b.  Sept.  3, 
1760,  m.  Hannah  Thomas,  d.  at  Springville,  IV,  in  1825 ;  X.  Anna,  b. 
Jan.  20,  1773,  m.  Joseph  Chatfield  Alcox  of  Wolcott;  XL  Sarah,  b. 
Nov.  8,  1774,  m.  Ist,  Solomon  Barker,  2d, Darius  Orton,  and  3d,  Wm. 
Wiatt,  and  d.  at  Medina,  Ohio,  Sept.  18,  1855;  XiL  Sylvia,  b.  Nor. 
22, 1776,  m.  Medad  Alcox  of  Wolcott. 

86.  SlBA,  son  of  Joseph,  (IG,)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Abraham  Ilickox, 
July  5, 1764.  They  both  d.  in  Ohio,  in  1816.  Ch  :  L  I^vi,  b.  July 
24,  1765,  m.  Sarah  Prindle,  May  28,  1788, and  bad  ten  ch.;  IL  Olive* 
bb  July  8,  1766 ;  IIL  Ager,  b.  Jan.  1,  1768,  ra.  Chiri8sa,daa.  of  Michael 
Bronson,  d.  Dec.  11,  1825 ;  IV.  Joseph,  b.  June  8, 1769 ;  V.  Anna,  b. 
Feb.  5, 1771 ;  VL  Seba,  b.  SepL  26, 1772 ;  VIL  Herman,  b.  Deo.  16, 
1774;  ym.  Thomas  G.,  b.  April  10. 1776  ;  IX  Abraham,  b.  April 


Digitized  by  Google 


476 


HISTO&T  OF  WATERBUBY. 


II,  lYTS;  X.  Mary,  b.  March  13,  1780,111.  Ard  Wei  ton ;  XI.  Bela, 
b.  April  3,  1782;  XII.— b.  1784  ;  XIII  and  XIV.  Southmayd  and 
Daniel,  b.  Sept.  3,  178C.   Southinayd  d.  April  23,  1814. 

37.  Maj.  Samukl,  son  of  Benjaniin,  (17,)  m.  Temperance  Spencer, 
May  30,  1770,  who  d.  July  31,  1785,  ;ui<l  he  m.  lluldah  Williams, 
Dec.  1780,  and  d.  July  21,  1813.  Ch:  I.  lienjamin,  b.  March  19, 
1777  ;  II.  Samuel,  b.  March  31,  177l>;  III.  Chloc,  b.  Aug.  5,  1781, 

III.  riiilo  Bronson ;  IV.  Temperance,  b.  March  18,  1784;  V.  Isaac,  b. 
Aug.  18,  1787,  d.  1787;  VI.  Sally,  b.  Oct.  14,  1791,  d.  17'J8;  VII. 
Isaac,  b.  Sept.  11,  1703  ;  VIII.  William,  b.  June  27,  179.5,  d.  1795; 
IX.  John,  b.  Dec.  29,  1790;  X.Ezra  R.,  b.  Oct.  19,  1801, d.  1805. 

38.  Lt.  MiCHAKL,  son  of  Cajit.  Ezra,  (18.)  in.  Kuiilce,  dau.  of  Joseph 
Nichols,  July  .5,  1770,  and  d.  July  25,  181! _'.  Jlis  widow  d.  1841. 
Ch  :  I.  Clarissa,  b.  Sept.  30,  1770,  ni.  A.  Bronson  ;  II.  Horatio  Gates, 
b.  Oct.  2,  1777,  d.  Oct.  23,  1825  ;  III.  llannah,  b.  Feb.  12,  1780,  m. 
Joel  Scott;  IV.  Ezra,  b.  Dec.  0,  1783. 

39.  Makk,  son  of  Capt.  Ezra,  (18,)  m.  Esther,  dau.  of  Joseph  Hop- 
kins, Sept.  10,  1784,  and  d.  1797.  His  widow  d.  Jan.  19,  1814.  Ch  : 
I.  Henry,  b.  Aug.  4,  1787;  Nancy,  b.  June  21,  1789,  m.  Cyrus  Clark, 
Esq.;  III.  a  <lau.,  b.  1792,  d.  young;  IV.  Esther,  b.  Jan.  28,  1794,  d. 
1795  ;  V.  Edwanl. 

40.  Deacon  Stephen',  son  of  Thomas,  Esq.,  (19.)  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of 
Caleb  llummaston.  May  17,  1704,  and  d.  Dec.  1.*),  1809.  His  widow 
Sarah  d.  July  27,  1822.  Ch  :  I.  Mercy,  b.  Dec.  17,  1704,  m.  John 
Kingsbury,  Nov.  0,  1794,  and  d.  March  21,  1813  ;  II.  Jesse,  b.  Jun«^  9, 
1700,  d.  Feb.  4,  1788,  unmarried  ;  III.  John,  b.  Aug.  14,  1708,  d.  Jan. 
22,  1782  ;  IV.  Susanna,  b.  Dec.  20,  1770,  d.  Oct.  21,  1773  ;  V.  Con- 
tent llummaston,  b.  May  14,  1773,  d.  March  28,  1800,  unmarried; 
VI.  IJennet,  b.  Nov.  14,  1775,  d.  Dec.  11,  1850.  (See  p.  379.)  VII.  Su- 
sanna, b.  April  G,  1780,  m.  Jose|>h  Burton,  June  23,  1805,  d.  July  14, 
1811. 

41.  Deacon  Daniel,  son  of  Thomas,  Esq.,  (19,)  m.  Esther,  dau.  of 
Dca.  Andrew  Bronson,  July  19,  1770.  She  d.  June  24,  1719,  and  he 
d.  Nov.  2,  1824.  Ch  :  I.  Leva,  b.  March  25,  1771,  d.  1775  ;  II.  Noah, 
b.  Sept.  9,  1773,  m.  lluldah,  dau.  of  Jacob  Spcrry,  Dec.  28,1795. 
Shed.  1829.  He  m.  2d,  Chloe,  dau.  of  Ward  Peck;  III.  Asa,  b. 
Nov.  8,  1775,  drowned  in  1780;  IV.  Leva,  b.  April  19,  1778,  d.  in 
1800  ;  V.  Balinda,  b.  May  21,  1780,  d.  1798  ;  VI.  and  VII.— b.  Nov.  9, 
1782.  .1.  the  same  day ;  VIII.  Esther,  b.  April  25,  1784,  m.  William 
Corned ;  IX.  Orra,  b.  June  3,  1786,  m.  Philander  Porter,  and  d.  Jan. 


Digitized  by  Google 


477 


11, 1836;  Z.  Asa,  b.  Sept  8,  1788,  m.  Ruth  Priodle ;  XT.  Andrew, 
b.  Dee.  14, 1791,  d.  1792. 

42.  Tbokas,  son  of  Thomas,  Esq.,  (19,)  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Gapt 
Samuel  Hickox,  Aug.  25, 1774.  His  wife  d.  Match  U,  1818,  and  be 
died  the  neit  day.  Cli:  L  Molly,  h.  March  18,  1775,  m.  Daniel 
Hickox,  d.  March  24,1818;  IL  Sally,  b.  1777,  d.  in  1840;  HI.  Elisa- 
beth, m.  Titus  Foote  of  Watertown,  March  12, 1804,  d.  Oct  8, 1841; 
17.  Anne,  b.  1786,  m.  Bela  HotcUdss,  d.  April  18, 1840. 

48.  JosBPB,  son  of  Ebenezer,  (21,)  m.  Sarah,  dan.  of  Doot  Preserved 
Porter,  Dec  28, 1784,  and  d.  1851.  His  wife  d.  Sept  1889.  Gh :  L 
Sarah  G.,  b.  July  21, 1785,  d.  1794;  H.  Nancy  F.,  b.  Aug.  18,  1787 ; 
HL  Lavinia,  b.  Sept  9,  1789 ;  IV.  Gloe,  b.  Jan.  26,  1791 ;  V.  Pre- 
served P.»  b.  May  1,  1794. 

44.  A11A8A*  son  of  Ebeneier,  (21,)  m.  Sarah,  dan.  of  Samuel  Frost, 
Jr.,  March  81,  1788.  Gh:  L  Lucina,  b.  Dec  21,  1789 ;  XL  Billy,  b. 
Nov.  14,  1791,  d.  1794;  IIL  Philomela,  b.  Jan.  21,  1794;  IV.  Billy 
A.,  b.  June  14,  1796 ;  V.  Samuel  M.,  b.  Jan.  2, 1800;  VL  Julius  G., 
b.  Dec  21, 1801  ;  VIL  Sarah,  b.  Feb.  22,  1805. 

45.  Et^xi,  son  of  Gapt  Isaac,  (22,)  m.  Hepcibah,  dau.  of  Joseph 
Hopkins,  Esq.,  Dec  80, 1787.  (See  p.  874.)  Gh :  L  and  H.  twin»,  b. 
Sept  11, 1790,  d.  same  day;  IIL  Alfred,  b.  Oct  18,  1791,  d.  1792; 
IV.  Erastns*  b.  Feb.  18,  1793;  V.Betsey,  b.  May  6,  1795;  VI.  Em- 
ma, b.  Sept  7,  1797;  VII.  Isaac,  b.  Aug.  19,  1800,  d.  Dec  31, 
1800;  VIII.  Isaac  H.  (See  p.  875.) 

46.  Bbmnkt,  son  of  Stephen,  (40,)  m.  Anne,  dan.  of  Ridiard  Smith, 
of  Bozbnry,  May  11,  1801.  She  d.  March  4, 1819,  and  he  m.  2d, 
Elisabeth,  dau.  of  Dea.  Benjamin  Maltby,  of  Branford,  May,  1820.  She 
d.  June  12,  1840,  and  he  m.  8d,  Nancy,  dau.  of  Jacob  Dagget,  of  New 
Haven,  May  27, 1841.  He,  Bennet,  d.  Dec  11,  1850.  (See  p.  879.) 
Gh:  L  Geoige,  b.  FeK  27.  1802,  d.  July  21,  1822;  U.  Henry,  b. 
Jan.  80, 1804,  m.  June  3,  1881,  Sarah  Miles,  daiL  of  Samuel  Lathrop, 
and  grand-dan.  of  Joseph  Lathrop,  D.  D.,  of  West  Springfield,  Mass. ; 
HI.  Jesse,  b.  Feb.  8,  1806,  d.  April  14, 1881,  unmarried.  He  was  a 
physician  in  North  Haven ;  IV.  Thomas,  b.  June  4,  1808,  d.  April 
20,  1851;  y.  Elizabeth  Anne,  b.  March  8,  1812,  d.  April  6,  1845, 
unmarried;  VI.  Susanna,  b.Feb.  26,  1814,  d.  Aug.  12,  1814;  VH. 
Harriet  Maria,  b.  Sept  18,  1815,  m.  Dec.  8, 1841,  Zina  K.  Murdoek, 
of  Madison,  now  of  Meriden;  VU.  Rebecca  Tainter,  b.  Feb.  10,  1822, 
m.  Douglas  F.  Maltby,  and  d.  Aug.  8,  1845;  VIIL  Susan,  b.  Jan. 
19,  1824. 


Digitized  by  Google 


478 


BI8T0BT  or  WATSBBUBT. 


BROWN. 

1.  Fbanom  Bbowv  m.  Maiy  Edwaids  in  England,  came  to  this  coun- 
try, and  settled  in  New  Haven.  He  was  one  of  the  company  who  came 
to  New  Haven  in  advance  of  the  Oolony,  and  spent  the  winter  of  1637 
and  1638  in  a  hat  located  on  wliat  is  now  the  corner  of  Church  and 
George  streets.  He  signed  the  Colony  Constitution  in  1639.  Ch. : 
Lydia,  John,  Eleaser,  Samuel  and  Ebenezer. 

2.  Samitbl,  son  of  Francis,  (1,)  m.  Mercy  Tuttlj»,  May  2,  1667.  Ch. : 
I.  Abigail,  b.  March,  11,  1669,  d.  young;  ILSarai,  h.  Aug.  8, 1672 ;  UL 
Rachel,  b.  April  14,  1677 ;  lY.  Francis,  h.  Got.  7,  1679 ;  Y.  Gideon,  b. 
July  12,  1685;  YL  Samuel,  b.  Oct  29, 1699. 

8.  Francis,  son  of  Samuel,  (2,)  m.  Hannah  Ailing,  April  1 1 , 1705.  Ch. : 
L  John,  b.  May  14, 1706 ;  11.  Samuel,  b.  Oct  6, 1708 ;  m.  Mehttobel,  K 
April  9, 1711 ;  lY.  Stephen,  h,  Aug.  10, 1718 ;  Y.  Timothy,  b.  April  10, 
1716. 

4.  SrapOBV,  son  of  Francis,  (3,)  m.  Mabel  Bradley,  Sept.  27, 1789.  Ch. : 
L  Hannah,  b.  Feb.  26, 1740^1 ;  IL  Mabel,  b.  May  26, 1748 ;  HL  Sybil, 
b.  Dec  28, 1745 ;  lY.  Stephen,  b.  Jan.  15, 1760-51 ;  Y.  Olive,  b.  May 

28, 1756  ;  VL  Rebekab,  b.  May  30, 1757  ;  VIL  Phebe,  b.  July  8,  1769. 

5.  Stephen,  son  of  Stephen,  (4,)  settled  at  Windsor,  m.  Eunice  Loomis, 
Nov.  1775.  Ch. :  I.  Jamea,  b.  Dec.  2, 1776 :  IL  Stephen,  b.  April  30, 1778, 
m,  Ruth  M.  Loorois,  d.  in  Bloomfield,  Jan.  27, 1842  ;  III.  Bradley,  b.  Dec. 
13,  1079,  d.  Sept.  16,  1845,  in  Champion,  N.  Y.;  IV.  Eunice,  b.  Jan. 
29,  1781,  m.  John  Robinson,  and  d.  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  1846 ;  Y. 
Sarah,  b.  Jan.  27,  1782,  m.  N.  Parsons  of  Charleraont,  Mass.;  YI.  Mar- 
tha, b.  Dec.  23,1784,  m.  Ichabod  Loomis,  is  living  in  Cheshire,  Mass. ; 
VII.  Rebecca,  b.  Dec.  1 786,  is  living  in  Bloomfield,  Conn. ;  YIIL  A  son,  b. 
Feb.  1 1, 1 789,  d.  in  infancy  ;  IX.  A  son,  b.  April,  1 790,  d.  in  infancy ;  X. 
Jesse,  b.  May  17, 1791,  now  living  in  Paulding Co.,phio;  XI. MelindA,b. . 
Feb.  14, 1 795,  in.  Wra.  P.  Briggs,  d.  in  Richmond,  Vt.,  March  15,  1849  ; 
XIL  Oliver,  b.  Dec.  23,  1 798,  now  living  in  Waterbury ;  XIIL  Mabel  P., 
(by  second  wife,)  b.  Feb.  12, 1812,  resides  in  Granby,  Mass. 

6.  Col.  James,  (see  p.  387,)  son  of  Stephen,  (5,)  settled  in  Waterbury 
about  1798,  m.  Levinia  Welton,  and  d.  July  24,  1848.  Ch. :  I.  Philo,  b. 
Jan.  26,  1803;  IL  William,  b.  June  16,  1804  ;  III.  Mary  Ann,  d.  in 
infancy;  IV.  Augustus,  b.  Au^r.  20,  1811  ;  V.  James,  b.  July  2,  1815. 

7.  Oliver,  son  of  Stephen,  (5,)  m.  Lucy  Ilicks  of  Cliesliirc,  Mafis., 
Oct.  20,  1824,  and  located  in  PittsfitM,  Mass.  In  May,  183G,  lie  re- 
moved to  Waterbury.  Ch. :  I.  Henry,  b.  Nov.  5,  1825,  d.  in  infancy; 
IL  Oliver  J.,  b.  Aug.  9,  1827,  ra.  Emily  Latimer  of  Simsbury  ;  111. 
Lucy  J.,  b.  June  2,  1830. 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


479 


8.  PmLO,  son  of  James,  (6,)  m.  Esther,  dau.  of  Giles  Ires.  Gh. : 
I.  William  Henrj,  b.  April  6, 182t,  m.  EUen  A«  Ires  of  Hartford;  IL 
Cornelia  A.,  b.  April  10,  1884,  m.  Theodore  8.  Buel. 

9.  WiLUAstf  son  of  Jamea^  (O,)  m.  Sarah  S.,  daiL  of  Jadge  Einga- 
bury,  who  d.  May  80,  1840,  and  he  m.  2d,  Raehel  Vienna,  dan.  of  Asa 
Fenn  of  IGddlebuiy,  March  25, 1844.  Ch. :  I  Marda  Bronaon,  b.  July 
81,  1832,  d.  Dee.  14, 1851 ;  IL  Bobert  K.,  b.  Bee.  8, 1888,  m.  Elizabeth 
N.  Middlebrook  of  Bridgeport;  IIL  Eliza  Jane,  b.  April  1,  1886 ;  IV. 
A  son  and  a  dau.,  b.  May  1, 1840,  d.  in  infancy ;  V.  Frederick  Jame8»  b. 
Sept  80,  1855. 

10.  AuousTus,  son  of  James,  (6,)  m.  Frances  Elizabeth,  dan.  of  Joseph 
Borton.  She  d.  April  10,  1851,  and  he  m.  Sophia,  dan.  of  Jacob  I)e 
Groff  of  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  22, 1856.  Ch. :  L  Charies  Aogos- 
tus.  b.  Jan.  11, 1845 ;  II.  Francis  Elizabeth,  b.  March  28, 1848. 

11.  Jambs,  son  of  James,  (6.)  m.  Charlotte  E.,  dau.  of  Oliver  Todd, 
of  Plymouth.  Ch. :  L  Frances  Augusta,  b.  April  1,  1836,  d.  Jan.  18, 
1837 ;  IL  Sarah  Josephine,  b.  Sept.  30,  1889  ;  m.  Bosa  Elizabeth,  b. 
Not.  25, 1849. 

BUCKINGHAM. 

1.  Thomas  Buckisoham  came  from*  England  to  Boston  with  Da- 
venport, Eaton  and  Peter  Prudden,  June  26,  1637.  In  April,  1638,  he 
went  to  New  Uaven,  and  tbence  to  Milford  in  Nov.  1639.  Hinman 
sajs  that  he,  Thomas,  was  a  Welchman,  and  that  he  died  in  Boston, 
in  1657,  while  then  on  business.   He.  m.  first,  Hannah,  and  second, 

Ann.   Ills  children  were,  I.  Hannah,  b.  1632,  m.          Welch;  IL 

Daniel,  b.  1636,  m.  1st,  Sarah  Fowler,  2d,  Mrs.  Alice  Newton.  He 
was  a  seigeant  of  militia,  also  an  elder  of  the  church  at  Milford.  He 
d.  May  2,  1711.  His  ch.  were  Paniel,  Mary,  Thomas,  John,  Gideon, 
Josiah,  and  perhaps  others;  HI.  Samuel,  bap.  June  13,  1641,  m.SA- 
rah  Baldwin,  Dec.  14,  1663.  (See  paragraph  2,  and  onward,  for  his 
descendants.)  IV.  Mary,  bap.  March  27,  1648;  Y.  Rev.  Thomas, 
bap.  in  1646.  Where  he  was  educated,  is  not  known.  He  was  at 
Wethersfield  and  Hartford,  as  early  as  1664,  and  continued  some 
time  at  Hartford^  where  he  m.  Esther,  dau.  of  Thomas  Hosmer,  Sept 
29,  1668.  He  received  a  call  from  Saybrook,  where  he  was  or- 
dained in  1679,  and  continued  to  preach  until  hn  death,  which  oc- 
curred April  1,  1799.  He  was  a  Mow  of  Tale  College.  He  held  a 
high  rank  among  the  clergy  of  bis  time,  and  the  strict  Puritans  of 
the  Colony,  and  was  one  of  their  leaden. 


Digitized  by  Google 


HmOBY  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


2.  Samuel,  son  of  Thomas,  (1,)  m.  Sarah  Baldwin,  Dec.  14,  10G3. 
lie  resided  at  Milford,  wiiero  he  d.  April  9,  1700,  lie  had  the  fol- 
lowing ch. :  I,  Sarah,  b.  Jan.  8,  10G4,  ra.  Barnabas  Baldwin;  II.  Marj, 
b.  Oct  3,  1666.  d.  in  childhood;  UL  Samuel,  b.  OoU  1,  1667,  d. 
Feb.  21,  1668;  IV.  Samuel,  b.  Nov.  1,  1668;  V.  Hannah,  b.  Match 

24,  1670-71;  VI.  Tdomaa,  b.  Jane  26,  1672,  m.  Mary  ,  d, 

about  1703  ;  VIL  Ann,  b.  June  17,  1674  ;  VIIL  Maiy,  b.  Mareh  13, 
1676;  IX.  Hester,  b.  May  4,  1677,  m.  Richaid  Phitt. 

8.  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel,  (2,)  m.  Sarah  — ,  and  d.  Oct  20, 
1708.  Ch :  I.  Tbomaa,  b.  about  1699,  m.  Mary  Woodruff,  Jan.  9, 
1723;  II.  Nathaniel,  b.  about  1701,  m.  Sarah  Smith,  May  30, 1728; 
IIL  Maiy,  b.  about  1703. 

4.  Thomas,  son  of  Samuel,  (3,)  m.  Mary  Woodruff  Jan.  9,  1723. 
She  came  to  Westbury,  now  Watertown,  with  her  son  Thomas,  and 
d.  1790.  Th«r  ch.  were  as  follows :  h  Maiy,  b.  Sept  16,  1724,  m. 
Gideon  Piatt,  Feb.  28,  1766 ;  It  Samuel,  b.  Jan.  29,  1726-6,  d. 
July  16,  1726 ;  HI.  Thomas,  b.  May  19,  1727,  settled  in  Waterbury ; 
IV.  Epinetus,  bap.  Jan.  10,  1731,  d.  unmarried ;  V.  Hannah,  b^. 
Aug.  13,  1738,  m.  Abner  Gunn,  of  New  Milford ;  VL  Benjamin, 
bap.  Jan.  2,  1736-7,  settled  in  New  Milfoid  about  1760. 

5.  Thokas,  son  of  Thomas,  (4,)  m.  Sarah  TreBt,  removed  in  1772 
from  Milford  to  Waterbury,  the  southwestern  part  of  what  is  now 
called  Watertown,  and  d.  Jan.  27,  1796.  His  widow  Sarah,  d.  Jan. 
11,  1802.  Ch.:  L  Sarah,  m.  Gamaliel  Clark;  IL  Jean,  m.  Richard 
Bryan;  HL  Isaac,  d.  young;  IV.  Epenetus,  m.  Ann  Welton;  V. 

Mary,  m.  1st,  Eli  Hickox,  2d,  Bradley,  and  d.  Sept  7,  1837 ;  VL 

David,  b.  March  14.  1760;  VII.  Dan,  m.  Philena  Garosey.  Mary 
and  David  remained  in  Watertown ;  the  others  removed  to  the  State 
of  New  York. 

6.  David,  son  of  Thomas,  (6,)  m.  Chloe,  dau.  of  John  Merril, 
Mareh  14,  1786,  and  d.  Feb.  6,  1832.  She  d.  Dec  18. 1841.  Ch  : 
L  John,  b.  Oct  17,  1786;  II.  Sarah,  b.  Feb.  16,  1790,  m.  William 
H.  Merriman,  son  of  Charles  Merriman,*  of  Watertown ;  HL  Chloe, 


*  Be,  Charles,  WH  wn  of  AoiMa  and  Sarah  Mcrrlmao,  of  Wallingford,  nnd  vaa  born  Aop. 
t  >,  ITtt.  H«  colktod  latA  th*  armj  «r  th*  BeTolatlon  u  a  dnrnacr,  to  ITTtr-beoHBe  drum- 

ninj'ir,  ;itid  served  Mirouph  Uie  war.  He  ra.  May  1<?,  1784,  Anna  Piiiu!fn>on,  of  New  UaTen, 
and  settled  in  Watertown,  wltere  he  commenced  th«  buainess  of  tailor,  «hlch  he  waa  com- 
pelled to  rellnqalali  in  eofMrqaenee  of  III  hMlth  After  havlnf  **  riddeii  poet  **  from  New  Harca 

to  Suflield,  four  years,  and  made  .1  vnyaj/t-  to  the  \Ve«t  Indies,  he  cuntnenced  tlic  nicri-iinl|lv 
boalncea  lo  Watertown,  In  which  he  continued  until  1&29.  He  had  a  genial  nature,  and  wat 
dttMngolabad  fbr  dcoMoa  of  «lkavae««r  and  atera  iateffriljr.  Dla  dcaUi  eeeamd  Aag,  tS, 
im.  Hit  wife  nrTlTad  hln,  and  d.  at  Watertown,  April  1, 1644,  agad  99.  Their  ch.  war* :  I. 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


481 


b.  Dec.  13,  1798,  m.  Thomas  B.  Ilickox  in  1818,  and  removed  to 
Ohio  iu  18:37.  Cli :  M;iry,  (.1.  1852,)  Daniel,  John  B.  and  Elizabeth. 
IV.  David,  b.  May  28,  1801,  m.  Emeline,  dan.  of  Caleb  Ilickox,  in 
182;3,  who  d.  April  11,  1835.  lie  d.  Dec.  18,  1842,  leaving  a  dau. 
Cliloe  E.,  b.  Aug.  29,  1827,  who  m.  Moses  S.  Beach  of  X.  V.,  Sept. 
2,  1845  ;  V.  George,  b.  Oct.  2,  1807,  m.  Betsey,  dau.  of  Levi  .Merriam, 
May  13,  1834,  and  removed  to  Oiiio.    Ch:  GoorL!:*^  E.,  M  iry  and  Sarah. 

7.  John,  bod  of  David,  (G,)  ra.  Bctst-y,  dau.  of  James  Scovill.Sept. 
10,  180*.),  and  resides  in  Waterbury.  llis  ch.  are:  I.  Scovill  M.,  b. 
Aug.  10,  1811,  m.  Charlotte  Ann,  dau.  of  Aaron  l^enedict,  May  18, 
1835,  and  lia«  a  SOD,  John  A.,  b.  April  1,  1839  ;  11.  Mary,  b.  May  17, 
1815,  m.  Abram,  son  of  D  )ct.  Ambrose  Ives,  Feb.  25,  1839;  has  a 
dau.  Sarah  C,  b.  March  10, 1840. 

CASTLE. 

1.  ITkshv  Castlk  emigrated  from  Stratford  to  Woodl)nrv  with  the 
earlv  scalers  of  the  la'^t  named  place,  and  d.  in  lOUS.  His  descend, 
ants  are  scmiewhat  numerous  at  ^^^>0(lhlI^y,  lloxbury,  Waterbnrv  ami 
viciiiitv.  The  Fust  cliurcii  records  of  Wootlbury  show  that  he  had  ihe 
following  ch. :  I.  ll^-nry  ;  11.  Samuel ;  IIL  Isaac  ;  IV.  Abigail ;  V.  Marv; 
VI.  Mercy;  all  bap.  at  Woodbury  by  liev.  ZecheriaU  Walker,  Sept, 
1680;  VII.  William,  bap.  1GS8. 

2.  IIknkv,  son  of  TliMiry,  (1.)  was  a  leiling  man  in  that  part  of 
Woo.ilinrv  (Ilitxlmry  soc.)  wluMf  Ijc  reside-.!.  He  had  three  sons  and 
three  diiughlcrs.    (Se--  Coihrm's  Woodbury,  p.  528.) 

3.  Samuel,  son  of  Henry,  (1,)  m.  and  had  a  dau.  bap.  at  AVoodburj 
in  1693. 

4.  IhAAc,  son  of  Henry,  (1,)  livi^l  in  Woodbury,  and  had  :  I.  Isaac, 
bap.  AuLf.  0,  1707,  settled  in  Waterbury;  II.  Samuel,  bap.  Au2f.  0, 
1707;  m.  Sarah,  bap.  March,  1708;  IV.  Daniel,  bap.  Oct.l7l7  ;  V. 
Israel,  b.  April  18,  1722. 


Charles  P.,  d.  1794  ;  lU  BeUej,  m.  Doct.  Samuel  Elton,  a  well  known  physician  of  Watcrtown. 
She  ia  iiriog,  axed  aboat  TO ;  IIT.  William  tt.,  b.  Sept  SS,  1T86.  He  m.  Sarah  Baeklogham,  at 
nbovc,  and  tettlcd  in  Wufertown— <ia*  an  entori>ri«inn  uitfrchant— removed  to  Waterbury, 
where  he  now  reside*.  Ch  :  Clinrlcs  U.,  b.  Oct.  U,  ls)9.  m.  Margaret,  dan.  of  Doct.  Eilwnrd 
Field,  ftrid  Ures  In  Waterbury;  Sirah  A.,  b.Sept.  27,  Hll.  m.  1st,  Thomai  C.  Uorton,  and  2d, 
James  M.  L.  Scovill;  Joseph  P..  b.  Sept.  24,  \SVi,  m.  Julia,  dm.  of  Hawkins  Judd;  l>arld,  b. 
islfi.  d.  IvU;  H-nry.  b.  Mirch  2.5.  1920  ;  IV.  Nancy,  b.  1792.  <1.  yotintr;  V.  Nancy,  b.  Oct. 
S,  HOC,  in.  lit,  Eiward  B.  Purtfr,  2.1,  Rer.  Dr.Uolcomb,  Oct.  2S,  1827;  VI.  Charles  l\  b.  Aug. 
7,  17W,  "baea«ie»  nerehant,  renaorad  to  SavMHMli,  G«o.,  and  d.  thai*.  July  10,  IMS;  TII. 

Ann  i,  h  J  uly  7,  in.  E  l'vnrd  Hl-  kox.  and  d.  Ang.    ]\l    IS<2  ;   VIIT.   Frederick,  b.  Anf. 

7,  lS(t3,  als'i  a  merchant;  removed  l<i  Ueorgia,  and  d.  in  Alabama,  Nor.  1,1^46;  IX  William 
FuBdenon.  b.  Sept.  C,  1803,  alao  a  ncrehaDt ;  ramoTCd  to  Augnata,  Ota.,  rad  d.  8cpi,  t,  13M ; 
X.  Oeorgt  P.,  b.  Aag .  S,  1^  m.,  haa  »  tenllf  aad  ta  IMag  In  Walattown. 

31 


Digitized  by  Google 


482 


HI8T0BT  OF  WAUBBBUBT. 


5.  Wn  T  T  \M.  son  of  Henry,  (1,)  lived  in  Woodbury,  and  his  cli.  were: 
I.  Ann,  b;i].  I  .n.  1,  1V21 ;  II.  Kuih,  b;>p.  June  2,  1723;  III.  John,  bap. 
May  29,  1720  ;  IV.  Mercy,  bap.  May,  1727;  V.  Seth,  bap.  Juno,  1729  ; 
VI.  Phineaa,  settled  io  Waterbury;  VII.  Tabiatha,  bap.  Oct.  U,  1733. 

0.  Isaac,  son  of  Isaac,  (4,)  settled  in  Waterbury  and  ni.  Taj'lior,  dan, 
of  John  Warner,  Jan.  21,  1723.  She  d.  July  20,  1740,  and  he  ni.  Dec. 
21,  1740,  Lydirt,  dau.  of  Richard  Scott  of  "  Sunder  Land."  His  di. 
were:  I.  Asahel,  b.  Aug.  28,1725;  II.  Sarah,  b.  Nov.  5,  1727;  HI. 
Mary,  b.  Oct.  2o,  1 730,m.  Win.  Judd  in  1752,  and  d.  in  1777  ;  IV.  Lydia, 
b.  Feb.  25,  1735  ;  V.  Abisha,  b.  Jan.  20,  1738  ;  VI.  Taplier,  b.  Oct  3, 
1741 ;  VH.  Elizabeth,  b.  April  20,  1743  ;  VIII.  Isaac,  b.  Feb.  5,  1745,  d. 
17G0;  IX.  Mehitable,  b.  Sept.  5,  1747  ;  X.  Richard,  b.  D  'c  5,  1740  : 
XI.  Daniel,  b.  Feb.  16,  1762;  ill.  Araasa,  b.  April  6,  1756;  Xlih 
Jed.  diah,  b.  July  2,  1767. 

7.  Ciijit.  riiiNEAS.son  of  William,  (5,)  b.  at  Woodbury,  MarcU 
25,  1731,  aod  bap.  May  2,  1731.  He  ni.  Mary  Dickennui  of  Ham- 
den,  who  was  b.  Sept  2,  1743,  He  settled  in  Waterbury,  was  captaio 
in  the  French  and  Indian  war,  and  also  served  in  tlie  Revolution.  lie 
d.  Sept  25,  1815,  and  his  wid.  Mary,  d.  Dec  20,  1817.  Ch.:  I.  Mehit- 
able, b.  Jan.  24,  1708,  m.  Ashbel  Upson  and  settled  in  Wolcoti;  II. 
Mary,  b.  Feb.  24,  1770,  m.  AVoodward  Ilotchkiss  and  settled  in  Pros- 
pect, (see  Ilotchkiss  family  ;)  III.  Tabiatba,  b.  March  10,  1772,  m.  

Barrett,  settled  in  Berlin,  loet  her  husband  and  m.  Frederick  Ilut.  liki>s 
of  Prospect  and  d.  in  1850;  IV.  Khoda,  b.  April  3,  1774,  in.  Eber 
Smith  of  Burlington,  and  d.  Sept  1,  1805;  V.  Phineas,  b.  April  25, 
1776,  ra.  Olivia  Deane  and  settled  in  Camden,  N.  Y. ;  VI.  Esther,  b. 
April  24,  1778,  m.  Jamt  s  Alcott  and  settled  in  Wolcott ;  VII.  S -tli.  h. 
June  12,  1780,  in.  Olive  Stephen'^,  settled  in  Sjlina,  N.  Y. ;  VUI. 
Chloe,  b.  June  8d,  1782,  d.  1807  ;  IX.  Samuel  D.,  b.  Nov.  3, 1784,  m. 
Sarah  Brockett,  removed  to  Camden,  N.  Y. ;  X.  Sally,  b.  Aug.  15, 

1788,  ni.  Thompson,  and  soon  after  dietl.     All  of  this  family  left 

or  have  children,  except  Chloe,  and  most  of  them  large  families.  Many 
of  them  lived  to  great  age. 

8.  AflABBL,  son  of  Isaac,  (6,)  m.  Deborah,  dau*  of  Gideon  Alloiit 
May  22, 1745,  and  bad  :  I.  Tapher,  b.  Feb.  24,  1740  ;  II.  Levi,  b.  Oct 
23,  1747  ;  HI.  Joel,  b.  Dec  80,  1751;  IV.  Simeon,  b.  May  18, 1753; 
V.  John,  b.  April  24,  1755. 

9.  Abisha,  son  of  Isaac,  (G,)  m.  Miriam,  dau.  of  Ebeneier  Bradley, 
March  14,  1760.  Ch. :  I.  Bradley,  b.  Dec.  5, 1761,  d.  1777 ;  IL  Asher, 
b.  May  10, 1763 ;  IIL  Sarah,  b.  April  20, 1765 ;  IV.  Philo,  b.  Feb.  16, 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX 


4S3 


1768 ;  Y.  Molly,  b.  July  16,  1770  ;  VI.  Hosaona,  b.  July  17,  1775; 
VIL  Samuel,  b.  April  24,  1777. 

CLARK. 

1.  Thomas,*  son  of  William,  of  Northampton,  M.u^.,  and  Lebanon, 
Conn.,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  John  Stroncj  of  Windsor,  June  27,  1717,  and 
settled  in  Waterbury.  Sarah,  his  wife,  d.  Si-pt.  10,  1749,  a^jjed  about 
63,  and  he  m.  2(1,  M.iry,  wid.of  benjamin  ILirrison,  July  30,  17G0,  aud 
d.  Nov.  12,  1764.  His  ch.  were,  I.  Mary,  b.  Oct.  31,  1718,  m.  hon- 
jamin  llarrison,  Jr.  ;  IT.  Timothy,  b.  March  22,  1720-1,  d.  Nov.  22, 
1727  ;  nr.  Sarah,  b.  Dec.  13,  1723,  m.  Stephen  Upson;  IV.  Han- 
nah, b.  Jan.  31,  1726-7  ;  V.  llepzibah,  b.  <  >ot.  17,  1729,  m.  Joseph  Uop- 
kins;  VI.  Timothy,  b.  May  19,  1732  ;  VII.  Esther,  b.  June  22,  1735, 
m.  Phineaa  Porter  ;  VIIL  Thomas  b.  Jan.  26,  1737-8;  IX.  David,  b. 
April  25,  1740. 

2.  TiMOTny,  son  ofThoma«>,  (1,)  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Stephen  Hopkins, 
Dec  4,  1766.  She  d.  Oct.  21,  17o7,  and  he  m.  2d,  Hannah,  dau.  of 
Isaac  Bronson,  June  13,  1759.  She  d.  Sept.  15,  1783,  and  he  in.  3d, 
Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Tliomas  Porter.  Ho  d.  Sept.  18,  1824.  Ch. :  I. 
Sarah,  b.  Oct.  9,  1757,  d.  May  n,  1770  ;  II.  Asahcl,  b.  July  10,  1760, 
d.  Dec.  IG,  1787;  HI.  William,  b.  June  11,  17G3,  m.  Sarah  Carring- 
ton  of  New  Haven,  April  14,  1785;  IV.  Eli,  b.  OcU  2,  1764;  V. 
Molly,  b.  Oct.  10,  17G0,  d.  Sept.  14,  185G. 

3.  Thomas,  son  of  Thomas,  (1,)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Daniel  lline  of  New 
Milford,  March  20,  17G5.  Ch. :  I.  Daniel,  b.  Dec.  30, 17G5,  d.  in  infancy; 
H.  "  Uusha,*'  b.  July  13,  1707,  d.  March  7.  1813  ;  III.  Sarah,  b.  June  6, 
1770,  m.  Lemuel  Harrison;  IV.  Daniel,  b.  April  19,  1772;  V,  Aure- 
li:^  b.  Feb.  8,  1779,  (the  family  record  saya  1760,)  now  living,  unm., 
1857. 

4.  David,  son  of  Tliomas,  (1,)  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Samuel  Nichols 
of  Lebanon,  Oct.  27,  1772.  He  bad  one  child,  Hannah,  b.  June  5, 
1774,  and  m.  Reul>en  Adams. 

6.  Eli,  son  of  Timothy,  (2,)  ra.  Kebeccn,  dau.  of  Aaron  lienedict, 
Dec.  20,  1792,  and  d.  Dec.  20,  1843.  Ch. :  L  Joseph,  b.  Nov.  3, 
1793,  d.  Sept.  7,  1810;  H.  Polly,  b.  July  31,  1790,  m.  Merlin  Mead  of 
South  Salem,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  10,  1820;  IH.  Maria,  b.  March  12,  1799,  m. 
Ist,  Solomon  Smith  of  N.  Y.,  May  13,  1820,  who  d.  April  10,  1822, 
and  she  m.  2d.  John  T.  Baldwin,  of  New  Milford,  Oct  27,  1831 ;  IV. 


•8Mp.MBortbtow«fk. 


Digitized  by  Google 


484 


HI8T0BY  OF  WATBRBURT. 


Harriet,  b.  Nov.  30,  1802,  m.  E-hvard  Soovill,  Aunr.  21,  1823  ;  V.  Bl- 
wani,  b.  June  4,  1805,  ni.  Caroline  Smith,  and  2d,  Maria  Stone;  VL 
Eli  Benedict,  b.  Feb.  22,  ISOS,  ni  Coriu-lia  DeWett ;  VII.  Ciiarles,  b. 
Nov.  20,  1810,  ni.  Harriet  lUakeslee,  and  settled  at  Cay:ilu>ira  Falls, 
Ohio;  VIII.  Mary  Ann,  b.  July  30,  1818;  IX.  Timothy  T...  b.  Nov.  10, 
181"),  m.  Klvira  Calkin  and  removed  to  Iowa;  X.  Janie.-*,  b.  Sept.  18, 
1818,  m.  Sarab  Maria  Siiliman,  and  settled  at  Iowa  City,  Iowa. 

6.  Daniel,  son  of  Thomas,  (3,)  in.  Polly,  dau.  of  Isaac  Lewis,  Feb.  10, 
1793.  She  d.  and  he  m.  Polly  llitclu  oek.  Ch. :  I.  Tliomas,  b.  March 
II,  1794;  II.  Isaac  Lewia^  b.  Juoe  25,  1796;  III.  Nancy,  b.  Sept« 
19,  1799. 

^>ther  families  of  the  name  of  Clarlc  bave  resided  in  Waterbuiy. 
The  following  are  some  of  tbem. 

Joseph  Clark*8  will  was  j^roved  Feb.  2, 1762,  by  which  it  a)>pears  be 
bad  < !)..  as  follows:  I.  Joseph,  d.  Jan.  15,  1740-50;  II.  Lydia,  m. 

 Wheeler;  111.  Hannah,  m.  Plum  ;  IV,  Tabiatha,  m.  Al- 

lyn;  V.  Deborah,  m.  —  Sanford  of  New  Uaven ;  VI.  Diana,  m. 
—  Curtias;  VIL  Lucy,  m.  Benjamin  Matthews. 

Joseph,  son  of  Joseph  above,  in.  Mary,  «lau.  of  Abraham  Clark,  of 
Southington,  Dec.  8,  1741,  and  d.  Jan.  15,  1749-50.  Cli.  :  I.  Mary, 
b.  0(  f.  17  in  ;  II.  Abner,  b.  May  12,  1745  ;  III.  Kuth,  b.  Aug.  28, 
1747 ;  IV.  Lydia,  b.  Oct  5,  1749. 

Joiis  Clakk,  son  of  Josepli,  m.  II;inn;ih,  dau.  of  Stephen  ljnK»ks 
of  Farmington,  Sept.  9,  1747.  Clt. :  I.  John,  b.  May  11,  1748.  Samuel 
Clark,  the  son  of  Josepli,  d.  Sept.  2S,  1749. 

Calkb  Clark,  of  Waterbury,  d.  July  29,  17G8.  lie  had  a  fion, 
Daniel,  who  m.  April  12,  1759,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  John  Dowd,  of  Mid- 
dletown.  Ch.:  I.  Daniel,  b.  April  12.  1760,  d.  next  day ;  II.  Thebe, 
b.Dec6,  1762;  IIL  Truman,  b.  N  .v.  12,  1764. 

John  Clark  was  born  at  Milford,  about  1765.  He  settled  in  Water- 
bury  and  ra.  Mille,  dau.  of  Herman  Munson,  aUo  of  Waterbury,  April 
0,  1788.  After  the  birth  of  his  children,  he  removed  to  New  Milford, 
and  thence,  in  1818,  to  Medina,  Ohio.  Ue  d.  in  1829.  His  wid.  whs 
living  in  Oln'o,  1865, aged  85.  Cli.:  L  Sherman,  b.  Aug.  29,  1789  ;  II. 
Polly,  b.  Nov.  19,  1791  ;  IH.  hansom,  b.  April  8,  1V04;  IV.  BeU 
Bronson,  b.  Oct.  1,  1796  ;  V.  John  Lines,  b.  Aug.  8,  1709;  VL  Amoa, 
b.  Dec.  8, 1801 ;  VII.  Jeremiah,  b.  Jan.  4,  1804 ;  YIII.  Anson,  b.  Dec 
10,  1806,  graduated  at  Kenyon  college,  Ohio,  became  an  Episcopal 
deigyman,  has  held,  successively,  the  rectonhip  of  the  parishes  of  Sl 
Andrew's,  Elyria,  St  Paul's,  Korwalk,  St  Philip's,  Ciideville,  and  St 
Timothy's,  Massillon,  all  in  Ohio.   In  1854,  he  accepted  the  rectorship 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


4S5 


of  Emmanuel  church,  in  the  city  of  Rockford,  IlUnoiSi  where  he  now 
lives;  IX.  Abel,  b.  July  12, 1812. 

COOK.* 

1.  IIbkry  Cook  whs  at  Plymouth,  Mass.,  before  1640.  He  had  sons, 
Isaac,  John,  Henry  and  Samuel.  I«aac  is  6uppo::»ed  to  have  remaiiied 
at  Plymouth,  and  John  to  have  settled  at  Middletown.  Henry  and 
Samuel  settled  at  Wallingford,  and  are  the  ancestors  of  most  of  the 
name  of  Cook  in  Connecticut,  and  of  many  in  various  parts  of  the 
country. 

2.  Samuel,  son  of  Uonry,  (1,)  was  among  the  first  settlers  of  Wal- 

tingford,  and  sio^ned  the  fundamental  aKicles  of  tliat  town  in  1670. 
He  m.  Ist,  1I<)[K',  dau.  of  Edward  Parker  of  New  Haven,  May  2,  1GG7, 
2d,  Mary  Roberts.  July  14,  1090.  lied,  in  March,  1702,  aged  61.  He 
had  a  son,  Samuel,  b.  Miircli  3,  1CG8. 

3.  Hrnrt,  son  of  Henry,  (1.)  was  early  at  Wallingford.  lie  had  a 
son,  Ucnry,  who  settled  in  Walerbury. 

4.  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel,  (2,)  ra.  Ist,  Hannah  Merriman,  abont 
1600,  who  d.  May,  1713,  and  2d,  Elizabeth  Bedell  of  Stratford,  and  d. 
Sept.  1725.  He  had  five  sons  and  nine  daus.  One  of  his  sons,  Moses^ 
settled  in  Walerbury. 

5.  Henrv,  son  of  Henry,  (3,)  was  admitted  an  inhabitant  of  Waters 
bury  in  1728.  Ch.:  Ebenezer,  Samuel,  Henry,  Thankful  and  Jon- 
athan. 

6.  Moses,  eldest  son  of  Samuel,  (4,)  was  b.  in  Wallingford,  Not.  6, 

1716.    He  ni.  Sarah  ,  and  settleil  in  Branford,  where  three  of  bis 

children  were  bom.  He  removed  tlicnce  to  Walerbury,  where  his  wife 
died  in  Jan.  1760,  and  he  m.  Dinah,  wid.  of  Benjamin  Harrison,  who 
d.  in  Oct.  1792.  He  was  struck  on  the  head  with  a  "flat-iron  "  by  an 
Indian,  who  mistook  him  for  another  person,  and  d.  Dec.  12,  1771,  (nee 
p.  368.)  Ch. :  I.Charles,  b.  1741, d.  Aug.  11, 1764 ;  II.  Moses,  b.  May 
30,  1744;  III.  Sarah,  b.  June  13.  1747,  d.  April  6,  1823,  unm. ;  IV. 
E>ther,  b.  1750,  m.  Joseph  Beebe;  V.  Elizabeth,  b.  May  15,  1752,  m. 
Benjamin  Baldwin;  VI.  Hnnnrdi,  b.  Jan.  11,  1755,  m.  Titus  Bronson ; 
VH.  Lydia,  b.  May  27,  1705,  m.  Hiekox. 

7.  EoENEZKK,  son  of  Henry,  (5,)  settled  in  Xortlibury,  and  m.  Phebe, 
dau.  of  Moses  Bluke.^lee,  May  10,  174  4.    Cii. :  I.  Huldah,  b.  April  26, 


*  Th«  •neettori  from  wben  nest  of  Uie  Oooka  la  New  Enirlaiid  tract  their  deteeat,  «•»• 

rrniii  llenf  •nl-^liire  niid  Kent,  in  Eii^clUld.  Thi'  niice^trnl  tinineh  frum  wtiorii  those  of  tht 
name  truce  their  origin,  HOW  reitdeat  ia  rarlow  parU  of  tbi«  Sute,  came  from  Kent,  and  w«r« 
of  tba  Porltaa  itock. 


Digitized  by  Google 


486 


HISTORY  OF  WATERilUKY 


1745;  11.  Joel,  b.  Aug.  5,  1746;  IfL  Justus,  b.  May  25,  1748,  grad. 
Yale  Coll.;  IV.  Jonab,  b.  Aug.  11,  1760;  Y.  Eri,  b.  Oct  20,  1752; 
VI.  Rosell,  b.  May  1,  1755,  grad.  Tale  Coll.;  VII.  Nise,  b.  April  17, 
1758;  VIII.  Arbtpb. April 4, 1760;  IXLurenda, b. Sept.  20, 1764;  X. 
ITri;  XL  Ebenezer,  became  a  cleigyman  and  redded  at  Montville, 
Conn. 

8.  Hbrrt,  son  of  Henry,  (5,)  m.  Hannab,  dan.  of  Nathan  Benbam 
of  Wallingford,  Nov.  7, 1745,  and  settled  in  Northbuiy.  Cb. :  I.  Tbank- 
ful,  b.  Jan.  12, 1747;  IL  Mary,  b.  March  80,  1748,  d.  June  11,  1760; 

III.  Sarah,  b.  March,  1750,  d.  June  15,  1760;  IV.  Zuba,  b.  Dec.  24, 
1751,  d.  June  17,  1760 ;  V.  Lemuel,  b.  Dec.  7, 1754,  d.  June  24,  1760 ; 
VL  Selah,  b.  Dec.  19,  1756 ;  VII.  Trueworthy,  b.  Sept.  29, 1759. 

0.  Jonathan,  son  of  Henry,  (5,)  m.  Ruth,  dau.  of  William  Luttington 
of  North  Haven,  June  15,  1785,  and  settled  in  Northbuiy.  Ch. :  Jon* 
athan,  b.  Marcb  29, 1786;  II.  Jesse,  b.  Feb.  1,  1789 ;  HL  Titus,  b.  May 
2, 1741 ;  IV.  Sarah,  b.  Oct.  31, 1744  ;  V.  Abel,  b.May  18,  1747. 

10.  MosBS,  son  of  Moses,  (6,)  m.  Jemima,  dau.  of  Joseph  Upson, 
Nov.4,1766.  Shed.  March  6, 1821;  bed.  Dec.  28, 1881.  Cfa.:I.Jo. 
scph,  b.  Noy.  4, 1767 ;  IL  Lucy,  b.  Sept  29,  1769,  d.  Dec  8, 188^, 
imm, ;  IIL  Daniel,  b.  Jan.  5, 1773 ;  IV.  Hannah,  b.  March  5, 1775,  m. 
Horatio  Upson ;  V.  Anna,  b.  Marcb  8, 1778,  m.  Mark  Leavenworth ; 
VI.  Elias,  b.  Dec.  26, 1783,  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Daniel  Bartholomew  of 
Plymouth,  Nov.  16,  1813.  She  d.  and  he  m.  2d,  a  Mrs.  Bartholomew, 
attdd.MarcUl4, 1847. 

11.  JoiL,  son  of  Ebenezer,  (7,)  m.  Dinah  Dunbar,  Nov.  17, 1768. 
He  lived  in  Northbury.  Ch.:  I.  Levi,  b.  Sept.  17,  1769,  d.  unra.;  II. 
Cbloe,  b.  June  25, 1771,  m. Emblem  Barnes;  IILZen^is,  b.  July  7, 1773 ; 

IV.  Dinah,  b.  March  26,  1775,  m.  Jerome;  V.  Huldafa,  b.  Dee. 

29, 1777,  m.  Truman  Johnson;  VL  Uri,  b.  Dec  24,  1779;  VIL  Lucy, 
m.  John  Elden  ;  VIIL  Sally,  d.  in  early  life ;  IX.  Phebe,  m.  Joel  Griggs ; 
X.  Joel,  m.  Polly  Russell  in  Bradford  Co.,  Pa. 

12.  JosBPB,  son  of  Moses,  (10,)  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  Ezra  Bronson, 
Esq.,  Aug.  1792.  He  d.  Nov.  26, 1855 ;  his  wife  ten  hours  afterwards. 
Both  were  buried  in  one  grave.  Ch. :  L  Edward  Bronson,  b.  March 
18,  1793  ;  n.  Samuel,  b.  Dec  12,  1794;  IIL  Susan  Judd,  b.  Oct.  25, 
1797,  m.  Mark  Leavenworth,  Nov.  1844,  and  d.  Dec.  16,  1848;  IV. 
Sally  Leavenworth,  b.  Oct  29,  1799,  tn.  Solomon  Curtiss  of  South- 
ington;  V.  Nancy,  b.  Nov.  16,  1801,  m.  William  Scovill  of  Middle- 
town,  in  1828  ;  VL  Nathan,  b.  Jan.  8,  1804 ;  VIL  Gcoriro,  b.  April  8, 
1800,  d.  Jan.  19,  1815  ;  VIH.  George  William,  b.  Feb.  28,  1811. 

13.  David,  son  of  Mo>c*s,  (10,)  ra.  Nov.  25, 1799,  Sally,  dau.  of  Jacob 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


487 


Sperry  of  Cheshire.  Ch. :  I.  Manuu,  b.  Sept  12,  1800,  d.  Feb.  9, 
1821 ;  IL  Sarah  P.,  b.  Aug.  1804,  in.  Thos.  B.  Segor,  in  1826;  IlL 
Moees  Stiles,  b.  1812,  m.  Polly  &  Tolies  ia  1844. 

14.  Zbkas,  son  of  Joel,  (U,)  m.  Ist,  Polly  Lewis  of  Plymouth,  Feb. 
1800,  whod.  in  June,  1809,  and  he  m.  2d,  Betsey,  dan.  of  Col.  Pbineas 
Porter,  May  20, 1810.  lie  d.  in  Waterbury,  April  25,  1851.  She  d. 
Oct.  1857.  Ch. :  L  William,  b.  April  17, 1802,  m.  Manila  Plumb,  and 
removed  to  Michigan ;  II.  Sarah  Curtins,  b.  Jan.  16,  1807 ;  III.  Geo. 
Lewis,  b.  June  5, 1809,  now  deceased;  IV.  Lucian  Porter,  h»  March 
18, 1811,  m.  Sarah  Judd,  and  removed  to  Georgia;  V.  Harriet  M.,  b. 
Dec.  9, 1812,  m.  Henry  P.  Peck  of  Berlin ;  VI.  Catharine  L.,  b.  July 
2, 1815,  ro.  Augustus  Smith  of  Plymouth,  and  removed  to  New  Haven ; 
VIL  Maty  E.,  b.  March  27, 1818. 

15.  Edwabd  Bbonson,  son  of  Joseph,  (12,)  m.  Sept  11, 1831,  Dolly, 
dau.  of  Charles  McClallan  of  Lancaster,  Mass.,  and  has  a  dau.  Susan  L., 
b.  Aug.  1,  1833.  He  established  the  Waterbury  American,"  a  well 
managed,  weekly  newspaper,  in  1845-6. 

16.  Saiiukl,  son  of  Joseph,  (12,)  m.  Charity  Warner,  Nov.  7, 1813, 
and  d.  in  1835.  His  wid.  ro.  Leveret  Candee  of  Watertown.  An 
only  dsu.  Ann  Maria,  b.  Sept  8,  1815,  m.  Leveret  E.  Rice,  Dec 
6,  1832. 

17.  Nathan,  son  of  Joseph,  (12,)  m.  Clarissa,  dau.  of  Russell  Rey- 
nolds of  Plymouth,  May  31,  1826,  and  has  one  son,  Walter  Hart,  b. 
Sept  26,  1837. 

IS.  Gborob  WiLUAic,  son  of  Joseph,  (12,)  grad.  Tale  Coll.  in  1837, 
and  m.  Sept  26,  the  same  year,  Emily  C,  dau.  of  Tho.  Johnson  of  Mid- 
dletown.  Ch.:  L  Gertrude  E.  H.,  b.  Oct  29,  1838 ;  U.  Francis  B.,  b. 
Sept  14,  1840,  d.  June  29, 1841 ;  HL  Ella  S.,  h.  Got  7,  1842. 

DE  FOREST. 

1.  Three  brothers,  Hendrick,  Isaac  and  David  De  Forest,  (or  De  la 
Forest,)  came  to  this  country  in  the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury. Hendrick  and  Isaac  settled  in  New  York.  Hendrick  soon  died, 
and  it  is  believed  without  children.  The  descendants  of  Isaac  are  nu- 
merous.  One  or  more  of  his  children  settled  in  or  near  Albany,  and  in-  • 
termarried  with  the  Dutch ;  hence  the  name  became  corrupted,  and 
many  of  his  descendants  are  called  De  Frees,  De  Frieze  or  De  Frost 
David  settled  in  Stratford,  Conn.  The  following  are  his  descendants  in 
the  mate  line. 

2.  David,  above,  who  settled  in  Stratford,  d.  in  1721,  left  six 
sons,  as  follows:  David,  b.  1702;  Samuel,  b.  1704;  Isaac,  b.  1706, 


Digitized  by  Google 


48S 


III8TORT  OF  WATEBBURT. 


d.  without  descendants  in  the  male  line  ;  Edward,  h,  1708;  Uenry,  b. 
1710  ;  Benjamin,  b.  1710. 

3.  David,  son  of  David,  (2j  had  sons :  Samuel,  no  male  issue ;  David, 

llt'zekiali,  Elihu,  Epliraiin. 

4.  Samiel,  son  of  David,  (2,)  had  sons:  Joscplj,  b.  1731  ;  Samuel, 
b.  1739,  no  male  issue;  Nehemiab,  b.  1743 ;  David,  b.  1745;  Josiah, 
b.  174:J. 

5.  EiAVARD,  son  of  David,  (2.)  had,  Isaac,  b.  1730;  Elisha,  b.  1738  ; 
Edward,  b.  1743  ;  Jobo,  b.  1745;  William,  b.  1752,  no  male  ii>sue; 
Joseph,  b.  1758. 

6.  IIexkv,  son  of  David,  (2,)  had,  Henry,  b.  1750;  Timothy,  b. 
1751 ;  David,  b.  1755.    Neither  of  them  had  sons. 

7.  Benjamin,  son  of  David,  (2,)  had  llczekiah,  b.  1745  ;  Xfljomiali, 
l>.  1748,  no  issue;  Benjamin,  b.  1749;  Isaac,  b.  1758;  Otluiiel,  b. 

ITGl. 

8.  David,  son  of  Dnvi.l,  (3,)  had,  Eiiud,  b.  1709;  Samuel;  Davi»l, 
no  male  issue;  Isaac;  Clark,  b.  1772. 

0.  IIezekiau,  son  of  David,  (3,)  had  Uriah,  no  male  issue ;  llezekiah, 

b.  1770 

10.  Eliiit,  son  of  David,  (3,)  bad,  .Tost^pli,  no  male  issne ;  Datid  L., 
b.  1703 ;  lienjamin,  no  male  issue ;  Bill  Clark,  no  male  issue. 

11.  Ei'HRAiM,  son  of  David,  (3,)  had,  Nathan,  b.  1765;  Z.dmon, 
b.  1770 ;  Henry,  b.  1778;  Samuel,  b.  1784,  no  sons;  Epbraim  b. 
1787. 

12.  Joseph,  son  of  Samuel,  (4,)  h.ul,  Samuel;  Abel, b.  1761 ;  Mills, 
b.  1703,  no  male  issue;  Elihu,  b.  1777  ;  (lideon. 

13.  Nbbemiaii,  son  of  Samuel,  (4.)  had,  William,  b.  1773  ;  Lock- 
wood,  b.  1775;  Philo,  b.  1779  ;  l>elauzun  and  Charles. 

14.  David,  son  of  Samuel,  (4,)  had,  Isaac  N.;  David  L. ;  Samuel; 
Joseph.    The  first  three  had  no  sons. 

15.  Isaac,  son  of  Edward,  (5,)  had  Benjamin. 

10.  Elisha,  son  of  Edwjird,  (5,)  had,  Isaac,  b.  1708,  no  male  issue; 
Daniel,  b.  1771,  had  Albert,  who  d.  without  male  issue. 

17.  EowaiiD,  son  of  Edward,  (5,)  had  James,  no  male  issue. 

18.  John,  son  of  Edward,  (5,)  had,  Curtis;  Thilo,  b.  1772;  John; 
Edward;  the  two  last  no  male  issue  ;  J.-mus  ha<i  a  son  James. 

19.  JosEpn,  son  of  Edward,  (5,)  ]:ad,  I.  William,  b.  1787,  had  sons, 
Charles  P.  and  George  ;  II.  Joseph,  b.  17!)0,  had  AVilliam,  Curtis  W, 
Ransford  S.,  .lohn  D.,  aii*l  l^anicl  A.;  III.  Mitchell,  b.  1797,  had  sons, 
Daniel  and  William ;  IV.  Curtis,  b.  1803,  had  William,  Darwin  and 
Charles. 


Digitized  by  Google 


20.  Hkzekiab,  son  of  Benjamin,  (7,)  bad,  Phi)o,b.  1782,  and  Samuel 
Ah  b.  1784. 

21.  Bbnjahix,  son  of  Benjamin,  (7,)  had,  David  C,  b.  1774;  John 
11^  b.  1770;  Uenjamin,  b.  1780  ;  Ezra,  b.  1782. 

22.  Isaac,  son  of  Benjamin,  (7.)  had,  Alonzo,  b.  1 78S  ?  Lemuel,  b. 
1788;  Aaron,  b.  1790;  Isaac,  K  1704;  Grandidon,  b.  1797.  None 
but  the  first  bad  male  issue. 

23.  OrasiEi^  Bon  of  Benjamin,  (7,)  bad,  Linson ;  Sidney,  no  mate 
issue;  Charles. 

24.  Eliud,  son  of  David,  (8,)  had,  I.  lliram,  b.  1793,  had  William  J. ; 

II.  Charles,  b.  1790,  had  Ilarvey  B.;  III.  AViiiiam,  no  sons;  lY.  Samuel, 
b.  1800.  no  sons ;  V.  David  lu,  b.  1804,  liad  Joiin  E.  and  Cyrus  R. ;  YI. 
Edward,  b.  1806,  had  Charles  £.  and  Samuel  £. 

25.  Samubl,  son  of  David,  (8,)  had,  William,  no  male  issue  ;  Henry, 
do.;  Ira. 

20.  Isaac,  son  of  David,  (8,)  had,  I.  David,  who  had  Lt-grand  and 
David  L. ;  II.  IXarvey,  bad  George  and  AlansonB.;  III.  Lewis,  no 
male  issue;  lY.  Isaac  J.,  had  Joeiah  and  Samuel  J. 

27.  Clark,  son  of  David,  (8,)  had,  I.  Curtis,  b.  1804,  who  had  Sam* 
uel  C,  Ransille  B.  and  William  W.;  11,  Jar«d,  b.  1807,  had  William 
U.  and  Giles  A.;  HI.  William  C,  b.  1811,  had  John  W.,  Henry  W., 
Daniel  W.  and  Isaac;  lY.  George,  b.  1812,  bad  Sylvester,  Charles  H. 
and  James. 

28.  Ukzbkiab,  son  of  Ueiekiah,  (9,)  had,  I.  Hiram  O.,  b.  1794 ;  H. 
Legrand,  b.  1802,  who  had  George  B.,  Charles  E.  and  Stephen  C. 

29.  David  L.,  son  of  Elihu,  (10,)  had,  I.  Archibald,  bw  1787,  no 
male  issue;  II.  Alfred,  b.  1791,  do.;  IIL  Benjamin,  had  David  L.,  Ben- 
jamin and  Alfred  A. 

30.  Nathan,  son  of  Ephrainu  (11,)  had,  I.  Henry,  b.  1790,  who  had 
Edward,  James,  Hiram  and  John ;  IL  Samuel  J.,  b.  1793,  had  Geoige  S. ; 

III.  Silas  G.,  b.  1794,  had  Gilbert;  lY.  J.  Hoyt,  b.  1800,  had  Geoige ; 
Y.  Charles,  b.  1808,  had  George  and  Charles. 

31.  Zalmon,  son  of  Ephrairo,  (II,)  bad,  I.  John  W.,  no  male  issue; 
11.  William  S.,  b.  1815,  bad  James  H. 

32.  HsNRT,  son  of  Ephraim,  (11,)  had  Henry  E.,  b.  1818. 

33.  Epbbaim  Bm  son  of  Ephraim,  (11,)  had,  I.  William  S.,  b.  1812, 
who  had  Albert;  IL  Samuel  H.,  b.  1827;  HL  David  C.,b.  1822,  had 
Charles  H. 

34.  Samuel,  son  of  Joseph,  (12,)  bad,  I.  Marcus,  no  male  issue ;  H. 
Legrand,  do. ;  IH.  William  C,  had  Joseph  and  Samuel. 

35.  Abel,  son  of  Joseph,  (12,)  had,  I.  Henry,  who  had  William  H. 


Digitized  by  Google 


490  HIBTOBT  OF  WATERBUBT. 

And  Clinrltis ;  II.  Mills,  no  miUe  issue ;  UL  William ;  IV.  M.  DeUu- 
zun.  had  Samuel  M. 

SO.  Gideon-,  son  of  Joseph,  (12,)  had,  1.  Lec,  who  had  George  and 
Henry  S.;  II.  Abel  I>. ;  HI.  Cvrus  II.,  itad  Charles,  Ileman  and 
James;  IV.  Charles  A.,  had  Charles  A.,  A.  Henry,  Dewitt  C.  nnd  lul- 
ward  ;  V.  Tracy  B.,  had  Cyrus  II.,  Lewis  G.,  Cliarles  L.  im  i  An..  rt  W. 

37.  WimAll,son  of  Xfheiniah,  (13,)  had,  I.  Isaac,  who  had  Thomas 
and  William;  IL  Lockwood  M.;  III.  William,  bad  £dward;  IV. 
Marcus. 

38.  Lockwood,  son  of  Nehemiali,  (13,)  had,  I.  W.  Wheeler,  b.  17'J4; 
II.  Geori^f  ii.,  b.  180(5,  and  had  Benjamin  L.  and  George  B. ;  UL 
Ilenry  G.,  b.  1820,  had  Robert  W.  and  Lockwood;  IV.  James  G.,  b. 
1822  ;  V.  Frederick  L.,  b.  1825. 

39.  PuiLo,  son  of  Nehemiah,  (13,)  bad  Delauzun,  b.  1808,  who  bad 
George  and  William. 

40.  Delauzun,  son  of  Nehemiah,  (13,)  bad  William  B.,  b.  18 1 1,  who 
had  William  A. 

41.  Joseph,  son  of  David,  (14,)  bad,  I.  Isaac  N.,  h.  1809,  who  had 
Moullon,  Newton,  Henry  C,  Theodore,  Jo.^eph  and  Charles;  IL  John  J., 
b.  1811  ;  III.  James  G.,  b.  1817,  and  had  John  and  Frank. 

42.  Benjamin,  son  of  Isaac,  (15,)  bad,  I.  Isaac,  b.  1791,  who  bad 
Benjamin,  Andrew  and  David  ;  II.  David  b.  180],  had  David. 

43.  I'liiLo,  s-ou  of  John,  (18,)  lived  in  Woodbury,  had,  I.  Marcus,  b. 
1794,  who  bad  John  P.,  Cicorfjo  and  Marcus;  II.  Georuje,  b.  18<>4. 

4  4.  PiiiLO,  son  of  Uezekiah,  (20,)  had,  I.  Clinrlos,  who  had  Chariot; 
n.  David  I).,  had  (;eorn:e  IL  and  Frederick  C;  IIL  John;  IV.  Wil- 
liam, had  Edward ;  V.  Georcje. 

45.  Samuel  A.,  son  of  Ilezekiah,  (20,)  bad,  L  Charles,  who  bad  Wil- 
liam L.  and  Francis  £.;  11.  Spencer  II. 

4G.  David  C,  son  of  Benjamin,  (21,)  and  founder  of  the  "De  Forest 
Fund  "  of  Yale  College,  had  a  son,  Cados  M.,  b.  1813. 

47.  Jons  IL,  8on  of  Benjamin,  (21,)  hat),  I.  George  S.,  b.  1812,  wlio 
bad  Henry  W. ;  IL  Henry  A.,  b.  1814  ;  HL  Andrew  W.,b.  1817,  bad 
Etlward  L.  and  Charles  S. ;  IV.  John  W. 

48.  P>KNJAMi.v,  son  of  Bcnjamiij,  (21.)  iiad,  L  John,  b.  1806,  who  bad 
Erastus  L.;  IL  Samuel  S.,  b.  1811  ;  III.  Benjamin. 

40.  EzuA,  son  of  Benjamin,  (21,)  had,  I.  David  W.,  b.  1809;  IL 
Benjamin  C,  b.  1814,  who  had  l>avid  W.,  Benjamin  I),  and  Ezra. 

50.  Alonzo,  son  of  Isaac,  (22,)  had,  I.  Benjamin  S.,  b.  1 800 ; 
IL  Ezekiel  M.,  b.  1808;  IIL  Samuel  S.,  b.  1811,  bad  Frank  B.;  IV. 
Aaron  G.,  b.  1814. 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


491 


51.  L1K8OK,  SOD  of  Othniel,  (23,)  had,  I.  Charles  U.,  h.  1821 ;  11. 
Linson,  b.  1822,  had  William  H. 

52.  CuAHLBB,  son  of  Othuiel,  (23,)  had,  I.  Charles  B.,  b.  1819,  who 
had  Charles  EL,  Clarence  R.,  Benjamiii  and  William  H. ;  II.  Benjamin, 
b.  1821 ;  III.  Alfred,  b.  1822;  lY.  Othniel,  b.  1826;  V.  David,  b. 
1828;  YI.  Thomas  b.  1832;  YIL  William  H.,  b.  1887;  YIII. 
Linson,  K  1839. 

GUERNSEY,  or  GARXSEY. 

1.  Tradition  says  that  John  Guernsey  emigrated  from  the  L(le  of 
Guernsey,  near  England,  and  settled  at  Milford,  Conn.,  and  that  he  is 
the  progenitor  of  the  Mlowing  fiimily. 

2.  JosiFB,  said  to  be  the  son  of  John,  (1,)  appears  at  Milford,  not  as 
a  free  planter  in  1639,  bnt  as  an  after  planter;  but  John,  his  re- 
puted father,  does  not  appear  on  record  among  dther  class  of  planters^ 
or  otherwise,  that  I  have  been  able  to  discover.  Joseph  m.  Hannah,  dan. 
of  Samuel  Coley,  Sen.,  April  10,  1673,  and  had,  Joseph,  b.  Jan.  18, 
1674 ;  Hannah,  b.  March  4, 1678,  and  probably  others. 

3.  JosBPO,  son  of  Joseph,  (2,)  ro.  Elisabeth  Disbrow,  of  Honieneck, 
who  probably  d.  at  Milford.  He  ro.  2d,  Eleanor,  and  removed  to  Wood- 
bury, Bethlem  society,  where  his  wife  d.  Sept.  15,  1753,  aged  77.  His 
death  occurred  Sept  15,  1734,a.{el  80.  Ch.:  L  Joseph,  b.  1700; 
IL  Ebenexer,  b.  1702 ;  HI.  Jonathan,  b.  1704 ;  lY.  and  Y.  Peter  and 
John,  h.  April  6,  1709;  YL  Betsey,  m.  Joshua  Baldwin,  and  remained 
at  Milford.  * 

4.  JosBPH,  son  of  Joseph,  (3,)  m.  Rachel  — ,  and  settled  in  West- 
bory.  Ch  :  I.  Mary,  m.  Solomon  Steele,  Oct  16,  1760;  IL  Joseph, 
b.  1730;  HI.  Ebenezer,  b.  1731;  lY.  Philena,  ro.  David  Biown  of 
Bethlero ;  Y.  Anna,  m.  Daniel  Steele;  YL  Bethel,  d.  1760,  aged  22; 
YIL  Abijah,  b.  about  1743 ;  YIII,  Job^  b.  1744  or  *46,  d.  uaroarried, 
Feb.  18,  1825 ;  IX.  Rachel,  d.  May,  I751,aj*ed  16. 

5.  Ebbvxzsr,  son  of  Joseph,  (3.)  settled  early  in  Durham,  Conn. 
Ch.:  Lemuel,  Ebenezer,  (a  clergyman,)  Eleanor,  Rhoda,  Catharine* 
Mary,  Sarah  and  Anna. 

6.  Dea.  Jonaiban,  son  of  Joseph,  (3.)  m.  Jan.  6,  1724-5,  Abigail 
Northrop  of  Milford,  who  d.  Oct  18,  1756,  and  he  m.  2d,  Widow  De- 
sire Scovil,  Marsh  10,  1757,  and  d.  June  14,  1776.  His  widow  d.  Jan. 
2,  1795,  aged  87.  He  bought  land  in  Waterbnry  in  1729,  and  re- 
moved thither  early  in  1730,  and  settled  near  the  present  residence  of 
Doct.  Porter,  East  Main  street  He  and  his  brother  purchased  land  in 


Digitized  by  Google 


492 


mSTORT  OF  WATEBBUST. 


the  northwest  section  of  what  is  now  Watertown,  where  he  built  a 
house  and  soon  removed  his  family.  The  location  is  still  known  as 
Guernsey  Town.  Dea.  Jonatlian's  two  first  ch.  were  bom  at  Milford ; 
the  others  in  Waterbury.  They  were  as  follows :  I.  Abigail,  b.  Oct.  29, 
1726,  m.  Elipimlet  Clark,  and  d.  June  17,  1746  ;  II.  Jonathan,  b.  Feb. 
28,  172U;  III.  Amos  b.  July  3,  IV.  David,  b.  April  12,  1734; 

V.  Sarah,  b.  July  7,  1736,  ni.  Timothy  Foote,  and  d.  Oct  22,  1777; 

VI.  Samuel,  b.  Feb.  8,  1739;  VU.  Isaac,  b.  Dec.  11, 1741. 

7.  Peter,  son  of  Joseph,  (3,)  m.  Anne  Gunn  of  Milford,  Dec.  9, 1731, 
and  removed  to  Bethlem.  Cb. :  I.  Solomon,  m.  Nov.  15,  1764,  Sarah, 
dau.  of  James  Kasson  of  Bethlem ;  II.  Richard,  m.  Eunice  Mallory  of 
Washington.  She  belonged  to  the  family  that  was  mnrdeml  by  Davea- 
port.  lie  removed  to  Colebrook — had  a  son,  Milo,  who  became  a  phy- 
sician, also  a  dau.  Polly,  who  d.  in  Bethlem,  July  9,  1788,  aged  18; 
III.  Anna,  b.  1784,  m.  Ebenezer  Guernsey,  d.  Feb.  6,  1804 ;  IV.  Eliza- 
beth ;  y.  Abigail ;  VI.  Sarah. 

8.  John,  son  of  Joseph,  (3,)  m.  Ann,  dau.  of  Dea.  Jeremiah  Peck, 
and  grand-dau.  of  Rev.  Jeremiah  Peck.  lie  settled  in  Litdifield,  North- 
field  society,  removed  thence  to  Amenia,  N.  Y.  Ch. :  I.  John,  b.  Oct. 
28,  1734,  m.  March  24,  1757,  Azubah  Buel;  IL  Anna,  b.  Oct.  1736; 
III.  Peter,  b.  Nov.  18,  1738,  went  to  Stanford,  N.  Y.,  mhtre  he  has  de- 
scendants; IV.  Nathan,  b.  May  14, 1741,  settled  in  Northfield,  and  re* 
moved  thence  to  Half  Moon ;  V.  Dorcas,  b.  Feb.  28, 1744  ;  VL  Noah, 
b.  Aug.  18,  1746,  settled  in  Northfield,  m.  June  7, 1770,  Hannah  Hoi- 
lister,  and  d.  Sept  18,  1820;  VII.  Daniel,  b.  May  80, 1749,  went  to 
Ballston,  N.  Y.,  thence  to  Upper  Canada;  VIII.  Lois,  b.  June  15, 1751 ; 
IX.  Eunice^  b.  Nov.  17, 1754;  X.  Ltaae,  b.  Jan.  20,  1758. 

7.  Joseph,  son  of  Joseph,  (4,)  m.  Mary  Brown,  April  3,  1764,  lived  in 
Watertown.  His  wife  d.  Nov.  6, 1806,  aged  71 ;  he  d.  Nov.  2, 1817. 
Ch. :  L  Mary,  b.  June  14,  1755,  m.  Amos  Hitchcock ;  II.  Anna,  b.  Dec. 
10, 1757,  m.  Col.  Aner  Bradley,  and  d.  July,  1844 ;  IIL  Bethel  Chaun- 
cey,  b.  March  27, 1760,  m.  Betsey  Mallory,  and  had  Joseph,  Landon, 
Chauncey,  Bethel,  Charlotte  and  Betsey.  Charlotte  m.  Henry  S.  At- 
wood  and  Betsey  m.  Harvey  Atwood;  IV.  Moranah,  b.  March  1,  1762, 
m.  Demas  Judd ;  V.  Lucy,  b.  May  22,  1764,  m.  Dr.  E.  Davis,  and  d. 
Sept  1827;  YL  Joseph,  b.  June  18, 1766,  m.  Rachel,  dan.  of  Samuel 
Guernsey,  and  had  Joseph,  Harriet,  Rona,  Smedley,  Hawkinis  Jennette 
and  a  ch.  that  d.  young ;  VII.  Philena,  b.  April  28, 1768,  m.  Dea.  Buck- 
ingham ;  VIIL  Theodore,  b.  April  16, 1770,  m.  Dioderaa  Beach ;  IX. 
Anthony,  b.  Ang.  18,  1773,  m.  Mellisoent  Skilton,  who  d.  May  25, 1839, 
aged  66,  and  he  m.  2d,  Martha  B.  Skilton,  June  7, 1841,  and  d.  Deo.  30, 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX 


403 


1848.  He  had  no  i-sin'  l»y  first  wife  ;  by  second  wife,  Jarvi*  and  Clem- 
entine ;  X.  Friend,  h.  June  23,  1775,  m  Sarah  Cattle,  who  d.  Oct.  23, 
1801,80(1  he  m.  Mary  A.  Atwood,  and  d.  Ovit.  20,  1835.    IIU  ch. 

were  :  DeDiif,  b.  Sept.  22,  1796,  m.  father  Bryan;  Augusta,  m.  

llawkins. 

10.  Eiiknezkh,  son  of  .losepli.  (4,)  ni.  Anna,  dau.  of  IVtor  (Miornsey. 
He  lived  in  15.  thk-ni,  and  d.  Feb.  G,  1804.  Ch. :  I.  liacl:.  !.  rn.  Tims 
UotcbkiM  of  Waterbury  ;  II.  £uDioe,  m.  Kbenezer  Church  ;  HI.  riiilo, 
m.  Irena  Murray,  went  to  Genesee,  and  d.  about  1807  ;  IV.  Peter,  b. 
OcL  20,  1767,  in.  Lucina  Minor  of  Woodbury,  June  4,  1793,  and  d. 
Oct  11,  1824.  His  cIi.  were,  Lucy,  m.  O.  Cowles;  Mary,  in.  Joel  At- 
wood; iMt'iliscent,  b.  Oct.  12,  1801,  in.  Willis  Downs,  now  of  \V<M)d- 
bury  :  Julia,  b.  Dec.  180.'),  d.  1828  ;  Harriet,  b.  1808,  m.  Harlow  liua- 
st  ll  of  Watertown ;  Susan,  b.  IHH,  d.  youn^;;  V.  Anna,  ni.  Moses 
Wright  of  Colt-brook;  VI.  Abijah,  b.  April  1,  1774,  m.  Anne  Hotch- 
kii«  of  Waterbury,  April  IG,  1797,  an.l  <1.  Oct.  IC,  1846.  Ho  bad 
EbenezfT.  b.  1798,  in.  Maria  Cowles  of  Bethiem;  Althea,  b.  1799,  ra. 
A'^ali.  I  Il'iulikiss,  and  d.  in  Sh.aron,  Sept.  9,  1836  ;  Hannah,  ra.  Amos 
Hotchkiss  of  Sharon;  !>  b.  1603;  Minerva,  b.  1805;  Uenrieit;!, 
b.  1808,  m.  Amos  Clark  of  Watertown. 

11.  Abuah,  son  of  Joseph,  (4,)  in.  Lucy  Bellamy,  who  d.  May  28, 

1805,  aged  60.    He  in.  2d,  Araminta   ,  and  d.  May  22,  1819. 

Ch.:  I.  Frances,  b.  March,  1778,  m.  March  10,  1?99,  Solomon  G. 
Steele,  and  d.  in  1802  ;  H.  Silence,  b.  July  14,  1781,  m.  Tola  Webster, 
JFeb.  10,  1804  ;  HI.  William,  b.  Jan.  25,  1784,  m.  March  13,  1805, 
Hannah  Parker  of  Waltingford,  and  had  Nancy  Ann,  Joshua  Sherman, 
Pbilena,  John  J.  and  Rebecca;  IV.  A  dau.,  d.  young. 

12.  JoNATHAK,  son  of  Dea.  Jonathan,  (6,)  m.  Desire,  dau.  of  Joseph 
Bronson,  June  5,  1755,  and  d.  April  10,  1805,  in  Watertown.  She  d. 
Deo.,  1796.  Ch.:  I.  Mellicent,  b.  Maroh  24,  1756,  d.  Aug.,  1756; 
IL  Mellicent,  b.  May  21,  1757,  m.  Lieut  Osborne,  Dec  6, 1771,  d.  in 
1803;  UL  Daniel,  b.  July  18,  1760,  m.  Huldah  Seymour,  of  Water- 
town,  removed  to  Blue  Lick,  Indiana,  and  d.  April  28,  1840.  lie 
had,  William,  m.  Hannah  French,  and  was  drowned,  May,  1839 ;  Sey- 
mour, m.  Blakeslee  of  Watertown,  and  resides  at  Blue  Lick,  In- 
diana; Grey;  Mellicent,  m.  Isaac  Townaend;  Anna, m.  Briggw ; 
Polly,  m.  Jacob  Lane;  Bronson,  m.  —  Kelly,  and  lives  m  Iowa ;  IV. 
Southmayd,  b.  April  10, 1763,  m.,  Sabra  Scott,  of  Watertown,  and  bad 
Raphael,  who  d.  in  1837;  Laura,  m.  Nehemiah  Clark;  Rebecca,  m. 
Asahel  Stone,  of  Michigan ;  Jonathan,  resides  in  Michigan ;  Amanda, 
wife  of  Jonatlian  Comer  of  Ashley,  Ohio ;  Y.  James,  b.  March  27, 


Digitized  by  Google 


494 


BISTORT  Ot  WATERBUBT. 


17C7,  m.  Anner  Blakeslee  of  I^lvniouih,  June  3,  1708,  who  d.  March 
14,  1801,  and  he  m.  2 J,  Deborah,  dan.  of  Deacon  David  Wilcockson 
of  Huntington,  Jan.  12,  180G.    He  d.  Nov.  '23,  1853;  his  widow,  Jan. 

10,  1854,  aged  83.  He  lived  in  Watertown.  Ch.  :  Adele,  b.  Auir-  10, 
1799,  d.  Dec.  1,  1799;  Anner,  b.  July  4,  1807,  ni.  David  H.  Curtiss  of 
Woodbury,  April  26,  1820;  Maria,  b.  Aug.  3,  1809,  m.  William  r>as- 
Eett  of  Litchfield,  July  25,  1832,  and  resides  in  Watertown  ;  David  li., 
d.  Sept.  1,  1828,  aged  14;  VI.  Sidney,  b.  May  7,  1772,  m.  Abner 
Hard  of  W^atertown,  Nov.  10,  1814. 

13.  .\mos,  son  of  Dea.  Jonathan,  (6,)  in.  Esther,  dau.  of  Joseph 
lilake  of  Wat.  rbury,  Feb.  10,  1  75G.    Ch. :  I.  Abigail,  b.  Nov.  0,  1  750  ; 

11.  Amos,  b.  Oct.  23,  1758,  went  Uj  the  State  of  N.  Y.,  had  two  eh.; 
HI.  Esther,  b.  JuueO,  17G0,  d.  Sept.  5,  1780;  IV.  Joi-l,  b.  Jan.  11, 

1703,  m.  1st,  Strickland,  2d,  Fanny  Ju<ld  of  Windsor,  N.  Y., 

had  by  his  lirst  wife,  W'illiam  and  Blake,  by  2d,  Mary  P.,  Ruth  M.  and 

Fanny  P.;  V.  Eldad,  b.  Sept.  5,  1704,  m.  Strickland,  nn*l  went 

lo  the  State  of  N.  Y.;  VT.  Annis,  !>.  1706,  d.  same  year;  VII.  Annis, 

b.  I767,m.  Stowc  ;  VIH.  Ruth,  b.  March  2,  J  769,  m.  S.  Atwood,  d, 

in  1801;  IX.  Parthena,  b.  Marcl>  (>,  1771,  m.  O4)orne;  X.  Phel>e, 

m.  AVhitmoro  of  Uarpersfield,  N.  Y.;  XI.  Sybil,  ni.  Wells. 

Amos,  the  father  of  this  faiuiij,  removed  to  the  State  of  N.  Y^  where 
he  died. 

14.  Danikl,  son  of  Dea.  Jonathan,  (0,)  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Samuel 
Judd,  June  0,  1754.  She  d.  in  1770,  and  he  m.  Abigail  Turner,  and 
removed  to  llariuMsfield,  N.  Y,  Ch. :  I.  Hannah,  b.  April,  1755,  m. 
 Doolitlle;  II.  Irene,  b.  Sej)t.  19,  KiiO,  m.  Dea.  Dayton  of  Wa- 
tertown, and  d.  Feb.  27,  1783  ;  III.  David,  b.  March  3,  1758,  m.  Mary, 
dau.  of  William  Judd,  removed  to  Uarpersfield,  N.  Y.,  and  had  a 
child,  which  d.  in  1791,  also  Hannah,  Miranda,  Pamelia,  Sally  and 
Polly;  lY.  Rebekah,  b.  March  30,  1700,  m.  Christopher  Merriam,  of 
Watertown  ;  V.  Olive,  b.  May  4,  1762,  m.  James  Merriam,  and  d. 

Feb.  10.  1798;  VI.  Isaac,  m.  Judd,  and  lived  at  Uarpersfield,  N. 

Y. ;  VII.  Sarah,  ra.   Mattoon,  and  went  to  Vt. ;  VIII.  Elizabeth, 

m.  Hanison,  and  went  to  WUitestown,  N.  Y. ;  IX.  Ezra  ;  X 

Esther. 

15.  Samuel,  son  of  Dea.  Jonathan,  (G,)  m.  Rachel  Latimer,  of  Mil- 
ford,  (?)  May  10,  1704,  who  d.  in  1765,  and  he  m.  C.  Smedley  and  d.  at 
Naugatuck,  in  1819.  Ch.  :  I.  Samuel,  b.  April,  1765,  went  to  Canada, 
and  d.  there  ;  II.  Rachel,  b.  Aug.  13,  1767,  m.  Joseph  Guernsey.  Jr.; 
III.  Irene,  (?)  b.  May  22,  1770  ;  IV.  Currence,  b.  May  28,  1772,— 
probably  others. 


Digitized  by  Google 


495 


16.  Isaac,  son  of  Dea.  Jonathan,  (6,)  is  said  to  have  !<ettled  in 
Northampton,  Ma^s.,  A\here  he  ni.  Culliver  and  <i.  soon  after. 

17.  John,  son  of  John,  (8,)  had  in  Lilclitield,  Azubah,  b.  July  6, 
1758  ;  Sarali,  b.  \u^.  'SO,  17G0.  lie  removed  to  Ameniai  N,  Y,,  where 
be  liad  Isaac,  Lois,  Racliel,  Ebenezer  and  Rhoda. 

1  8.  NoAU,  son  of  John,  (8,)  lived  in  Northtield.  Ch.  :  I.  ILmnah, 
b.  May  10,  1771,  m.Tlionuw  Merriam,  of  AVaterlown,  and  had  eij^lit 
ch. ;  II.  Rachel,  b.  Sept.  3,  1773,  m.  I-^aac  Clark  of  Watertown,  and 
had  seven  ch.  ;  III.  Samuel,  b.  Aug.  31,  1775,  ni.  1st,  Laura  Julinson, 
2d,  Mabel  Lleaton  ;  IV.  Koah,  b.  Eeb.  5,  1778,  d.  1778  ;  V.  Anna, 
b.  Aug.  12,  1779,  m.  Levi  lleaton,  and  d.  about  1818, — had  live  clu; 
VI.  Clarissa,  b.  March  18,  1782,  m.  Elijah  Warner,  and  had  four  ch.  ; 
VIL  Polly,  b.  May  27,  1785,  m.  Gervase  Hlakeslee  ;  VIII.  Noah,  b. 
1787,  d.  1788;  IX.  John,  b.  March  20,  1780.  m.  Laura  Morse  and 
resides  in  Nortlifield  ;  X.  Nonli,  li.  April  IB,  1793,  ni.  Amauda  Cro&bjr ; 
XL  Caroline,  b.  1797,  d.  1801. 

HARRISON. 

1.  Thomas  Harrisov,  from  England,  seUled  in  New  Haven,  in  that 
part  now  East  Haren.  He  took  the  oath  of  fidelity  at  New  Haven, 
April  4,  1654.  He  had  three  brothers  who  came  with  him  to  tliis 
country,  viz:  Richard,  Benjamin  and  Nathaniel.  Richard  was  a  few 
years  at  Branfbrd»  but  removed  to  New  Jersey.  Nathaniel  and  Ben- 
jamin settled  in  YirgiuiA.  Benjamin,  it  is  said,  was  grandfather  of  the 
late  President  William  H.  Harrison.  Thomas  m.  1st,  the  wid.  of  John 
Thompson  of  New  Haven,  and  2d,  wid.  Elisabeth  Stent,  March  29, 
1666.  His  ch.  were,  Thomas,  b.  March  1,  1657 ;  Nathaniel,  b.  Pec. 
13,  1658;  Elizabeth*  b.  Jan.  1667 ;  John;  Samuel;  Isaac  and  Mary. 

2.  Thomas,  son  of  Thos.  (1,)  m.  Margaret  Stent,  dau.  of  his  step 
mother.  Ch. :  I.  Lydia,  b.  1690 ;  U.  Jemima,  b.  1692 ;  HL  Thomas,  b. 
Oct  12, 1694,  removed  to  Litchfield ;  lY.  Abigail,  b.  Nov.  17,  1696 ;  V. 
Benjamin,  b.  Aug.  7,  1698,  settled  in  Waterbury;  VI.  Joseph,  b.  May 
25, 1700 ;  Yll.  David,  b.  Febw  7,  1702 ;  YHI.  Aaron,  U  March  4, 1704, 
d.  1708 ;  IX.  Jacob,  b.  Cot  23,  1708,  d.  1748. 

3.  Thomas,  sod  of  Thos.  (2,)  m.  Elizabeth  Sutliflf;  April  21, 1721,  and 
lived  for  a  time  in  the  east  part  of  North  Branford.  He  purchased  1000 
acres  of  land  in  Litchfield,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  parish  of  South 
Farms,  to  which  he  removed  in  1639.  He  gave  100  acres  of  land  to 
each  of  his  nine  sonS|  reserving  only  100  for  himself.  He  was  cho»en 
deacon  of  the  First  church  in  Litchfield  in  1755.  Ch. :  Thoma.«, 
Ephraim,  Gideon,  Titus,  Abel,  Jacob,  Lemuel,  Elihn  and  Levi. 


Digitized  by  Google 


m 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATEKBITRT. 


4.  Bknjamix,  son  of  Thos.  (2.)  id.  On.  10,  1720,  Mary  ,  an-l 

s.'ttled  in  Fariiiino;bury  j)arisli,  Waterbury.    He  d.  iu  17GU,  loav'nijj:  his 

will'  Mary  aud  ch.,  viz:  Abigail,  m.    Warner;  Uenjaniiii  auU 

Aaron. 

5.  Lkmi  kl,  son  of  Tlios.  (3.)  m.  "in  his  24ili  ye.ir,"  Lois  Barnes, 
Feb.  18,  1702,  and  d.  Sept.  U,  1807.  Cli. :  I.  Tinioihy,  b.  17G3,  d. 
18U0;  II.  Lemuel,  b.  1765,  in.  Sarab,  dau.of  Tlios.  Clark,  is  iivin?  in 
Waterbury;  III.  James,  b.  1707  ;  IV.  Pbebe,  b.  1709,  d.  17')7  ;  V. 
AVorster,  b.  1772  ;  VI.  Onley,  b.l774  ;  VIT.  Lois,b.l776;  VllL  An- 
drew, b.  1779,  d.  IblO  ;  IX.  Caroline,  b.  1785. 

0.  liKN.i.vMiN,  son  of  Benj.  (4,)  in.  Dinah,  <Iau.  of  Benj.  Warner,  Dec. 
24,  1741,  and  d.  March  13,  1700,  in  his  .'iOth  year.  Ch.:  I.  James,  b. 
Oct.  1742,  d.  1700;  IL  Jabez,  b.  Oct.  1744  ;  III.  Lydi:^  b.  Sept.  1747  ; 
IV.  Samuel,  b.  Sept.  1750,  d.  1750;  V.  Rozel,  b.  Dec  1751  ;  VL  Dan- 
iel, b.  July,  1754,  m.  Bliebo  Bluke-^lee,  1774. 

7.  Aauon,  son  of  Benj.  (4.)  ra.  Jeruslia,  dau.  of  Obed  Warner,  Oct. 
26,  1748.  He  was  chosen  deacon  of  the  church  in  Farmingbury,  (n.»\v 
Wolcott.)  at  its  organization,  Nov.  18,  1773,  wliich  office  lie  coinimied 
to  fill  until  his  death.  Ch. :  I.  Jared,  b.  1740;  Mark,  b.  Aug.  1751, 
ra.  Kebeeca  Miles,  1775  ;  III.  Samuel,  b.  March,  1753  ;  IV.  David,  b. 
March,  1750;  Y.  Join,  b. Dec.  1758, d.  1770  ;  VL  Lucy,  b.  March,  1702. 

HTCKOX, 

mCDX,  lIlKtUX,   IlKCorK,  UUKCOCK,  <tc. 

1.  Sergt.  Saml  kl  IIickox,  had  ch. :  Sanuu  l,  Hannah,  William, 
Thomas  Joseph,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Stephen,  Benjamin,  Mercy,  Ebenezer. 
(See  p.  148.) 

2.  JosF.i'ii,  probably  brother  of  Samuel,  (1.)  lived  in  Farmington  ;tii>l 
Waterbury.  From  the  latter  }>!ace  he  wcul  to  Woodbury,  where  he 
d.  in  1()H7,  leaving  the  tollowing  cli.  :  I.  Joseph,  m.  Kuih  Fain-hild 
of  Woodbury,  in  10'»7  ;  II.  iW'Tijauiiu,  m.  Hannah  Skeel  of  \\'(.M.U.ur\ , 
in  1097;  III.  Mary,  m,  Joseph  (iaylord,  Jr.,  of  Waterl)ury,  w.-nt  t'» 
Durham  ;  IV.  EHzalH-tli,  m.  John  r;aylv)rtl  of  Waterbury  ;  V.  Samuel, 
m.,  liad  a  family  and  lived  iu  Woodbury.  (See  Cotlirens  Wooiibury, 
p.  564.) 

3.  Sami'kl,  son  of  Sergt.  Samuel,  (1,)  had  ch.  as  follows:  I.  A  dau.; 
II.   K!>eriezer,  went  to  Danbury  ;  III.  Samu.  l;   IV.  John;  V.  Han 
nah;  VL  Elizabeth;  VIL  A  son;  VilL  Gideon;  IX.  Sarah ;  X. 
Silence. 

4.  Capt.  WiLL!AM,  fK>n  of  Samuel,  (1,)  bad  ch.:  L   ;  IL  Wil- 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPBXoix.  '  497 

Ham;  III.  Samuel;  IV.  Abraham;  V.  John;  [V.  Raboisoa;  VIL 
Rachel;  VIH.  Hanoah. 

5.  Dea.  Thomas,  son  of  SiinujI,  (I.)  C  ». :  I.  Thomas,  b.  0^:1.  25, 
1701;  II.  Mary,  b.  May  28,  1701.  d.  April  31),  170iJ;  III.  Mary,  b. 
March  9,  1700-7,  m.  Doa.  Jo'm  Warner;  iV.  Svr.ili,  b.  Jin.  2,  1709- 

10,  rn.  Daniel  Benedict;  V.  Mercy,  m.  Isaac  Hopkins;  VI.  Ainoi,  b. 
Aug.  19,  1715;  VII.  Jonas,  b.  Ojt.  30,  1717;  VIIL  Sini^I.  b.  Aii^. 
30,  1720;  IX.  Susanna,  b.  M4rdi  2.>,  1721,  m.  Qwrgi  Nich»U.  Djo. 
15,  1741 ;  X  James,  b.  June  26,  1726,  d.  young. 

C.  Ehesezer,  son  of  Samuel,  (1,)  m.  1st,  Esther  Uine,  Deo.  1714, 
2«1,  Abigail,  daii.  of  Sarauel  Stevens  of  West  Haven,  Aug.  28,  1729. 
He  removed  to  Bethel  soc.  in  Daobuiy.  Hb  ch.  recorded  in  Water- 
buiy,  were  as  follows :  I.  Esther,  b.  July  10, 1715,  m.  Stephen  KeUey, 
son  r)f  St.  p'ien  of  Wethersfield,  Aug.  25,  1733 ;  II.  Sarauel,  b.  Dec. 
20,  1710;  III.  Ambrose,  b.  SepU  2,  1718;  IV.  Elizabeth,  b.  Sept 
1 720,  ra.  Richard  Nichols,  Aug.  10,  1744  ;  Y.  Abigail,  b.  Aog.  8,  1 722  ; 
VI.  Ebenezer,  b.  July  21,  1730;  VII.  David,  b. 'Jan.  30,  1782;  VIII. 
John,  b.  April,  17,  1734 ;  IX.  Seth,  b.  Dec.  5,  1741. 

7.  £binxzer,  son  of  Samuel,  (3,)  settle  1  in  Bethel  soc,  Danbury, 
about  1725.   He  had  sons,  Ebenezer,  Maj.  Benjamin  and  C<ipt.  Samuel. 

8.  JoHs,  son  of  Samuel,  (3,)  m.  Miry,  dau.  of  Joieph  Gaylord  of 
Durham,  Nov.  18,  1719,  and  probably  had  children. 

9.  GiOBON-,  son  of  Samuel,  (3,)  m.  M  iry,  dau.  of  Stephen  Upaon,  Aug. 
15,.1734.  Ch.:  I.  James, b.  Feb.  11, 1734-5, drowned,  Feb.  12,  1744-5  ; 

11.  Jemima,  b.  Nov.  24,  1730,  m.  Ira  Beebe,  Aug.  1758  ;  III.  Siinuel, 
b.  Sept  1,  1799;  IV.  Saruh,  b.  June  3,  1744,  m.  Austin  Smith;  V. 
Junes,  b.  Nov.  28,  1746 ;  VI.  Lucy,  b.  June  20, 1749;  VIL  Gideon,  b. 
May  4,  1752  ;  VIIL  Eliaabeth,  b.  Nov.  28,  1754. 

10.  Capt  Samuel,  son  of  William,  (4,)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  John  Uop- 
kini,  March  8,  1721,  and  d.  May  13.  1765.  She  d.  Aog.  19,  1708. 
Ch. :  L  Mary,  b.  Oct  30,  1721,  m.  Richard  Seymour,  May  20,  1740,  d. 
July  15,  1744;  IL  Mehitable,  b.  Nov.  22,  1723,  m.  Stephen  Seymour, 
Maioh  18,  1741,  d.  May  9,  1767 ;  III.  William,  b.  Jan.  14,  1725-6  ; 
IV.  Abraham,  b.  Jan.  11,  1727-8  ;  V.  John,  b.  July  20,  1730;  VL 
Samuel,  b.  Sept  8,  1783;  VIL  Dorcas,  b.  July  11,  1786,  m.  John 
Welton,  Jan.  5, 1758. 

11.  Tbomab,  son  of  Dea.  Thomas,  (5,)  m.  Miriam,  wid.  of  Samuel 
Richards,  April  19,  1786,  and  d.  Dec  28,  1787.  His  wife  d.  March  13, 
1780.  Ch.:  L  Thomas,  b.  April  4,  1737;  IL  Susanna,  b.  March  30, 
1739;  IIL  Daniel,  b.  Deo.  16,  1742;  IV.  James,  b.  Jan.  19,  1747-8, 
d.  1749 ;  V.  James,  b.  May  8,  1755. 

32 


Digitized  by  Google 


408 


mSIOBT  OF  VATEBBITBT. 


12.  Amos,  son  of  Dea.  Thomas,  (o,)  in.  Mercy,  wi.l.  of  Benjamin 
llicluinls,  March  15,  1740.  She  d.  July  19,  1787.  He  d.  March  1, 
1805.  Ch.:  I.  Freelove,  b.  April  28,  1741,  m.  Stephen  Scott,  Nov.  30, 
1758;  II.  Araos,  b.  March  18,  1742-3,  d.  1749  ;  HI.  Eli*ha,  b.  March 
3,  1744-5:  IV.  Mercy,  b.  Jan.  25,  1740-7,  d.  1762;  V.  Amo«,  b. 
Nov.  12,  1749  ;  VI.  Joseph,  b.  March  12,  1752. 

13.  Dea.  Samuel,  son  of  I>ea.  Thomas,  (5,)  was  one  of  tl>e  early  set- 
tlers of  Westbury,  and  contributed  much  towards  the  e>tabli!>hraent  of 
the  goo«i  state  of  society,  which  has  ever  jirevailed  in  that  town.  lie 
was  a  den.  in  the  church,  capt,  of  the  militiA,  representative  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assemblv,  ikr.  lie  i^ave  freedom  to  the  only  slave  he  ever  owned, 
lie  ni.  Ist,  Eiizabelh,  dan.  or  George  Welton,  Nov.  20,  1741.  She  d. 
June  7,  1809,  and  his  death  occurred  April  0,  1811.  Ch.:  I.  Jonas, 
b.  Aucr.  20,  1742,  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Eliphalet  Clark,  in  1700.  and  d. 
in  Sept.  0,  1820;  II.  Mary,  b.  Jan.  12,  1744-5,  d.  same  montli ;  III. 
Mary,  b.  Sept.  10,  1746,  d.  1749;  IV.  Samuel,  b.  June  9,  1749;  V. 
Elizabetli,  b.  April  29,  1752,  m.  Thoma.-?  l>ronson,  Aug.  25,  1774;  VI. 
Hannah,  b.  Aug.  24.  1754,  m.  John  Nettleton,  Jr.  and  d.  Aug.  8,  1784. 
He  d.  Sept.  19,  18u8  ;  Vlb  Eli,  b.  June  17,  1757,  m.  Mary  liucking- 
ham,  and  d.  April  30,  1788.  She  d.  Sept.  26,  1827  ;  Vlll.  Josiah,  b. 
Sept.  9,  1760. 

14.  Amorosr,  son  of  Ebenezer,  (7,)  lived  in  Waterbury,  m.  Eunice, 
dau.  of  Caleb  Clark,  Dec.  11,  1740,  and  <1.  June  1,  1792,  a.  74.  Ch.: 
I.  Ambrose,  b.  Aug.  28,  1741,  m.  Mary,  dau.  ot'Joiin  Dowd  of  Middle- 
town,  June,  1702,  and  had  Eunice  and  Gideon;  II.  Iluth,  b.  Dec.  18, 
1743,  m.  Abijah  Wilmot ;  III.  Gi.le»>n,  b.  April  19,  1746,  d.  1703;  IV. 
Margery,  b.  Oct.  6,  1748  ;  V.  Marcy,  b.  S^pt,  26,  1752  ;  VI.  Ebenezer, 
b.  .May  20,  1754  ;  VII.  Benjamin,  b.  April  19,  1756,  d.  1769. 

15.  Joiis,  son  of  Ebenezer,  (0.)  m.  Lydia  Kellogg,  March  29,  1757. 
She  was  b.  April  5,  1740.  Cli.  :  I.  Jolin,  b.  Sept.  24,  1759,  d.  Sept. 
1776;  II.  Lydia,  b.  Jan.  2,  1702,  n).  Jesse  Iwichards ;  III.  Seth,  b.  Jan. 
6,  1764,  d.  March  5,  1773  ;  IV.  Jesse,  b.  Nov.  4, 1769  ;  V.  Rachel  B., 
b,  July  3,  1771,  m.  Stephen  Camp  ;  VI.  Seth,  b.  Sept.  22,  1773,— was 
living  in  1866,  at  New  Canaan;  VII.  Eliaseph,  b.  May  29,  1776, d. 
Oct  7, 1777 ;  VUL  Pentnab,  (?)  b.  Feb.  15,  1778,  m.  Ezra  Hoyi ;  IX. 
Mellitoent,  b.  Sept  14, 1780,  m.  Jonatbaii  B.  Benedict 

16.  Ebbnkbb,  son  of  Ebeneser,  (7,)  had  a  son  Zar,  who  was  father 
of  Rer.  Laurens  P.  Hiokok,  D.  D.,  formerly  pastor  of  the  Congrega- 
tional chnrohes  at  Kent  and  Litdifield,  Conn.  From  Litchfield  he 
went  to  the  Western  Beserre  College,  where  he  was  a  professor  several 
years,  and  thence  to  the  Theological  Semtnaiy,  Auburn,  K.  Y.,  where  he 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


APPENDIX. 


was  mko  a  piofeiaor.  He  is  at  present  (1856)  in  Union  CoL,  Roches- 
ter,  N.  Y, 

17.  Maj.  BcmMiii,  son  of  Ebeneiert  (7,)  bad  a  son  Eli,  who  was 
fiOher  of  Benjamin  Eli  Hickoz  of  New  York  Oity. 

18.  Capt  Samuel,  son  of  Ebeaeier,  (7,)  had  sons,  L  Daniel,  m.  and 
had  Ely,  Plinley,  Surr,  Nathaniel  Hoyt  and  Amos.  Plioley  is  father 
of  Rev.  nenry,  of  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  also  of  George  S.  and  Francis  S.  of 
New  York  City ;  11.  Noah,  had  John  and  Harvey  of  New  York  City ; 

III.  Amos,  d.  at  Fort  George,  in  1814. 

19.  Samuel,  son  of  Gideon.  (9,)  m.  Eleanor,  dau.  of  Obadiah  War- 
ner, Jane  4, 1761.  She  d.  Nov.  14, 1767,  and  hem.  2cl,  Clinrity  Dixon, 
Nov.  10,  1768.  Ch.:  I.  Aaee,  b.  Aug.  14,  1762  ;  II.  Enos,  h.  April 
22,  1764  ;  III.  A  dan.,  b.  Nov.  24,  1765  ;  IV.  A  son,  b.  Sept.  3,  1767  ; 

V.  Silvia,  b.  Jan.  20, 1770;  VI.  Chrnity,  b.  July  15,  1773  ;  VIL  Sam- 
uel Johnson,  b.  Oct.  31,  1775  ;  VIII.  Sophia,  b.  July  26,  1778. 

20.  James,  son  of  Gideon.  (0,)  m.  Hannah,  daik  of  Austin  Smith, 
Nov.  28,  1766.   Ch. :  I.  Olive,  b.  May  7,  1774. 

21.  Gideon,  son  of  Gideon,  (9,)  m.  Phebe,  dau.  of  Austin  Smith, 
Anir.  29,  1771.  Ch.:  I.  David,  b.  Dec.  8,  1772;  II.  Sarah,  b.  April 
13,  1774;  IIL  Folly,  b.  Mansh  4,  1777;  IV.  llannah  S.,  b.  July  2, 
1781. 

22.  William,  son  of  Ca]>t.  Snmuel,  (9,)  m.  Lydia  Seymour,  April 
4,  1745,  who  d.  June  19,  1762,  and  he  m.  2d,  Abigail,  dau.  of  Edmund 
Scott,  Jan.  12,  1763.  Ch.:  I.  William,  b.  Jan.  14,  174G  ;  II.  Consider, 
b.  June  21,  1748;  III.  Abigail,  b.  July  28,  1751,  m.  Thomas  Wclton; 

IV.  Lydia,  b.  July  29,  1757;  V.  Rebecca,  b.  Oct.  14,  1759;  VI.  Chloe, 
b.  Feb.  7,  1764;' VII.  Hannah,  b.Oct.  31,  1765  ;  VilL  Asahel,  b.  No?. 
22,  1767. 

23.  Capt.  Abraham,  son  of  Capt.  S.imuel,  (10,)  m.  Jemima,  dau.  of 
Thomas  Footo,  April  1 !),  1718.  She  d.  May  20,  1779.  Iled.in  1777  or 
1778,  in  the  British  army.  Ch. :  I.  Mary,  b.  July  2, 1 748,  m.  Seba  Bron- 
son;  II.  Lucy,  b.  Feb.  13,  1740-50,  m.  Simeon  Scott;  III.  Jesse,  b. 
April  12,  1752  ;  IV^  Jared,  b.  Jan.  15,  1756  ;  V.Joel,  b.  April  8,  1858  ; 

VI.  Titnothy,  b.  Jan.  5,  1761  ;  VII.  Abraham,  b.  June  2,  176a;  Vlll. 
Samuel,  b.  Jan.  1,  1707  ;  IX.  Preserved,  b.  Nov.  6,  1708. 

24.  JouK,  son  of  CapL  Samuel,  (10,)  m.  Aner,  dau.  of  Doct.  Benja* 
min  Warner,  July  1,  1754.  Ch. :  I.  Asa,  b.  Jan.  23,  1755;  II.  Joanna, 
b.  Sept.  7,1756;  III.  Sabra,  h.  Aug.  21,  1759;  IV.  Aner,  b.  March 
24,  170}  ;  V.  Lucintia,  b.  Marcii  6,  KG.*?;  VI.  J..hn,  b.  Jan.  14,  1765; 

VII.  Mary,  1..  March  16,  1707  ;  VllL  William  W,  b.  Feb.  i,  1769  ;  IX. 
Sarah  Anna,  b.  Jan.  7,  1771. 


500 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBBBiniT. 


25.  Thomas,  son  of  Dea.  Tlionms,  (11,)  m.  Lois.  dau.  of  Thomas 
Richanla,  July  17,  1760.  She  d.  May  11»  1704,  and  he  m.  2d,  Thank- 
ful, dau.  of  Stephen  Seymour,  May  12,  1766.    Ch.  :  I.  Sarah,  b.  May 

12,  1762;  II.  Loi8,  b.  March  29,  1766,  d.  1766  ;  III.  ThomaH,  b.  Oct,  19, 
1776  ;  IV.  Lois  U.,  b.  Oct.  29, 1769  ;  V.  Mark,  b.Mnj  23, 1773  ;  VL  lr% 
b.  March  24,  1775  ;  VII.  Isaac,  b.  July  6,  1778. 

26.  Daniel,  son  of  Dea.  Tliomas,  (11,)  m.  Sibel  Bartholomew,  or 
WiliianiP,  Jitn.  15,  1766,  who  d.  April  2,  1774,  and  he  in.  2d,  Phebe 

Orton,  July  5,  1775.    Ch.:  I.  Caleb,  b.  Oct.  18,  1766,  m.  Scovill, 

and  d.  March  9,  1813.  IIo  was  fjiiher  of  Etlward  Hickox  of  Water- 
town.  II.  Daniel,  b.  Feb.  11,  1769,  ni.  Tolly  Brown,  and  d.  Oct.  21, 
182-} ;  III.  Mary, b.  May  5, 1771, d.  1772  ;  IV.Chauncey,  b.  July  12, 1 773 ; 
V.  Eleazer,  b.  July  25,  1776  ;  VI.  Mary,  b.  Jan.  23,  1778  ;  VII.  Uri,  b. 
Aug.  8,  1770  ;  vill.  Merriam,  b.  Aug.  1.  1781;  iX.  S^bbel,  b.  OcU 

13,  1783. 

27.  Samuel,  st^n  of  Samuel,  (13,)  m.  Dec.  5,  1 7 7 1,  Sarah  Scoviil,  who 
d.  Oct.  1,  1776.    lie  d.  Sept.  9,  1778.— no  ch. 

28.  JosiAH,  son  of  Samuel,  (13,)  m.  I'hebe,  dau.  of  John  Sttuldard 
of  Woodbury,  Dec.  2,  1779,  and  d.  Sept.  20,  1786.  Ch.:  L  Hannah,  b. 
April  6,  1781,  m.  Asa  Woodward,  April  6,  1801.  She  d.  April  14, 
18.}1.  Ch. :  I.  Charles  S.  W(.odwar.l— re-ides  in  Northfield.  II.  Sara- 
ucl,  1..  Jan.  17,  1783,  m.  Iluldali  liraaiey,  and  d.  Oct.  1839.  Fie  had  a 
Son  Sanuh'l  .losiah,  b.  Oct.  20,  1806,  and  d.  Oct.  18, 1832.  111.  Josiah, 
b.  Feb.  13,  1780,  d.  Jan.  10,  1787. 

29.  Jksse,  son  of  John,  (15,)  ni.  Bet<ey  Hoy t,  Nov.  24,  1791, — res^id- 
ed  in  New  Canaan,  until  his  ch.  were  born, — removed  thence  to  Sarato- 
ga Co.,  N.  V. — thence  to  Cayujja  Co.,  ami  d.  near  Newark,  Wavne  Co., 
N.  Y.,  Oct.  8,  1826.  Ch. :  I.John  H.,  b.  Nov.  27,  1792,  d.  Jan.  14, 
1841  ;  II.  Albert,  b.  July  23,  1707— removed  to  Michigan  about  1820. 
and  lives,  (1857.)  in  Hlis-tield,  Lenawee  Co.,  Mich. ;  III.  Emeline,  h.  Nov. 
13,  1800,  m.  Doct.  Georjre  U.  Towers,  and  d.  Oct.  24, 1 854  ;  IV.  Emilia, 
b.  July  23,  1802,  m.  S.  A.  Holbrook  ;  V.  Elizabeth,  b.  May  23,  1804, 

m.  Rev.  Solomon  Stearns,  and  lives  iu  Somerset,  Mich. ;  VL  liev.  S.  , 

b.  1809,  d.  Oct.  7,  1820. 

30.  Sami  KL  J..  Aon  of  Samuel,  (19,)  m.  Laura,  dau.  of  Amos  Culver, 
Oct.  15,  1800.  Ch.:  L  Selden,  b.  Sept.  22,  1801,  d.  1803  ;  II.  Sally,  K 
Ant:.  3,  1804;  IV.  Samuel  H.,  b.  .\pril  16,  1810— perhaps  others. 

31.  Jesss,  son  of  Capt.  Abraham,  (23.)  m.  Hannah  Stron<;,  July  27, 
1775,  who  d.  Dec.  21,  1778,  and  he  m.  2d,  Rhoda  Thomas,  A].ril  26, 
1780.  She  d.  Feb.  20,  1781,  and  he  m.  3d,  Hannah,  wid.  of  Natiianiel 
Tompkins,  Aug.  16,  1781.  Ch.:  L  Zenas,  b.  Jime  7,  1776  ;  II.  Molly, 
b  Dec  17,  1777;  III.  A  aoii,  b.  Feb.  14,  1781— perhaps  others. 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


APPKNDIX. 


501 


82.  Jabbd,  aon  of  CapL  Abrahanii  (28,)  m.  Raobel,  dau.  of  Caleb  Mer- 
rilU,  Feb.  7,  1777.  Cb. :  L  Luey,  b.  Deo.  6, 1777 ;  IL  Nathaniel,  b. 
Feb.  16,  1779;  III  Jemima,  b.  April  25,  1780 ;  IV.  Hannab,  b.  Dec. 
12, 1782,  d.  July  22,  1786 ;  V.  Hannah,  b.  July  22, 1785 ;  YL  Asa,  b. 
Sept  12,  1787;  VIL  Eri,  b.  Feb.  19, 1790;  YHL  Erther,  b.  Sept.  20, 
1792 ;  IX  Jared,  b.  June  8, 1794 ;  X.  Rachel,  b.  Sept.  5,  1797. 

33.  JoBL,  son  of  Capt  Abraham,  (28,)  removed  in  1814,  with  bis 
family,  to  Soiquehanna  Co.,  Psu,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  in 
1817.  His  8onS|  Spencer  and  James  W.,  reside  in  the  syne  county 
and  have  children. 

34.  TiBiOTar,  son  of  Capt.  Abraham,  (23,)  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Kichard 
Nichols,  May  3,  1781.  She  d.  Jan.  24,  1813.  Ue  d.  Dec.  8,  1636. 
Ch. :  I.Sarah,  b.  June  27,  1782  ;  II.  Elizabeth,  b.  Aug.  11,  1783  ;  IIL 
Polly,  b.  Nov.  13,  1784;  IV.  Abraham,  b.  May  23,  1786;  V.  Iluldah, 
b.  Aug.  4,  1787,  m.  James  Chatfield;  VI.  Leonard,  b.  Sept.  15,  1788; 
VII.  Laura,  b.  Oct.  1,  1790 ;  VIII.  Palmyra,  b.  Jan.  1,  1792  ;  IX.  Nan- 
cy,  b.  Feb.  23,  1793,  d.  1801  ;  X.  Lydia,  b.  Dec.  17,  1794;  XL  Cbloe, 
b.  June  13,  1797,  ra.  Jacob  Tallmadge,  d.  1848  ;  XII.  Sherman,  b.  Sept. 
29,  1798,  m.  Sally  Camp,  April  22,  1824;  XIIL  Vina,  b.  June  30, 
1800,  d.  1822;  XIY.  Nancy,  b.  Feb.  8, 1802 ;  XV.  William,  b.  Sept. 
12,  1803. 

35.  Abraham,  son  of  Capt.  Abraham,  (23,)  m.  Tamer,  dau.  of  Jabez 
Tuttle,  Feb.  24,  1 784.   Ch. :  L  Kulb,  b.  Nov.  9, 1785 ;  IL  "  Oraiena,"* 

b.  Nov.  11,  17h8 — probably  others. 

3G.  PuESERVED,  son  of  Capt.  Abraham,  (23,)  m.  Rachel,  dau.  of  Capt. 
Hezekiah  Brown,  Oct.  3,  1780.  Ch. :  I.  Samuel,  b.  March  8,  1787  ;  IL 
Sally  M.,  b.  May  17,  1789— probably  others. 

37.  John,  son  of  John,  (24,)  m.  Lydia,  dau.  of  Moses  Cook,  May  1, 
1786.  Ch. :  1.  Carlos  V.,  b.  Feb.  9,  1787,  d.  Aug.  4,  1787  ;  IL  Alonzo 
G.,  b.  July  22,  1788;  IIL  Sidney,  b.  July  17,  1790,  d.  1791  ;  IV.  Sid- 
ney, b.  A\v^.  3,  1792,  d.  1794;  V.  Asa  Wm.  Warner,  b.  April  1,  1795 ; 
VL  Carlos  v.,  b.  Sept.  30,  1797. 

38.  John  H.,  son  of  Jesso,  (29.)  m.  Mary  Lockwood,  who  was  b. 
Sei)t.  28,  1795.  He  residetl  in  W«'stern  New  York.  About  1823,  he 
removed  to  Union  Co.,  Pa.,  in  1828  to  Lewiston,  in  183G  to  Clmuibers- 
burg.  and  in  1839  to  Ilarrisburg.  lie  was  run  over  by  cars  on  tlie 
Cumberland  Valley  Railroa<l,  at  Ilarrisburg,  and  d.  Jan.  14,  1841.  His 
ch,  wvro  as  follows:  1.  William  O.,  b.  Oct  6,  1815,  m.  Caroline  L. 
HiittiT  of  Allentown.  Pa.,  Sept.  10,  1840.  She  was  dan.  of  Charles  L. 
Iluttor,  and  was  b.  Dec.  20,  1818.  The  ch.  of  William  O.  arc.  Alu  e 
M.,  b.  June  25,  1841 ;  Edwin  il.,  b.  Nov.  14,  1814;  William  O.,  b. 


502 


BISTORT  OF  WATKBBDBT. 


Feb.  12,  1849,  and  Caroline,  b.  March  29,  1852.  11.  Henry  C,  b.  April 
26,  1818,  in.  MarLCaiot  Parke  of  Susquehanna  Co.,  Ta.,  Nov.  17,  1841. 
His  ch.  are,  Theodore  C,  b.  Aug.  20,  1846,  and  Josephine  C,  b.  Sept.  19, 
1848;  III.  diaries  N.,  b.  May  1,  1821,  resides  at  Bclfurd,  Pa.,  is  a 
dentist ;  IV.  Elizabetli  b.  June  5,  1825,  m.  Jacob  Maon,  aad  residea 
IQ  FultOQ  Co.,  Pa. 

HOPKINS. 

1.  JoHi%  HoPKiKB,  of  Hartford,  bad  ch.,  Stephen  and  Bethia.  (Sea 
]>.  151.) 

2.  Stbpiikn',  son  of  John,  (1,)  bad  John,  Stephen,  Ebeneser,  Joseph, 
Dorcas  and  Mary. 

8.  John,  son  of  Steplien,  (2.)  bad  John,  Consider,  Stephen,  Timothy, 
Samuel,  Maiy,  Hannah  and  Dorcas. 

4.  Stephen,  son  of  Stephen,  (2,)  li\*ed  at  Hartford.  Ch. :  Sarah, 
bap.  Aug.  21,  1687 ;  Rachel,  b.  1789 ;  Thomas,  b.  1702,  and  others. 

5.  £u£NE7.KR,  son  of  Stephen,  (2,)  resided  at  Hartford.  Ch. :  1.  Ebe« 
nozer.  bap.  Nov.  19,  1693,  d.  young;  II.  Jonathan,  bap.  June  28.  1696  ; 
III.  Khenezer,  b.  June  25.  1700;  IV.  Maiy,  b.  Jan.  30,  1705;  V.  Ste- 
phen, b.  Aug;.  8,  1707,  settled  in  Waterhury;  VI.  Isaac,  b.  Nov.  28, 
1708,  settled  in  Waterbury  ;  VII.  Sarah,  b.  June  25,  1710. 

6.  Joseph,  son  of  Stephen,  (2.)  had  ch.:  I.  Mary,  bap.  March  10, 
1700;  II.  Hannah,  b.  1702;  III.  Dorcas,  b.  March  18,1704;  m.  Tim- 
othy Bronson;  IV.  Ruth,  b.  Nov.  9,  1707;  V.  Joseph,  b.  Jan.  14, 
1711. 

7.  STKriiKN,  son  of  John,  (3,)  settled  in  Waterbury,  m.  Susanna,  dau. 
of  John  Peck  of  Wallingford,  in  1717.    She  d.  Ike.  2,  1755,  and  he  m. 

^  2d,  Abigail,  wid.  of  John  Webster  of  Farmington,  May  25^  1726,  and 
'  d.  Jan.  4,  1769.  Ch. :  I.  John,  b.  July  20,  1718  ;  II.  Stephen,  bTjune 
28,  1721  ;  III.  Anna,  b.  Sept.  25,  1723,  ui.  Thomas  Bronson  ;  IV.  Su- 
sanna, b.  Nov.  10,  1725,  d.  1748;  V.  Mary,  b.  June  4,  1728,  d.  1735  ; 
VI.  Joseph,  b.  June  fl,  1730 ;  VII.  Jesse,  b.  Feb.  12,  1733,  d.  1754  ;  VIII. 
Marj',  b.  Nov.  26,  1735,  d.  1748  ;  IX.  Lois,  b.  June  22,  1738,  Di.  Isaac 
Johnson  of  Derby  ;  X.  David,  b.  Oct.  14,  1741,  d.  1748. 

8.  Timothy,  f>on  of  John,  (3,)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Thos.  Judd,  June 
•25,  1719,  and  d.  Feb.  5,  1748-9.  Ch.  :  1.  Samuel,  b.  Sept.  17, 
1721,  (see  p.  309  ;)  IT.  Timothy,  b.  Sept.  8,  1723,  in.  Jan.  14,  1741-2, 
Jemima,  dau.  of  Abraham  Scovill  of  Simsbury ;  III.  lluldah,  b.  Dec. 
22,  1725,  m.  Abijah  Richards;  IV.  Hannah,  b.  April  11,  1728,  m. 
Tlios.  Upson  ;  V.  Sarah,  b.  May  25,  1730,  m.  Timothy  Clark  ;  VI.  Jame**, 
b.  June  26,  1732,  d.  July  4,  1764 ;  VII.  Daniel,  b.  Oct.  IC,  1736,  (see 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


t 


508 

p.  408 ;)  Vlir.  Mary,  b.  June  27, 1737,  m.  John  CoaMt;  IX.  Mark,  b. 
Sept  18,  1730.  {See  p.  410.) 

9.  Stephen,  son  of  £benezer,  (5,)  settled  in  Waterbury,  m.  Jemima, 
dau.  of  John  Bronson,  Feb.  2U,  1729-30.  Ch. :  I.  Noah,  b.  Jan.  20, 
1730-31  ;  IL  lioAvrell,  b.  May  Iti,  1733;  III.  Micali,  b.  March  d, 
1734-5. 

10.  Isaac,  son  of  Ebenezer,  (5,)  lived  in  Watorbury,  (Woicott,)  m. 
Mary,  dau.  of  Tliomas  Ilickox,  Sept.  21, 1732.  She  d.  May  27,  1  TOO.  Mr. 
Hopkins  d.  Jan.  13,  1805.  Ch. :  I.  Obedience,  b.  Sept.  1,  1733,  d.  1736; 
II.  Simeon,  b.  April  30, 1735,  d.  1730  ;  III.  Cede,  b.  Nov.  21,  1737,  m. 
Samuel  Ju.Jd  ;  IV.  Simeon,  b.  Nov.  19,  1740;  V.  Irene,  b.  1742-3  ;  YI. 
liuth,  b.  Dec.  20,  1745,  d.  1752;  VII.  Ore,  b.  June  18,  1748,  d.  1749  ; 
VIII.  Mittee,  b.  Dec.  14,  1750,  d.  Nov.  180C;  IX.  Mary,  b.  Dec.  4, 
1753  ;  X.  Welthe,  b.  June  2,  1756;  XL  Kulh,  b.  Dec  10,1769,  ni.  Ut, 
Ziba  Norton,  2d,  Tlios.  Wdton. 

11.  Jons,  son  of  Stephen,  (7,)  lived  in  Waterbury,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of 
Benajah  Johnson  of  Derby,  Dec.  13,  1749.  She  d.  and  he  m.  2d,  Pa- 
tience ,  who  d.  July  23,  1802.     Uo  d.  May  12,  1802.    Ch. :  I. 

Sarah,  b.  0«t.  1,  1750,  m.  Stephen  Culver;  II.  Susanna,  b.  Sept.  20, 
1752,  d.  1770  ;  III.  and  IV.  Mary  and  Mabel,  b.  Nov.  25,  1755,  Mary 

m.  Eli  Curtis:*,  an  attorney,  Mabel  m.  Rev.  Camp;  V.  Lois,  b. 

Nov.  13,  1757,  in.  John  Hotchkiss;  VI.  I>avid,  b.  Aug.  24,  1702,  ra. 
Mary,  dau.  of  Jonathan  Thompson  of  West  Haven,  July  4,  1791.  IJo, 
David,  is  father  of  David  Hopkins,  Esij.,  and  grandfather  of  Enos  Hop- 
kins,  both  of  Naui^atuck.  VH.  Uhoda,  b.  Sept.  29,  1707,  m.  Frederick 
Hotchkiss  of  Prospect,  and  went  W^est ;  VIII.  Patience,  b.  July  22, 
1709,  d.  1770;  IX.  John,  b.  1770,  d.  1771  ;  X.  Patience,  b.  Dec.  10, 
1774,  d.  UMin.;  XI.  Susanna,  b.  May  19,  1780,  d.  OcU  1780;  Xll. 
John,  b.  Feb.  10,  1782,  d.  young. 

12.  Stkphkn,  >.i!i  of  Stephen,  (7,)  lived  in  Waterbury;  m.  Patiin.e, 
dau.  of  I-aac  Biou>oii,  Oct,  1  1,  1744.  She  d.  June  3,  1746,  and  he 
m.  Dorothy,  dau.  of  James  Talmage  of  New  Haven,  Nov.  10,  1747. 
She  d.  Oct.  22,  1 701.  Ch. :  I.  Anne,  b.  Oct.  1,  1744;  II.  Samuel,  b. 
Nov.  21,  174S,  111.  Molly,  dau.  of  David  Miles  of  Wallin^jtord,  June  27, 

1771  ;  had  a  son,  Samuel  Miles,  (see  p.  410;)  III.  liauMH4,  b.  June  10,  \J?^»vm.4/^ 
1750,  d.  April  14,  1801  ;  IV.  Stephen,  b.  April  22,  17.34,  d.  1782  ;  V. 
Hannah,  b.  Sept.  23,  1757  ;  Vi.  Esther,  b.  Aug.  29,  1700,  d.  Nov.         /  • 
4,  1701.  "*/ 

13.  JosKi'n,  son  of  Stephen,  (7,)  m.  Ilepzibah,  dau.  of  Thos.  Clark, 
Nqv.2S,  1754.  Shed.  July  29,  1800.  Ho  d.  18ul,  (see  p.  411.)  Ch. : 
L  Livia,  b.  Aug.  27,  1755,  m.  Benoui  Upson,  D.  D.,  (see  p.  443  ;)  I. 


i_.vju,^uo  Ly  Google 


504' 


fllBTORY  OT  WATEBBUBT. 


Ash,  b.  Sept.  1,  1757;  III.  Joseph,  b.  Jan.  9,  1760,  nnioved  to  Rut- 
land, N.  Y. ;  IV.  Daniel,  b.  April  8,  17(32,  setikd  in  Hartford;  V- 
Ritlier,  b.  Feb.  25,  1704,  ni.  Mark  Bronson  ;  VI.  Jesse,  b.  Mav  20, 
1760;  VII.  Hepzibah,  b.  May  14,  1768,  m.  Ktliel  l^ronson ;  VIII.  Han- 
nah, b.  May  31,  1770,  m.  Stiles  Thompson  of  Middlebury  ;  IX.  Sally,  b. 
Nov.  17,  1772,  d.  at  Hudson,  N,  Y.,  unin. 

14.  Makk,  son  of  Timothy,  (8  )  m.  Electa,  dau.  of  Kev.  John  Sar- 
gt  aiit  of  Stoelvbridge,  Jan.  31,  1765,  (see  p.  410.)  Ch. :  I.  Arc  hibaldt 
b.  March  25,  1766  ;  II.  Henry,  b.  Dec.  28,l7C7,  d.  in  1788,  unm. ;  III. 
Sewall,  b.  July  27,  1760 — had  one  son  and  live  daus. ;  IV.  John  Sar- 
e^ant,  b.  Aug.  27,  1771— had  cli.;  V.  Louisa,  b.  Jidy  17,  1774  ;  VI. 
i;tlinij;h!ini,  b.  1776,  d.  early. 

15.  iSiMKON,  son  of  Isaac,  (10,)  lived  in  Waterbury,  m.  Lois,  dau.  of 
Obadiah  liii  hards,  Nov.  15,  1764,  and  d.  May  4,  17513.  Ch. :  I.  Han- 
n.'di,  b.  Aug.  5,  1765;  II.  Sarah,  b.  June  2,  1767  ;  HI.  Electa,  b.  July 
8,  1770;  IV.  Isaac,  b.  Jan.  11,  1773  ;  V.  Lois,  b.  July  21,  1775;  VI. 
liieliards  Obadiah,  b.  Jan.  11,  1778  ;  VIL  roily,  b.  Sept.  19,  1779;  VHI. 
Harvey,  b.  June  9,  1782, 

16.  Asa,  son  of  Josejili,  (13,)  removed  from  Waterbury  to  Hartford. 
He  m.  Rebecca,  dau.  of  Benjamin  Payne,  Dec.  1,  1784.  She  d.  Sept. 
17,  1791,  and  he  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Peter  Renbam  of  VVethersfield, 
OcL  16,  1793,  and  d.  Dec.  4, 1806.  Ch.:  L  Catharine  Payne,  b.  Oct 
24, 1785;  IL  Amelia,  b.  Jan.  4,  1787  ;  IH.  Maria,  b.  Oct  16,  1790; 
IV.  Henry,  b.  Sept.  3,  1 794 ;  Y.  R«t.  Aaa  T.Hopkins,  D.  D.,  firrt  settled 
at  Pawtucket,  K.  L,  afterwards  pastor  of  the  Bleeker  st  Charcb,  Utica, 
N.  T.,  and  still  later,  of  the  First  Presbyterian  chnrcb,  Buffalo,  N. 
nhere  he  d.  Not*  27, 1847. 

17.  JoBiPB,  ton  of  Joseph,  (13,)  m.  Ruth,  dau.  of  Abijah  Gilbert  of 
Salem,  K.  Y.,  Jan.  22, 1784.  De  settled  in  Waterbury,  removed  thence 
to  Rutland,  Jefferson  Co.,  N.  Y.  Ch. :  L  Anna,  b.  March  9,  1 786 ;  II. 
Gilbert,  b.  Dec  1787  ;  III.  Rebecca,  b.  March  21,1790 ;  IV.  Sophia,  b. 
Dec.  26, 1791;  V.  Jesse,  b.  Feb.  28,  1794,  d.  1818;  VI.  Joseph,  b. 
Oct  26,  1796  ;  VII.  Eliza,  b.  Dec  2,  1798  VIIL  Henry,  b.  Feb.  10, 
1803  (.')  IX.  Mary  Ann,  b.  March,  1806  (I)  X  Emily,  b.  April,  1808. 

18.  Jsaai,  son  of  Joseph,  (13,)  m.  Betsey  Goodwin  of  Hartford,  Dec 
3,  1794.  She  d.  Feb.  14, 1799.  Ch. :  L  Betsey,  b.  Dec  8, 1795 ;  II. 
Sally  G.,  Sept  13, 1798,  (see  p.  412.) 

19.  Akhx,  dau.  of  Joseph,  (17,)  m.  Josiab  Tyler  of  Rutland,  N.  Y. 
Ch. :  Jessie  Hopkins  and  Josiah  Bennet 

20.  Gilbert,  son  of  Joseph,  (17,)  m.  Betsey  Sherman  of  Rutland, 
N.  Y.  Ch. :  Ann,  Gustavus,  Maria,  Samuel,  George,  Morris  and  Jane 


APPKNIMZ. 


505 


2 1 .  RgBRCCA,  (Ian. of  Joseph,  (17.)  m.  Abel  Dooliitle.  Cb. :  WilUnin, 
Eli/a,  Henry  and  Justus. 

22.  Sophia,  daii.  of  .losepli,  (17,)  in.  AVilliam  SiU  of  Roduoan,  N.  Y. 
Cli. :  Mary,  John  Sterling,  £<iward  and  Elizabeth. 

23.  Joseph,  son  of  Joseph,  (17,)  m.  Pamelia  Picket  of  Gouvemeur, 
N.  Y.    Cli, :  Bower,  Sara,  Emily,  Bray  ton  and  others. 

24.  Eliza,  dau.  of  Joseph,  (17,)  m.  Rev.    Banks,  and  after^ 

wards,  Mr.  Iloigate  of  Utica,  N.  Y.  Ch. :  Jane,  France*,  Asa  llopkins 
and  Arbella  £liza. 

25.  Henry,  son  of  Joseph,  (17,)  in.  Celesiia,  dau.  of  Dea.  David 
Tyler  of  Kutlatid,  N.  Y.,  in  1829.  Ch. :  Charles,  Catharine,  Martlia, 
Mary  Ann  and  Henry  Tyler. 

26.  Mary  Ank,  dau.  of  Joseph,  (17,)  m.  George  M.  Foster,  Esq.  of 
Ogdensburg,  N.  Y.    Ch. :  none. 

27.  Emily,  dau.  of  Joseph,  (17,)  m.  Israel  Lamb,  Esq.  of  Ogdensburg, 
N.  Y.   Ch. :  Francesi  George  and  two  others. 

liUIClIKISS. 

1.  Samuel  Uotclikiss,  (probably  from  Essex,  England,  and  traditional 
brother  of  John  of  (ruiiford,  Conn.,  whose  name  was  written  Jlodgke, 
Hodffkin,  Hotchkin,  A'c.,)  was  at  New  Haven  as  early  as  1641.  In  Autj^. 
1C42.  he  m.  Elizabftli  Cl.'verly,  and  d.  Dee.  28,  JCO.I,  leavinsr  cliiKlren 
as  follows  :  I.  Jnhn,  h.  1(;4.1,  remained  at  New  Haven,  and  in.  Eliza- 
beth, ilaii.  of  Henry  Peek,  Dee,  4,  1C72.  His  de^eendants  are  numer- 
otis,  and  found  in  many  parts  of  the  country.  He  had  a  son,  Capt.  John, 
who  in.  Marv  Chatterton  at  New  Haven,  in  1G94,  an«l  scllled  early  at 
Cheshire,  who  liad  a  son  John,  b.  in  1G94.  The  last  named  John 
had  Jason,  b.  in  1719,  who  was  father  of  Sarah,  who  m.  William  Law, 
and  beeame  the  mother  of  Jonathan  Law,  E^q.,  now  of  Cheshire  ;  II. 
Samuel,  b.  1G45,  m.  Sarah  Tallinarre,  in  1 G 78,  settled  at  East  Haven, 
and  d.  in  1705.  He  liad,  Mary,  Sarah,  Samuel,  James  and  Abigail. 
III.  James,  b.  1G47,  probably  d.  without  i^sue  ;  IV.  Jo>hiia,  b,  Sept.  IG, 
1751,  lived  at  New  Haven;  V.  Thomas,  b.  Dec.  lGi)4,  m.  Sarah  Wii- 
niot,  Nov.  28,  1G77,  and  d.  1711.  He  liad  eh.,  among  wliom  were, 
Samuel,  Anna  and  Sarah  ;  VI.  Daniel,  b.  June  8,  1G57,  m.  Esther 
Sperry,  June  20,  1083,  and  d.  in  1712.  He  had,  Eliza,  Daniel,  Oba- 
diali,  Rebecca  and  other's. 

2.  Ens.  Josiii  A,  son  of  Samuel,  (1,)  was  married  twice  or  oftener. 
He  was  a  leading  man  at  New  Haven.  Ch. :  I.  Mary,  b.  April  HO,  1G79  ; 
II.  Dea.  Stephen,  b.  Aug.  12,  1G81,  .settled  at  Cheshire;  J II.  Martha,  b. 
Dec.  14,  1683,  m.  Thomas  Brooks  of  New  Haven,  in  1702,  who  settled 
at  Cheshire,  and  is  the  progenitor  of  most  of  the  name  now  residing  in 


« 


506  msTOBY  or  watbbbuby. 

the  last  inentioncd  place;  IV.  Priscilla,  d.  1G88;  V.  Abraham,  settled 
at  liethany,  liad  three  daughters;  VI.  Desire,  d.  in  ITOi;  VII.  Isaac, 
b.  June,  1701,  settled  at  Bethany,  and  had  a  largo  family,  among  whom 
were,  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob;  VIII.  Jacob,  b.  Ft-b.  7,  1704,  settled 
on  the  old  homestead,  at  New  Uaven,  but  afterwards  removed  to  llam- 
den,  and  had  ch.  Some  cf  his  sons  remained  at  Hamden.  Oue  of 
them  removed  to  Derby. 

3.  Dea.  Stephen,  son  of  Ens.  Joslma,  (2,)  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Jolm 
Sperry,  at  New  Haven,  Dec.  12,  1704.  lie  bought  lands  at  Clieshiro, 
in  170G,  and  removed  thither  the  next  year.  His  ch.  were,  I.  Joshua, 
b.  Aug.  2G,  1705  ;  II.  Elizabeth,  b.  1700,  d.  young;  HI.  Mary,  b.  Jan. 
1,  1708,  m.  Natljan  Barnes;  IV.  Hannah,  b.  Jan.  10,  1710,  m.  Stephen 
Atwater;  V.  Elizabeth,  b.  Feb.  IB,  1712  ;  VI.  Dea.  r.ideon,  b.  Dec.  5, 
1710,  and  settled  inWalerbury;  VII.  Stephen,  b.  Dec.  1,  1718,  m. 
Th.mkful  Cook,  and  had,  Esther,  Thankful,  Su-anna  and  Stephen  ;  VIII. 
Silas,  b.  Nov.  22,  1719,  m.  wid.  Olcott;  IX.  Hannah,  b.  Feb.  23,  1722  ; 
X.  Bathshua,  b.  Sept.  1,  172(3,  m.  Ralph  Lines;  XI.  Benjamin,  b.  Feb. 
1,  1728,  m.  Elizabeib  lioberu;  XII.  Noah,  b.  Nov.  24,  1736,  d.  Jan. 
13.  1760. 

4.  Dea.  Gideon,  son  of  Stephen,  (3,)  m.  Anna  Brocket,  June  18, 
1737,  who  (1.  and  ho  m.  2d,  Mabel,  dau.  ot  Isaac  Stiles  of  Souilibury. 
He  settled  in  the  southeast  part  of  Waterbury.  about  1730,  and  when 
the  society  of  Salem  was  organized  he  was  matle  a  deacon  of  the 
church.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  and  active  supporters  of  the 
church  and  society  of  Columbia,  (now  Prospect,)  was  a  leailirig  man  in 
the  town,  and  served  in  both  the  French  and  Revolutionary  wars.  He 
d.  Sept.  3,  1807,  having  lived  to  see  105  grand  ch.,  155  great  grand  ch., 
and  four  of  the  fifth  generation.  Ch. :  I.,  Jesse,  b.  1738;  II.  David,  b. 

April  5, 1740,  ra.  Williams  ;  IIL  Abraham,  d.  1742  ;  IV.  Abraham, 

b.  1743,  d.  OcU  29,  1806 ;  V.  Gideon,  b.  Dec  1744,  m.  and  had  ch., 
among  whom  was  Jesse,  who  in.  Elizabeth  King.  Both  he  and  hit  wife 
d.  in  1833,  of  the  cholera.  They  had  a  aon,  Geo.  who  now  reaides 
in  Indiana.  VI.  Hudlah,  b.  Jane  27,  1747,  nu  Jodah  Paine;  tll. 
Anna,  b.  Oct  22, 1749,  m.  Reuben  Williann ;  VUL  Amoa,  h.  Not.  24, 
1751 ;  IX.  Submit,  b.  Jane  2, 1758, m.  David  Paine;  X  Titui,b.  June 
20,  175o,  m.  Baehel  Quemaey;  XI.  Eben,  b.  Dec.  13,  1757,  m.  Mary, 
dau.  of  Gideon  Sanford  of  Ghediire,  Feb.  15,  1781,  and  had  ch.,  among 
whom  was  Gideon  Milla,  now  living  in  Prospect^  on  or  near  the  old 
homestead;  XIL  AMhel,  b.  Feb.  15,  I7e0;  XIIL  Benoni,  ^dicd 
before  bom,  July  27,  1762  ;**  XIV.  Mabel,  b.  May  23,  1764,  m.  Chaun- 
cey  Judd,  and  d.  May  5,  1797;  XV.  Phebe,  b.  Aug.  3,  1765,  m.  Ren- 
ben  Williams,  and  d.  1789;  XVL  SUIes,  b.  Jan.  81,  1768,  m.  Polly 


Google 


APPENDIX. 


507 


Horton,  and  liad  Araanda,  Sherman,  Demas,  Marshall,  and  a  dan.  who 
d.  young,  lie  lived  in  Prospect;  XVII.  Olive,  b.  Nov.  21,  17G9,  ra. 
William  Jones;  XVIII.  Melliscent,  b.  May  IG,  1771,  m.  David  San- 
ford  ;  XIX,  Amzi,  b.  July  3,  1774,  resides  in  Meriden. 

6.  Jkssk,  son  of  Dea.  Gideon,  (4,)  m.  a  dau.  of  Pettr  Mallory  of 
Stratford,  Oct.  2,  1759,  and  d.  in  the  army,  Sept.  29,  177C.  lie  had, 
I.  Asahel,  b.  17C0;  II.  Charity,  b.  1701;  III.  Bulah,  b.  1702;  IV. 
Gabrii,  b.  176.3;   V.  Rebecca,  b.  1765;  VI.  Temperance,  b.  1767; 

VII.  b.  1768;  VIII.  Chloe,  b.  1771;  IX,  Anna,  b.  1772;  X 

Huldah,  b.  1774  ;  XI.  Jesse,  b.  1776. 

6.  David,  son  of  Dea.  Gideon,  (4,)  m.  Abicjail  Douglas  of  Meriden, 

Nov.  21,  1763,  who  d.  April  5,  1775,  and  he  m.  2d,  Todd,  July  5, 

1775;  Ch.:  I.  Aseneth,  b.  1764;  II.  Surah,  b.  1766;  III.  Fred- 
erick, b.  1768;  IV.  Levina,  b.  1770;  V.  Aniraphel,  b.  1772  ;  VI.  Cyrus, 
b.  1774  ;  VII.  Charles  Todd,  b.  1776  ;  VIII.  Abigail,  b.  1778;  IX.' Gil- 
lard,  b.  1780  ;  X.  Peninah,  b.  1783. 

7.  AniiAiiAM,  son  of  Dea.  Gideon,  (4,)  lived  in  Wattrtown,  m.  Sarah, 
dau.  of  John  Weed,  Dec.  28,  1767,  an.l  d.  Oct.  29,  1806.  Ch.:  I.  John, 
b.  1768;  II.  Ezra,  h.  1772  ;  III.  \aj\^,  b.  1773  ;  IV.  Hannah,  b.  1775; 
V.  Joel,  b.  1781  ;  VI.  Benjamin,  b.  1786. 

8.  Amos,  son  of  Dea.  (Jideon,  (4.)  in.  Abigail,  tlau.  of  Ephraiin  Scott, 
Dec.  24,  1772.  Ch.:  I.  Woodward,  b.  Oct  19,  1773  ;  II.  Sabra,  b.  July 
19,  1777;  III.  Avera,  b.  April  6,  1779;  IV.  Molly,  b.  Feb.  9,  1783; 
V.  Orel,  b.  April  1  1,  1765,  d.  1789;  VI.  Amos  II.,  b.  Feb.  18,  1788  ; 
VII.  Orren,  b.  April  1,  1792,  settled  in  Naugatuck ;  VIII.  Abigail  0., 
b.  Sept.  10,  1779,  d.  1804. 

9.  AsAHEL,  son  of  Dea,  (^Jideon,  (4.)  m.  Sarah  Williams,  Muicli  22f 
1781,  who  d.  in  1794,  and  he  ni.  2<i,  I'liche  Merriam  of  Cheshire,  .hine 
7,  1794;  Ch. :  I.  Sally,  b.  1781;  11.  Curtiss,  b.  1783  ;  III.  Dyer,  b. 
1785,  hits  a  family,  lives  in  Naugatuck ;  IV.  Esther,  b.  1788;  V.  Tem- 
perance, b.  1797,  rn.  Andrews,  re-«^ides  in  Sharon,  Conn.;  VI. 

Asahel  A.,  b.  1799,  resides  in  Sharon,  ha«^  a  family;  Vll.  Marcus,  b. 
1801,  lives  in  Naugatuck,  has  a  family;  VIII.  Phebe  Maria,  b.  1805. 

10.  WoODWAKi),  son  of  .Amos,  (8,)  m.  Polly,  dau.  of  Capt.  I'hineas 
Castle,  April  2,  1797.  They  are  both  living  and  reside  in  l*rospect. 
Ch.  :  I.  Castle,  b.  May  10,  1798,  m.  Artetnesia  Stillman  of  lUirlington, 
Conn.,  and  removed  to  Ohio;  II.  Wm.,  b.  Aug.  1800,  m.  Elizabeth 
Thorndike  of  Va. — settled  in  Ohio,  and  d.  in  March,  1842 ;  III.  Rho«la, 
b.  Jan.  25,  1803,  in.  F.  M.  Penham  and  removed  to  Ohio;  IV.  Polly, 
b.  July  3,  1805,  m.  Ilervey  Norton  and  settled  in  Western  N.  Y. ;  V. 
Julius,  b.  July  11,  1810,  lu.  Meli.ssa,  dau.  tf  Enoch  Perkins  of  Cxford, 


508 


HISTORY  OF  WATSBBCBY. 


Conn.,  Aj)ril  29,  1832,  and  at  present  resides  in  Mi^ldletown.  He  wa» 
the  first  mayor  of  the  city  of  Watorbury ;  VI.  Albert,  b.  April  10, 
1813,  111.  Abbey  Benio  of  Middlelown,  and  d.  Jan.  22,  1844;  VII. 
Sarah  C,  b.  Sepu  8,  1818,  and  d.  Nov.  1848. 

JUDD. 

1.  Dea.  Thomas  Jodd*  of  Famington  had  cIl,  Elisabeth,  William^ 
Thomas,  John,  Benjamin,  Mary,  Ruth,  Philip  and  Sanniel. 

2.  William,  son  of  Dea.  Tbomas,  (1,)  had,  Mary,  Thomas^  John, 
Rachel,  Samaet,  Daniel  and  Elizabeth. 

8.  Lient  Thomas,  son  of  Dea.  Thomaa,  (1,)  bad,  Thoroa«,  John  and 
Sarah. 

3.  Dea.  Thomas,  son  of  William,  (2)  had,  V^lliam,  Martha,  Rachel, 
Sarah,  Hannah,  Uary,  Elizabeth,  Ruth  and  Stephen. 

5.  Thomas,  son  of  Lieut  Thomas,  (3,)  had,  Thomas,  Joseph,  Sarah, 
Elizabeth,  Joannah,  Joseph,  Ebenezer,  Mary,  Rachel  and  Abigail 

6.  Jonir,  son  of  Lieut  Thomas,  (3,)  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Sei^.  Samuel 
Uickoz,  April  16, 1693,  and  d.  in  1717.  His  wid.  d.  July  17, 1750. 
Ch.:  I.  Hannah,  b.  Feb.  2,  1607,d.  March  12, 171J3;  IL  John,  b.  June 
28,  1609;  UL  Samuel,  b.  Nov.  6,  1708;  IV.  Thomas,  b.  Jan.  10, 
1705,  d.  1706;  V.  Thomas,  b.  July  10, 1707;  YL  Benjamin,  b.  Aug. 

28,  1710;  m  Ebenezer,  b.  1718. 

7.  Capt  WiLUAM,  son  of  Dea.  Thomas,  (4,)  m.  Maiy  Root,  and  d.  Jan. 

29,  1772.  Ch. :  I.  Timothy,  b.  Dec.  28, 1713;  XL  Stephen,  b.  Aug.  17, 
1716 ;  III.  Hannah,  b.  Sept  12, 1717,  d.  unm. ;  'Y,  Jonathan,  b.  Oct  4, 
1719,  (see  p.  42 1 ;)  V.  A  dau.,  d.  without  a  name ;  YL  Elnathan,  h.  Aug.  7, 

1724 ;  YL  Mary,  h.  Nov.  22,  1727,  m.  1st  Thomas  Richards,  2d,  

Hurlbut;  YIIL  William,  b.  Jan.  12,  1729-30;  IX.  Sarah,  b.  Nov.  30, 
1732,  m.  Benjamin  Richards. 

8.  Joseph,  son  of  Thomas,  (5,)  returned  from  Eennogton  and  set- 
tled in  present  Naugatuek.  He  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Robert  Royce  of 
Wallingfoid,  Nov.  10,  1726,  nnVl  d.  Feb.  16, 1750.  His  wid.  d.  May 
14,  1770.  Ch.:  L  I&aao,  b.  Nov.  18,  1727;  IL  Phebe,  b.  May  10, 
1729 ;  III.  Elizabeth,  b.  April  7,  1732,  m.  Abner  Lewis,  and  lived  in 
Sander»field,  Mass. ;  IV.  Lois,  b.  Jan.  9,  1735,  d.  1750;  Y.  Ebenezer,  b. 
Nov.  23,  1737 ;  YL  Ruth,  b.  May  23, 1740,  m.  Abraham  Lewis:  YIL 
Abigail,  b.  June  23,  1742-3,  d.  1750. 

0.  Lieut  John,  son  of  John,  (6,)  m.  Merey,  dau.  of  Samuel  Bronson 


*  For  •  full  account  of  ttie  Uire«  first  generaUona  of  thU  family,  see  p.  155  of  this  work.  Th« 
ffwdcr  b  alM  nftmA  to  an  csttnded  gesetlogy  b/  SylTOtar  Jndd,  Eiq.,  of  Korlliainpton, 
Mms. 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


APPENDIX. 


509 


of  Kensin^on,  Jan.  6,  1731-2.  Shed.  1737.  He  d.  May  11,  1797, 
Ch.:  1.  Jemima,  b.  Nov.  12,  17:^2,  in.  David  Taylor,  17G0,cl,  1761;  II. 
Samuel,  b.  Dec.  26,  1734;  III.  Xoaii,  b.  Oct.  13.  1737. 

10.  Samuel,  son  of  Julin,  (C,)  u.  Elizabeth,  dan.  of  David  Scott,  Jan. 
13,  1730-31  ;  lived  in  Watertown— d.  Jan.  30,  1793.  Ch. :  I.  Asa, 
b.  Sept.  29,  1726  ;  II.  Esther,  b.  Auir.  11,  1728,  m.  Cyrus  Slowe ;  III. 
Hannah,  b.  Nov.  8,  1731,  ni.  David  Gsrnsey ;  IV.  John,  h.  Aug.  4, 
1733. 

11.  Thomas,  son  of  John,  (6,)  ra.  Ann,  dau.  of  Daniel  Porter,  May 
11,  1732,  and  d.  1739.  His  wid.  m.  James  Nichols.  Ch. :  I.  Michael, 
b.  Sept.  7,  1733,  d.  Oct.  8,  1734  ;  II.  Michael,  b.  Aug.  24,  1735;  UL 
Susanna,  b.  Jan.  23,  1737-8,  m.  Ezra  Broiisoti,  Esq.,  Sept.  6,  1753. 

12.  Benjamin,  son  of  John,  (0,)  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Gilbert  Adams 
of  Simsbury,  Jan.  8,  1738.  She  d.  Nov.  7,  1755.  lie  removed  from 
Waterbury  to  llarwinton — was  a  phyMcian.  Ch. :  1.  A  dau.,  b.  April 
30,  1730;  II.  Benjamin,  b.  June  6,  1740,  d.  young;  III.  Thomas,  b. 
April  12,  1743;  IV.  Annis,  b.  Nov.  25,  1744,  m.  an  Alford ;  V.  Joel,' 
b.  July  15,  1748,  m.  Mercy  Ilickox  ;  ch.,  l,Uri;  2,  Benjamin  II  ,  who 
now  lives  in  Watertowu;  3,  Kaadall ;  4,  Uri;  5,  Lucy ;  VL  Benjamin, 
b.  Jan.  8,  1755. 

13.  EuE.sEZKK,  son  of  John,  (6,)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Joseph  Hawkins  of 
Derby,  Nov.  17,  1742,  and  removed  to  Claremont,  N.  II.  Ch. :  I. 
Brewster,  b.  Jan.  12,  1744,  was  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  n  tnovt-d  to 
New  llampsliirc  ;  II.  Enoch,  b.  July  21,  1745,  m.  Iplienia  Warner,  no 
ch.;  III.  Ebenezf-r,  b.  May  28,  1747,  went  to  New  Hampshire;  IV. 
Sarah,  b.  Jan.  2,  1749,  d.  1755  ;  V.  David,  b.  Oct.  11,  1750,  d.  unni.  ;  VI. 
Benajah,  b.  Sept.  15,  1752,  d.  in  the  Revolutionary  service  ;  VII.  Amos, 
b.  Sept.  11,  1755,  no  ch, ;  VIII.  Hawkins,  m.  Annis  Butler;  IX.  Sarah, 
in.  Ephraim  Page  ;  X.  Mary,  ni.  lienjamin  AMen ;  XI.  Hannah. 

14.  TiMOTHV,  E>(j.,  son  of  William,  (7,)  graduated  at  Yale  College  in 
1737,  lived  in  Westbury,  w;i.s  a  magistrate,  Sec.  He  m.  March  29, 
1744,  M;iry,  d;iu.  of  Thomas  Clark.  She  d.  Nov.  8,  1744,  and  he  m. 
Mellisoent,  wi  i.  of  John  S  )Uthmayd,  Oct.  9,  1749,  who  d.  March  26, 
17G3,  and  he  m.  3d,  Ann,  wid.  of  Benjamin  Sedgwick,  and  mother  of 
Judge  Tlieodore  Sedgwick.  He  ra.  4ih,  Mary,  wid.  of  Samuel  Foote. 
She  d.  Oct.  1782.  Ch. :  I.  Mary,  b.  Nov.  II,  1751,  m.  an  Andruss,  and 
lived  in  Binghampton,  N.  Y. ;  II.  Parthenia,  b.  Aug.  0,  1754,  m.  Avery 
Skilton,  March  26,  1771.  He  was  a  son  of  Dr.  Henry  Skilton  from 
England,  and  Vived  in  Betldem  and  Watertown.  She  d.  March  30, 
1829.  III.  Allen  S.,  b.  Oct.  6,  1766,  lived  in  Nortbfield— removed  to 
Windsor,  N.  Y'.— hail  eleven  ch. ;  IV.  Giles,  b.  Oct  80, 1768,  d.  Sept.  3, 


510 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATEBSITST. 


1759  ;  V.  Mclliscent,  b.  Aug.  21,  1700,  ti.  Aug.  30, 1762 ;  VL  Timothy, 

b.  Jan.  21,  1703,  d.  May  26,  1763. 

15.  SiKi'HEN,  son  of  William,  (7.)  m.  Margary,  dau.  of  Caleb  Clark, 
May  31,  1743.  She  <1.  Feb.  11,  1740-7,  and  he  in.  2d,  Mary,  dau.  of 
Thomas  Wlieeler  of  Woodbury,  April  28,  1748,  wlio  d.  Aug.  11, 
1749.  He  then  m.  Lydia,  dau.  of  Dr.  Ebenezer  Warner  of  Woodbury, 
Marcli  13,1751.  She  d.  June  2,  170S,  and  he  m.  4th,  Else,  vv id.  of 
Thineas  Maltlicws,  Nov.  10,  1708,  and  d.  Oct.  12,1771.  His  fourth 
wife  d.  with  her  son  Erastus  at  Jefferson,  N.  V.,  Aug.  1799.  Ch. :  I. 
Thomas,  b.  l\h.  9,  1743-4,  removed  to  IIarper>field,  N.  Y. — liad  eight 
ch. ;  H.  Lydia,  b.  Sept.  18,  1745,  in.  Justus  Daily;  HI.  Daniel,  b.  May 
9,  1749,  d.  Auir.  1749  ;  IV.  Daniel,  b.  Jan.  17,  1751-52— was  a  sol- 
dier in  the  expediiion  to  Quebec,  where  he  d.  Feb.  2,  1770,  of  !iinall- 
]«>x  ;  \',  Hannah,  b.  Oct.  31, 1753,  m.  Abiinii  liaird,  live<l  at  Harjiet>tield  ; 
VI.  Freeman,  b.  Aug.  10,  1755 — was  in  the  expedition  to  Quebec.  He 
d.  at  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  March  5,  1840 — had  thirteen  ch. ;  Vll.  Stephen,  b* 
May  1,  1  757,  settled  in  Harpersfield,  N.  Y. — no  ch. — d.  Jan.  8,  1821  ; 
VHI.  *'Margret,"  b.  Jan.  23,  1759,  ni.  Noble  Atwood  ;  IX.  Eben  War- 
ner, b.  April  12,  1701,  renioved  to  .Middlebury,  Vt.,  and  d.  there,  Sept. 
18,  1837 — liad  four  ch. ;  X.  Erastn-,  b.  June  29,  1771,  ni.  Uulh  Ilick- 
ox,  and  went  to  Jefierson,  N.  Y.,  where  be  d.  May  22,  1837.  He  had 
nine  ch. 

16.  Elnathas,  son  of  William,  (7,)  m.  Miriam,  dau.  of  Samuel 
Richards,  Nov.  28,  1752.  He  lived  in  Westbury,  and  d.  there  Jan. 
3,  1777.  His  wid.  d.  at  Paris,  N.  Y  ,  Jan.  12,  1806.  Ch.:  I.  Uichard 
Samuel,  b.  Oct.  10,  1753,  d.  in  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  April  6,  1821— left  no 
ch, :  H.  Clarinda,  b.  May  16,  1755,  d.  unju.  Nov.  29,  1804  ;  III.  Sarah, 
b.  Sept.  14,  1757,  d.  unm.,  March,  1790;  IV.  Dotha,  b.  Feb.  20,  1700, 
m.  Maj.  Joseph  Cutler — had  11  ch.  and  d.  at  Hnfialo,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  0, 
1833:  V.  Consider,  b.  June  13,  1702,  d.  next  day;  VI.  Melli.scent,  b. 
July  7,  1703,  ra.  Samuel  I'retitice — went  Wcf^t,  had  5  ch.,  and  d.  Feb. 
23,  18J8;  VII.  Miriam,  b.  April  12,  1700,  m.  Smith  Arnold.  He  be- 
came a  Methodist  minister  and  lived  in  various  places  in  N.  Y. ;  VIII. 
EInathan,  b.  Dec.  7,  1773,  removed  to  Paris,  N.  Y.,  thence  to  Troy, 
Mich.,  was  a  physician,  and  d.  Sept.  4,  1845. 

17.  William,  son  of  William,  (7,)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Isaac  Castle,  Nov. 
2,  1752,  who  d.  March  12,  1777,  and  ho  m.  2d,  wid.  Sarah  Creen  of 
Stamfonl,  Oct.  1778.  lie  removed  to  Harpersfield,  N.  Y.,  auil  thence 
to  Jeff.  rson,  where  he  d.  Nov.  22,  1815.  Ch.:  I.  Demas,  b.  Sept.  10, 
1753,  Ml.  .Maranah  Garnsey,  removed  to  Jefferson,  N.  Y.,  and  d.  Sept. 
22,  1840 — had  14  ch. ;  II,  Balmarine,  b.  Sept.  20,  1755,  m.  Ahitrail 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


APPBHDIZ. 


511 


Thompson,  lived  in  IIiiiitin«j;ton,  C'lin,,  and  d.  May  10,  1810— had  10 
cli. ;  III.  William,  I).  April  1,  1758 — went  to  Jetlerson,  N.  Y.,  d.  Aug. 
*J4,  1839 — was  a  Revolutionary  pensioner;  IV,  Mary  Root,  h.  Dec. 
21,  1759,  in.  Daniel  Ciarnsoy  and  went  to  IIar}KM>tii  ld,  N.  Y. ;  V. 
"Luce,"  b.  July  2,  17G4,  ni.  Isaac  Garnsey — went  tu  lIarper>Held  ;  VI. 
Sheldt-n,  b.  July  10,  1707,  d.  1708;  v'll.  Shelden,  b.  Oc  t.  17,  1708, 
lived  at  Scij»io,  N.  Y.,  and  d.  May  12,  1806— had  4  ch.  ;  Vlll. 
**Perthena,"  b.  Dec.  3,  1771,  unni.  IX.  Marvin,  b.  May  10,  1773, 
Bettled  in  Jefferson,  N.  1. — had  1  Ron. 

18.  Isaac,  son  of  Joseph,  (8.)  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  Daniel  Williams, 
June  23,  1751-2.  He  lived  at  Judd's  Meadow,  and  d.  June  10,  1808. 
Hia  wid.  d.  July  1,  1822.  Ch.:  I.  Roswell,  b.  Nov.  6,  1752,  ni.  Lois 
Scott,  June  17,  1777.  He  lived  in  Salem  and  had  0  ch. ;  11.  Kosanoa, 
b.  Oct.  6,  1754.  ra.  Ist,  Edwaid  Perkins,  2d,  James  Brown;  IH.  Isnm*, 
b.  Nor.  19, 1756,  m.  Patience  Hammond,  and  settled  in  Woodbridge, 
Conn.— bad  7  ch.;  IV.  Walter,  b.  Not.  11, 1758,  m.  Margaret  Terril, 
May  3,  1782,  lived  in  Salem  aos.,  and  d.  April  2,  1883— had  8  eb. ;  T« 
Apaline,  b.  Jan.  25, 1761,  ni.  EKas  Lounsbory  of  Bethany  ;  VI.  Chauo- 
cey,  b.  July  8, 1764,  Kved  in  Salem,  was  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  m. 
1st,  Mabel,  dau.  of  Gideon  Hotchldss,  2d,  Eunice  FVeneh — ^had  10  ch. ; 
YIL  and  VIIL  Anna  and  Ruth,  b.  July  6,  1767 ;  Anna  d.  in  1773— 
Ruth  ro.  Andrew  Smith,  and  had  5  ch.;  IX.  Hilla,  b.  Oct  1760,  m. 
Isaac  Perkins  of  Bethany;  2L  Reuben,  b.  May  28,  1772,  m.  Dorcas 
Smith,  had  2  ch.  and  d.  at  Bethany,  July  4,  1840;  XL  Asel,  b.  June 
23, 1776,  m.  Polly  Johnson,  and  d.  at  Bethany,  Oct.  13,  1834— had  4 
ch. ;  XIL  Harvey,  b.  Dee.  3,  1778,  lived  in  Salem,  m.  let,  Jemima 
Hickox,  Dec.  25, 1800,  who  d.  Nov.  1, 1803,  and  he  m.  2d,  Mrs.  Lucy 
Twitchel,  formerly  a  Ilinman,  Aug.  12, 1810— had  7  ch. 

19.  Ebikbur,  son  of  Joseph,  (8,)  m.  Anna  Charles,  Feb.  7,  1765, 
who  d.  Aug.  10,  1782,  and  he  m.  Betsey,  dau.  of  Nathan  Hill  of 
Cheshire,  Oct  8,  1782.  He  was  then  residing  in  Goshen.  She  d. 
Nov.  23, 1807,  and  he  m.  3d,  Mary  Hurlbut,  Jan.  28, 1808,  and  remov- 
ed to  Cornwall,  Vt,  and  thence  to  Onondaga,  N.  Y.  His  wife  d.  June 
25, 1821.  He  d.  Sept  27, 1823.  Ch. :  L  Charles,  b.  March  2, 1766,  d. 
1779 ;  IL  Abigail  b.  March  31, 1768,  ro.  David  Landon ;  lived  and  d.  in 
Solon,  N.  T.;  IIL  Allin,  b.  March  19,  1770,  d.  1772;  IV.  Allin, 
b.  March  9,  1772,  ro.  Clarissa  Palmer;  lived  in  Orwell,  Vt,  and  thence 
removed  to  the  State  of  N.  — was  drowned  about  1817 — left  6  ch.; 
V.  Am»,b.l}ec.  21, 1774,  num.;  VI.  Anna,  b.  March  16,  1777,  m* 
Reuben  Dibble,  and  lived  in  Gerroan,  Chenango  Coh  N.  Y. — both  dead; 
Vn.  Asa,  b.  Feb.  11, 1780,  m.  Sarah  Burdick,  lived  in  German,  left  2 


HI8T0BT  or  WJLTBBSUBT. 


dau3. ;  VIII.  Ambrose,  b.  Aug.  23,  1V83,  in.  Xancy  Johnson  of  South- 
bur}',  Conn.,  Dec.  10,  1800;  resides  at  Marcellus,  N.  Y. — a  deacon — ba-s 
5  cb. ;  IX.  Ruth,  b.  Oct.  19,  1TS5,  ni.  Constant  Fenn,  resides  in  OnoQ- 
dnga,  N.  V.;  X.  Estlier,  b.  April  19,  1789,  d.  wlien  12  vt-ars  o!<i. 

20.  Capt.  Sami  KL,  son  of  Lieut.  John,  (9,)  m.  lioJo,  dau.  of  Isaac 
Hopkins,  March  31,  1703.  She  d.  March  20,  1810.  He  kept  a  public 
house  on  the  north  side  of  West  Main  street  52  years,  and  d.  Sept.  11, 
1825.  Ch. :  I.  Mary,  b.  Feb.  20,  1764,  in.  Timon  Miles  of  Waterbury, 
Aprils,  17»5,  d.June  2,  1845;  II.  Olive,  b.  July  21,  1767,  unm., 
d.  Nov.  3,  1840  ;  III.  John,  b.  April  11,  1769,  d.  1769;  IV.  Sarah,  b. 
Nov.  18,  1771,  m.  Israel  Holmes  from  Greenwich,  Sept.  9,  1773,  lived 
in  Waterbury  and  d.  March  19,  1821;  V.  Hannah,  b.  June  7,  1774, 
uom^  resides  on  the  old  homestead;  VL  Samuel,  b.  June  6, 

21.  NoAR,  eon  of  Lieut  John,  (o,)  m.  Rebecca,  dan.  of  Jooatbao 
Prindle,  July  10, 1*190,  He  lived  in  Watertown  and  d.  Sept.  3,  1882. 
His  widow d.  March  19,  1838,  aged  99.  Cb.:  I.  Jemima,  b.  Aug.  10, 
1761,  ro.  Samuel  Woodward ;  H.  fianrey,  b.  May  5,  1763,  went  to 
Coventry,  K.  Y.,— had  four  eh. ;  IIL  Mi^ael,  b.  Feb.  19,  1765,  went 
to  the  State  of  New  York,— had  6  oh. ;  IV.  Eleaiar,  b.  Aug.  22,  1769, 
lived  in  Watertown — had  eh.;  V.  Suaannah,  m.  Ebeneser  French,  d. 
Oct.  31, 1832 ;  VL  Leverett^  b.  about  1774,  ra.  Olive  C.  Steel  and  ro- 
sided  in  Bethlem,  Conn.  He  d.  Dec  11, 1841.  His  wid.  d.  Feb.  20^ 
1848.  Ch.:  Garwood,  has  oh. — ^resides  in  the  State  of  New  York ;  2. 
Anna,  m.  Titus  Pierce  and  resides  in  South  Britain ;  8.  Daniel,  resides 
in  the  State  of  New  York;  4.  Erasmus,  lives  in  Ohio;  5.  Leverett  P., 
resides  in  Bethlem,  has  ch. ;  VIL  Bethel,  graduated  at  Yale  Collie  in 
1797 — ^long  a  minister  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  He  reoeived  the  de- 
gree of  D.  D.  from  Washington  College  in  1881 ;  YIII.  Hannah,  m< 
 Damming;  IX.  Jonathan, — ^was  an  Episcopal  minister  at  Cam- 
bridge, Md. ;  X.  Eltjab,  d.  Deo.  24,  1794,  a.  10 ;  XL  Hannah,  d.  Nov. 
13, 1833. 

22.  JoBK,  son  of  Samuel,  (10,)  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Ebenezer  Rich- 
ards, April  10, 1755,  and  lived  in  Watertown.  She  d.  MaKh  22,  1779f 
and  he  d.  Dee.  28,  l798.  Ch. :  L  Levi,  b.  March  16,  1756, d.  July  21, 
1756 ;  IL  Levi,  b.  Oct^  1757,  m.  Eunice  Hubbard  and  had  10  ch.  He 
lived  in  Watertown  and  d.  Nov.  30,  1810;  111.  Abigail,  bw  July  3f 
1760,  d.  1760;  IV.  John,  b.  June 27, 1661,  went  West;  V.  Chandler, 
b.  April  3,  1763;  VL  Abigail,  b.  April  7,  1765;  VIL  Susanna,  b. 
March  19,  1769 ;  VIL  Annah,  b.  Sept.  26,  1772 ;  IX.  Esther,  b.  Feb. 
11,1775. 

23.  Asa,  son  of  Samuel,  (10,)  nkMelUscent,  dau.  of  Samuel  Silkrigs^ 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


AFFBNDDL 


513 


June  27,  1761.  Ch. :  I.  Mercy,  b.  Nov.  29,  1761  ;  11.  SMnuel,b.  Feb. 
28,  1763  ;  III.  MeUiaoent,  b.  lUrA  29,  1765  ;  IV.  Aaa;  V.  Elkanah ; 
VI.  Alphem. 

24.  RoswEi.L,  son  of  Isaac,  (18,)  m.  Lois  Scott,  June  17, 1777.  Cli.: 
T.  Esther,  b.  June  17,  1778,  m.  Samuel  Pet^k  *,  II.  Leava,  b.  Feb.  7, 
1780,  m.  Rev.  Samuel  Potter;  III.  Anna,  b.  Oct.  1,  1782,  m.  Russel 
Chamberlain  of  Kent;  IV.  Tamer,  b.  Sept.  22,  1784,  m.  Ira  Pond  of 
Camden,  N.Y.;  V.  CLloe,  b.  Sept.  1,  [1786,  m.  Russel  Cluimberlain 
after  the  death  of  Anna;  VI.  Roswell  C,  b.  May  20,  1789— went  to 
Illinois;  VII.  Lois  A,  b.  June  12,  1791,  m.  Baird  Candee  of  Nauga- 
tuck;  VIII.  Laura,  b.  July  30,  1794,  unm.;  IX.  Aaahal,  b.  Aug.  15, 
1797,  m.  Polly  Plait  of  Waterbury. 

25.  Sami  KL,  son  of  Capt.  S.imuel,  (20,)  m.  Cleora,  dau.  of  Benja- 
min liakiwin,"1Vug.  30,  1798.  Shed.  Dec.  9,  1809.  lie  m.  2«1,  Polly, 
dau.  of  Jesse  Heeclior  of  Woodbritlge,  April  5,  1812,  and  d.  March  19, 
181 3,  aged  30.  His  widow  d.  Aug.  30,  1815,  in  her  33d  year.  Ch.: 
1.  ElizalH'th  Cook,  b.  Aug.  23,  1800,  m.  James  Moi  riss  of  Cuaaewaga, 
Pa.;  II.  Sophiii  Hopkins,  b.  Aui^.  6,  1805,  d.  Au<,'.  25,  1815. 

26.  Chandlkh,  son  of  John,  (22,)  m.  Scott,  and  d.  Dec.  21, 

1791.    Ch. :  I.  Harvey,  b.  1787,  left  home  while  young  and  wa.s  never 
beard  of  more;  H.  Sarah,  b.  Oct.  3,  1789,  ra.  Ephraim  NetileUm  of 
Waterbury  and  hml  2  ch. ;  III.  Chandler,  (posthumous)  b.  July  20, 
1702,  m.  Grace  Lum  of  Southbury,  Aug.,  1819,  and  had  3  sods  and  2 
dau i,' liters — resides  in  Watertown. 

Stei'hen  Jldd  of  Waterbury,  was  in  West  ITnrtford,  Aug.,  1751  ; 
parentage  unknown.  He  m.  Sarah  Russel  of  Wallingford,  Jan.  IvS, 
177G,  and  d.  July  10,  1820.  Ca. :  I.  Thomas,  b.  Oct.  28,  1770,  m.  Bet- 
sey Clark  of  Wallingford,  Oct.,  1800 — had  8  ch. — lived  in  Southing- 
ton;  II.  Stephen,  h.  Jan.  29,  1780,  ni.  Pamela  Stilwell  of  Cairo,  Green 
Co.,  X.  v.,  and  removed  to  Ohio;  HI.  Elizabeth,  b.  1782,  m.  John 
Tuttle,  d.  at  Waterbury  in  1848;  IV.  llepzibah,  b.  May  23,  1784,  ra. 
Joseph  Root  of  Waterbury;  V.  Jease,  b.  Oct.  J 1,  1780, — lives  in 
Greenwood,  Steuben  Co.,  N.  v.,  where  he  m.  Mary  Stotenburg ;  VI. 
Nabby  Curtis,  b.  April  10,  1791,  ni.  Amasa  Roberta  of  Middletown ; 
VIL  Sally  Russell,  b.  Nov.  1,  1793,  d.  1794;  VIIL  Sarah  Ann,  b. 
Aug.  18,  1793,  m.  Je<se  Lambert  of  Waterbury;  IX.  Harvey,  b.  Aug, 
2S,  1798,  m.  Sally  Brown,  Dec.  31,  1821,  and  had  Samnel  C.  and 
Harvey.  He  d.  in  Ohio  in  1888 ;  X.  William  RuBsell,  b.  May  9, 1802, 
married  and  had  cb. — Uvea  in  Waterbuiy. 

33 


u.vju,^uo  Ly  Google 


514 


BIBIOBT  OP  WAneBUBT. 


KENDRICK. 

John,  the  grandfather  of  Green  Kendriclc,  was  a  Virginian,  supposed 
to  be  of  the  second  or  third  tfeneration  from  the  original  ancestor  from 
Massachusetts,  lie  was  a  tf)l»acco  planter,  and  had  four  sons, — John, 
William,  James  and  Benjamin,  and  four  or  five  daugliters.  He  was 
born  ;U>o\it  the  year  1735,  and  died  in  1810.  John,  his  eldest  son,  the 
fjitlitT  of  (Jreen,  removed  to  North  Carolina  about  the  year  1786,  and 
was  a  tobacco  jdanter,  until  the  invention  of  the  cotton  gin,  by  Whit- 
n»'y,  w  hen  he  iKJcame  a  cotton  planter.  lie  was  a  man  of  ability,  integ- 
rity, and  eminent  usefulness  in  all  matters  pert^iining  to  the  church,  the 
State  and  society,  lie  was  a  deacon  of  the  Baptist  church,  was  born 
in  1764.  and  d.  1823. 

Tlie  wife  of  the  above  John  Kendrick  was  Martha  Dinkins,  dau,  of 
John  Dinkins,  a  wealthy  planter,  believed  to  have  been  of  Welch  de- 
scent. She  was  b.  in  17G5,  and  d.  in  1825;  was  a  woman  of  many 
virtues,  fulfilling  the  duties  of  life  with  a  scrupulous  regard  to  the  pre- 
cepts of  the  Bible.  She  was  the  mother  of  eleven  children,  nine  of 
whom  became  heads  of  families.  There  were  ei^lit  sons,  and  three  daus. 
Green  was  the  seventh  child,  and  is  the  only  survivor. 

Green  Kendrick  was  born  in  Mecklenburg  County,  North  Carolina, 
April  1,  1798.  From  seven  to  ten  years  of  age,  he  attended  a  common 
country  school,  to  and  from  which  he  walked  more  than  three  miles, 
night  and  morning.  From  ten  to  nineteen,  he  labored  on  the  planta- 
tion, attending  school  at  such  brief  intervals  m  his  duties  on  the  planta- 
tion would  allow.  For  two  years  during  tbe  latter  part  of  the  time,  he 
enjoyed  somewhat  better  adoeatioaal  adranlagta  tkan  was  oomnion  for 
the  sons  of  plantaia  al  that  tinia.  He  waa  Teiy  ambittoo^  both  in  his 
laboit  in  the  field  and  in  his  studies,  and  thus  aocomplisbad  more  than 
moat  otheis  with  whom  ha  was  associated.  His  fiither  tang^t  him  in- 
dnttfj  and  necessity  made  him  frugal.  At  the  of  nineteen,  after 
teaching  a  common  school  nine  months,he  obtained  aplaoa  in  n  eoantiy 
store,  where  he  remained  about  a  year,  when  he  prooared  a  more  desir- 
able position  aa  salesman  in  a  store  In  Charlotte,  the  Countj  town.  In 
a  little  more  than  a  year  ha  purchased  the  stock  of  goods  of  his 
employer  on  a  credit,  and  commenced  business  on  his  own  account  In 
1888,  he  married  Anna  Maria,  dau.  of  ICailc  Laavenwofth  of  Water- 
buiy.  The  death  of  his  fiither,  which  occurred  about  this  time,  put 
him  in  possession  of  additional  means.  He  continued  the  mercantile 
bosineas  atCbariotte  until  the  spring  of  1828,  when  he  closed  it  and 


yiu^uo  Ly  Google 


AWIHIIJZ. 


516 


remove«l  to  Waterbury,  where  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  clocks, 
under  the  name  of  Mark  Leavenworth  <fcCo.,  and  in  that  of  gilt  buttons, 
under  the  name  of  Leavenworth  «k  Kendriok.  Since  then  he  has  eon- 
tinueti  to  be  interested  to  some  extent  in  the  manufacture  of  ibe  various 
articles  for  which  Waterbury  is  somewhat  distinguished. 

In  1845,  1847  and  1848,  Mr.  Kendrick  was  a  member  of  the  House 
of  Representatives  of  Connecticut.  In  184U,  he  was  elected  to  the 
Senate,  and  was  chosen  Lieut.  (  Jovernor  in  1851.  In  1854,  he  was 
again  a  member  of  the  House,  and  speaker  after  the  resignation  of  L. 
F.  S.  Foster,  who  was  elected  to  the  United  Sutes  vSeiiate.  Through- 
out tlie  sessioQ  of  1856,  he  was  the  speaker  of  the  House  of  liepre- 
seDtatives. 

LEAVENWORTH* 

1.  TaoMAt  LiAVsmrosTB  leUled  in  Woodbury,  prior  to  1082. 
WbMoe  h»  eaiD«f  I  am  not  iofonnad.  He  died  Aug.  3,  1683,  at  which 
date  the  inTentory  of  hb  eitate  was  eibibited  to  the  Court  of  Probate,  of 
Fairfield  Co^  and  bia  estate  was  ordered  to  be  diatribiited  to  bit  widow, 
one  third  to  bit  eldett  son,  a  double  portion  to  bis  aeoond  ebild,  a 
daughter,  and  to  bit  third  obild,  a  ton,  a  tingle  portion— namet  not 
given.  In  the  tettlement  of  John  Leavenwortb*t  ettatti  the  namet  of 
the  two  tont  art  found  to  have  been,  Thomat  and  John.  Thoinat  tei- 
tled  in  Stratford  and  it  the  progenitor  of  the  Waterbuiy  and  Wood- 
bury Learenwortht.  Of  John,  I  have  no  definite  information,  bnt  am 
led  to  believe  he  had  no  male  ime. 

8,  JoHH,  brother  of  Thomas,  (1,)  alto  teltled  in  Woodbury,  and  d. 
previoua  to  Not.  7, 1702,  when  Thomat  LeaTonworth  of  Stratfeid  was 
appointed  adminittrator  of  hit  eatate,  Feb.  88, 1704.  The  court  order- 
ed the  estate  to  be  diatribnted  to  Thomat,  the  adminiitmtor,  and  to 
John,  brother  of  the  latter. 

8.  Tbomab,  ton  of  Thomas,  (1,)  tattled  in  Stratford,  Ripton  parish, 
where  he  had  land  recorded,  Jan.  1708,  **  near  Mill  Biver."  He  d.  in 
1748 ;  hit  widow,  Maiy,  in  1758.  The  following  are  mentioned  at  hit 
children.  May  6, 1784.  (In  hit  wUI,  dated  July  6, 1748,  and  in  the  will 
of  Mary  hit  widow,  dated  May  11,  1768,  Edmund  and  EbenoMr  are 

*  I  Ktn  aware  that  mj  account  of  the  fanealogjr  of  thia  ftuniljr  will  not  afraa  with  th« 
geoealogical  tree  belon^ng  to  the  flunllr,  which  wae  pabUched  a  few  yeari  abiee  ;  neither  will  it 
MflTVipoBd  with  the  aketch  found  in  Woodborjr  Bla.,  p.  614,  cspeelally  the  flr»t  paragiapli  !■ 
that  work,  as  the  first  part  of  that  sketch  was  taken  from  that  tree  by  the  special  reqoeet  of 
members  of  the  famll/.  The  genealogy  here  K^ven,  has  been  drawn  from  rarloos  record*,  wiUa 
th*  alaeat  wm,  Mt  umj  be  relied  upon  as  Out. .  The  InrestlgaUoos  I  hare  girrn  the  pntUo 
iMMe*,  eonrloM     thai  tht  tew  «m  dntva  tnm  thai  aalnOhM  al«qr«t«lter,  tradUion. 


616 


BIBTOBT  OW  VATXBBUBT. 


omitted. )  Ch. :  I.  Edmund,  remained  at  Stratford,  and  d.  between  July 
12  and  Aug.  15,  1783,  leaving  a  wife,  Abigail,  and  ch.  In  the  distribu- 
tion of  his  estate,  Gideon  and  Edmund  are  named  as  bis  sons ;  II. 
Jame^:,  remained  at  Stratford  :  III.  Ebenezer,  of  Ripton  parish,  Strat- 
ford, d,  in  1734,  trave  his  estate  to  his  father,  and  to  his  brothers  and 
sisters,  (as  here  named ;)  IV.  John  settled  in  Woodbury  and  d.  in 
1783,  aged  77  ;•  V.  David  of  Woodbury,  d.  April  10,  1736;  VI. 
Zebulon,  settled  in  Woodbur)-,  and  d.  in  1703  ;  VII.  Mark,  b.  1711  ; 

VIII.  Thomas,  settled  in  Woodbury;  IX.  Mary,  m.  Joseph  Perry;  X. 
Hannah,  m.  Nicholas  Moss;  XI.  S^rab,  b.  Nov.  6,  1721,  m.  Abner 
Terry. 

4.  James,  son  of  Thomas,  (3,)  remained  at  Stratford,  m.  Hester 
Trowbridge,  Aug.  23,  1720,  and  d.  17.09.    Ch.:  T.  Mahitable,  b.  July 

28,  1721,  m.   Waterman  ;  II.  Tamer,  b.  May  28,  1727,  m.  

Hurd  ;  III.  Samuel,  b.  Feb.  21,  1729  ;  IV.  Daniel,  b.  March  25,  1731; 

V.  Ann,  b.  April  14,  1733,  m.  Lake;  VI.  Mary,  b.  Aug.  13, 

1735;  VII.  James,  b.  July  6,  1737;  VIII.  Esther,  b.  Jan.  27,  1739; 

IX.  Ebenezer,  b.  Sept.  22,  1743,  d.  before  1759. 

5.  Rev.  Mark,  (see  p.  283,)  son  of  Tlios.,  (3,)  settled  in  Waterbury. 
He  m.  Feb.  6,  1730-40,  Kutli,  dau.  of  Jenmiah  Peck,  and  grand  dau. 
of  Rev.  Jeremiah  Peck.  She  d.  Aug.  8,  1750,  and  he  m.  Dec.  4,  1750, 
Sarah,  dau.  of  Jesse  Hull,  of  Derby.  He  d.  Aug.  20,  1707.  His  wid. 
Sirah,  .1.  May  7,  1803,  aged  82.  Oh.  :  I.  Jesse,  b.  Nov.  22,  1741  ;  II. 
Mark,  b.  May  20,  1752,  grad.  Y.  C,  m.  the  wid.  of  Wm.  Sherman,  (son 
of  Roger,)  went  to  France  with  Joel  Barlow,  and  d.  in  ]'aris,  in  1812  ; 
11.  Joseph,  b.  Jan.  19,  1755,  d.  1756  ;  IV.  Sarah,  b.  Dec.  11.  17.'56,  m. 
Doct  Isaac  Baldwin,  and  had  three  daughters,  two  of  whom,  Sarah  and 
Bither,  m.  Doct  Edward  Field ;  the  other,  Rebecca,  d.  unm. ;  V.  William, 
UFeh.  28, 1760;  VI.  Nathan,  b.  Dec  11,  1761,  d.  1797 ;  VII.  Joseph, 
bw  June  15,  1764;  VIU  Elisha,  K  Ocl.  18,  1766,  m.  Ist,  Mn.  Russell, 
2d,  —  Stone  of  Derby — had  one  son  bj  first  wife. 

6.  Samobl,  son  of  James,  (4,)  bad  cb^  and  among  them  Joseph,  b. 
in  1778. 

7.  JasBB,  son  of  Ber.  Hark,  (5,)  grad.  T.C  in  1760,  m.  July  1, 1761, 
Catharine,  wid.  of  Gapt  Culpeper  Frisbie  of  Branford,  and  dan.  of  Mr. 
John  Conkling  of  Southampton,  L.  L  She  d.  June  29,  1824,  aged  87. 
Ch. :  L  Melines  ConUing,  b.  Jan.  4,  1762,  grad.  Y.  C.  in  1781,  and 
went  South.  In  1801,  he  m.  Hit.  Ann  Lamar,  of  Augusta,  Geo.,  and 
continued  to  reside  in  that  city  until  his  death,  which  oocurted  July  20, 


^  IM  Woadtaij  Eb^ p. m;  sIm  far  Um  diOdrflB  of  DsvM)ThMiM  uid  UMon. 


APPENDIX. 


51T 


1828 ;  IL  Bath,  K  Fob.  25, 1794,  m.  Ciipt.  Moaes  Elkiiu  of  PeMbam, 
Vt,  and  ramuved  to  Canada,  whore  sho  d.  and  whovo  teveral  of  bor  eb. 
now  raaido ;  IIL  Dr.  Fredotick,  b.  8epL  4,  1766 ;  lY.  Catbariao,  b. 
1768»  ID.  lit,  DonnK  2d,  Tbo«.  Peck,  and  d.  Jono  25, 1815,  leav- 
ing a  aon  and  two  daughteri;  Y.  Jetae,  b.  Aug.  1771 ;  YL  Mark,  b. 
Aug.  31,  1774. 

8.  William,  son  of  Rev.  Mark,  (5  )  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Bwa  Bron- 
90I1,  E-Mj.,  May  1,  1781.  Ch.:  I.  Sarah,  b.  June  20,  1784,  in.  Joel 
Walters  of  New  Haven,  and  had  sons.  Rev.  William,  James,  and  a  dau. 
Caroline,  perhaps  others;  II.  William,  1>.  June  20,  1786.  m.  Fanny, 
dau.  of  Abol  Porter,  and  had  a  datu  Sarah,  who  m.  P.  Watroos;  is 
now  Mrs.  Nash  of  Akron,  Ohio. 

9.  Doct.  Fredekick,  son  of  Jesse,  (7,)  m.  Fanny,  dau.  of  Abner 
Joh  nson,  May  19,  1790.  Ch. :  I.  Lucia,  b.  M  irch  2  4,  1797,  m.  Rev. 
AsaM.  Train,  of  Milford ;  II.  Eliza,  b.  Dec.  7,  1798,  in.  C.  IX  Kings- 
bury;* III.  Frederick  A.,  b.  June  13,  1801,  and  d.  about  1809;  IV. 
Abner  J.,  b.  July  1 2,  1803 ;  V.  Fanny  A.,  m.  Nathanial  Wonlen,  of 
Bridgeport;  VI.  Eli^ha. 

10.  Jesse,  son  of  Jesse,  (7,)  removed  to  Danville,  Vt,  early  in  life, 
where  he  resided  until  bis  deatli,  Jan.  1,  1830.    He  m.  Ist,  Nancy  Pope, 

2(1,  Martha  Morrill.    Ch. :  T.  Catharine,  m.  Haselton  ;  II.  Doct 

Frederick;  III.  Nancy,  d.  1821  ;  IV.  Fanny,  m.    Hazel  ton ;  V. 

Maria,  d.  1824 ;  VL  Melioa,  d.  1825 ;  VH.  Jane,  b.  1817  ;  YIIL  Mark, 
b.  1828. 


*  JToMpli  Klogtburj,  from  whom  O.  V.  Klogabary  U  dflMSBSed,  la  rappot«d  le  have  Mrignitad 

from  England  to  Doston,  prior  to  1610.    ile  settled  at  IlartrhUI,  MaM.,  and  had  a  ion  Joseph* 
S.  Joseph,  aon  of  Joaeph,  (1,)  aetUed  ai  Norwich  F»nu,  now  rraoklUi,  Conn.,  about  JAe&. 
The  fttrm  on  which  he  aetUed  la  attll  owned  and  oeeopled  by  membwa  of  Uie  family.  He  had 
•Is  aons ;  the  youngeat  waa  named  Nathaniel. 

3.  Nathaniel,  son  of  Jo'^eph,  (2,)  had  9ch.  who  llred  to  manhood,  hut  all  d.  In  early  or  middle 
life,  except  John  and  Jacob.  The|  laat  mcnUoned  waa  a  colonel  In  the  U.  army,  and  d.  In 
US7or8,aged  81. 

4.  John,  p.  422.)  son  of  Nuthanlcl.  (3,)  was  b.  at  Norwich,  Dec.  80,  1762.  lie  aettled  in 
Waterbury,  and  m.  Marcia,  dau.  of  I>ea.  Stephen  fironaon,  Nor.  6,  17M.  8be  d.  March  ^1,  1618. 
Bod.  Aaf.M.I8M.  Out  L  Obwloa  D.,  b.  Not.  T,  17IS;  IL  Mkm  J«NBrooMa,b.  Oct. It, 
1797;  HI.  John  Southmay4,b.  II«T.  1A>  UM  { tV.  Bsnh  awwBft,  b.  HoT.  1, 1807,  WlUlaa 
Brown,  aod  d.  May  80,  ISM. 

a.  OhwlwOtalioa,MDor  Joha,  (4,)n.  BtetdM.  of  Pradorkk  L«T«nraHh,  <f,)llwch  t, 
int.  Ch. :  I.  Fn-'it^rlrk  Ji)hn,  b.  Jan.  1,  1828,  m.  Alathea  R.,  dau.  of  Wm.  H.  Scnrlll,  ApvtlM, 
USE.  Ch.,  Wm.  Charlca  and  Mary  Bonice  ;  II.  Sarah  Learcnworth,  b.  April  1, 1040.. 

<L  lf^JaltaiJ.BH(M»p.dli,)ioaorJobB,(4,)B.  JMMC.MMB«,«flf.T.  €h.:  I.  Jallu 

H.  ,  d.  Ill  CnllfornlK;  II.  Wnlter ;  III.  Mary  Jnru-.  m.  Capt.  8.B.  Bodour,  V.  fl*  UWfi  IT. 
Henry  W.,  now  of  the  U.  &.  MiliUry  Academy  at  Wcat  Point. 

T.  John  toolhmayd,  lea  of  John,  (4.)  n.  Abbey  H.,  dan.  of  DbbM  llayden,  Jan.  15,  inf. 
Ch. :  1.  James  D.,  1).  N  .v.  1-27,  d.  May  7.  KJ!  ;  11.  Qt-o.  B.,  b.  Sept.  8,  1929;  III.  Marcia  A  , 
b.  May  1,  1888,  m.  B.  Ware,  May  1.  ISM;  IV.  Sylvia  K.,  b.  Sept.  7, 1884,  m.  B.  D.  Orlirics,  May 

I,  18BI;  HmmVt  b.  BtfiL  T,  188C»d.  jM.lt,  1817;  TL  BwilA  A., b.  Jam  U,  1838 ;  Tit. 
AUi«f  8.,  h.  JoM  tti  Itit ;  Till.  Jobs  J.  IX,  b.  JaDr  IMk 


518 


HIBTORT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


11.  Mark,  (see  p.  424 J  son  of  JeMe,  (7,)  m.  Anna,  dnn.  of  Motes 
Cook,  who  (L  April  9,  1842,  aged  64,  and  he  id.  Susan  dau.  of 
Jowph  Cook,  No^.  1844.  She  d.  Dec.  15,  1848,  aged  61.  Oh.:  L 
Doct  Melines  Cookling,  h.  Jan.  15, 1796,  has  boen  a  ani^on  in  the 
IT.  S.  army,  and  is  an  eminent  hotanist;  IL  Anna  Maria,  b.  Feb.  10, 
1798,  m.  Hod.  Green  Kendriek;  IIL  Mark  M.,  KMay  18,  1800,  d. 
July,  1825;  IV.  Benjamin  Franklin,  b.  July  27,  1808,  m.  Jane  Bar- 
tholomew, was  murdered  in  California ;  Y.  Harriet,  b.  July  10, 1807,  d. 
May  25,  1808 ;  VI.  Harriet  b.  May  19,  1810,  d.  March  23,  1838; 
VIL  Catharine  EL,  b.  Aug.  1,  ro.  Corydon  8.  Speny,  d.  Feb.  9,  1855. 

12.  JosEi  ii,  son  of  Samuc!,  (6,)  m.  Tamer,  dau.  of  Benj.  Richards, 
Jan.  12,  1797.  Ch.:  Harriet,  b.  Nov.  19,  1798;  Hannah,  b.  Sept.  16, 
1800  ;  Joseph  S.  b.  Dec.  2,  1802,  d.  1841 ;  Samuel  E.,  b.  Aug.  11, 1805, 
d.  1814 ;  Rebecca,  b.  Feb.  9, 1811,d.  1838 ;  Maiy  G.,  b.  Sept  6,  1814 ; 
Sarah  Ann,  b.  Aug.  9, 1817. 

LEWia 

1.  JoaspB  IiEWia,  of  Windsor  and  Simsbnry,  had  aons,  Joseph  and 

John. 

2.  Dea.  JosEPn,  (see  p.  165,)  son  of  Josepli,  (1.)  settled  in  Waterbury, 
and  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Abraham  Andruss,  April  7,  1703.  He  d.  Nov. 
29,  1749,  his  wife  March  6,  1773.  Ch. :  A  dau.,  b  Aug.  12,  1704,  d. 
Sept.  1701;  11.  Joseph,  b.  July  12,  1705;  III.  Sarah,  b.  April  29, 
1708,  m.  Obadiah  Warner;  IV.  John,  h.  April  14,  1711  ;  V.  Mary,  b. 
Juno  10,  17U,  ni.  Daniel  Williams;  VI.  lUv.  Thomas,  b.  Auc:.  6, 
171G,  grad.  at  Y.  C.  in  1741,  l>ecame  a  Congregational  clergyman; 
VII.  Samuel,  b.  July  G,  1718  ;  VIII.  Abraham,  b.  Feb.  1721,  d.  young. 

3.  JoBEPH,  sonof  Joseph,  (2,)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  John  Slaughter  of  Sims- 
bury,  Nov.  12,  1727.    She  d.  April  4,  1738,  and  he  m.  Elizabeth  

He'd.  Oct  22,  1749.  Ch.:  I.  Elisha,  b.  Jan.  30,  1728-9  ;  II.  Samuel, 
b.  Fob.  8,  1730-31  ;  III.  Damaras,  b.  April  22,  1734,  m.  Samuel  Scott; 

Joseph,  b.  Oct  16,  1730;  V.  Abraham;  VI.  Khoda,  d.  Maj  2, 
1767. 

4.  Jons,  son  of  Joseph,  (2,)  m.  Mary,  dau,  of  Samuel  Munn  of 
Woodbury,  Dec.  4,  1734.  She  d.  SepL  30,  1749,  and  he  m.  Amy, 
dau.  of  Capt-  Samuel  Smith  of  New  Haven,  May  29,  1750.  Ch. :  I. 
David,  b.  April,  1736,  d.  1754  ;  II.  John,  b.  Dec.  1740;  III.  Sarah,  b. 
April,  1743  ;  IV.  Amy,  b.  May  24,  1751  ;  V.  Samuel  Smith,  b.  SepU  7, 
1753;  VI.  David,  l>.  April  11,  1756. 

5.  Dea.  Samuel,  sou  of  Joseph,  (2,)  m.  Ilannah,  dau.  of  Ilczekiah 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


APPDISIX. 


519 


Hew,  May  19,  1743.  She  d.  in  1759,  and  he  ra.  Eunice,  dau.  of  Ephraira 
Beebe  of  Saybrook,  Nov.  7,  1763.  He  d.  April  11,  1788.  Ch.:  I. 
Abraham,  b.  Oct.  21,  1744,  d.  1749  ;  II.  Bev.  Amzi,  b.  Oct.  9,  1746, 
was  graduated  at  Y.  C.  in  1768,  and  became  a  clergyman  ;  IIL  Olive, 
b.  Dec.  10,1749;  IV.  Lucy,  b.  March  18,  1753,  m.  Simeon  Por- 
ter; V.  Mary  b.    31,  1755,  d.  1759  ;  VI.  True,  b.  Jan.  16,  1760, 

m.  Nathan  Porter;  VII.  Uester,  b.  May  3,  1705,  m.  Lucian  Spencer; 
VIIL  Molle,  b.  March  9, 1768,  m.  Culpeper  Hoadley  ;  IX.  Samuel,  b. 
Jniie  4,  1 770,  d.  while  a  member  of  Y.  C. ;  X.  Asahel,  b.  Aug  8,  1772, 
d.  aged  37,  leaving  a  large  and  respectable  family  ;  XT.  Eunice,  b.  Dec 
10, 1775,  m.  Ist,  Ebenezer  Faircbild,  2d,  Elias  Scott,  both  of  Oxford. 

6.  Elisiia,  son  of  Joseph,  (3,)  m.  Tamer,  dau.  of  Samuel  Hale  of  New 
Haven,  June  14,  1750.  Ch. :  I.  Jabez,  b.  Sept  10,  1751  ;  II.  Tamer,  b. 
Dec.  28,  1752;  lU.  Brazilla,  b.  March  28,  1754;  IV.  Nabolh,  b.Juoe 
24,  175C. 

7.  John,  son  of  John,  (4,)  was  a  capU  in  the  Revolution.  He  m. 
Sarah,  dau.  of  James  Gordon,  Nov,  17,  1763.  Ch. :  I.  Anna,  b.  Jan. 
5,  1765;  II.  Ezra,  b.  May  28,  1768;  HI.  Leva,  b.  July  20,  1770;  IV. 
.John,  b.  July  16,  1772;  V.  Chauncey ;  VI.  Sarah;  VIL  Alanson; 
VIII.   . 

8.  Abkaham,  son  of  Joseph,  (3,)  m.  Ruth  huh],  Nov.  9,  1767,  who 
d.  April  20,  1814.  Ch. :  I.  Rhoda,  b.  June  (>,  1769;  IL  Aujiel,  b.  July 
18,  17  72,  m.  Lydia  Merrill,  and  had  eleven  ch. 

0.  Saml'el  Smith,  son  of  John,  (4,)  m.  Abigail  Baldwin,  Feb.  22, 
1770,  and  d.  in  1842.  Ch. :  I.  Rev.  Thomjis,  b.  April  13,  1777,  gratl. 
Y.  C.  in  1798,  and  d.  in  Georgia,  March  3,  1804  ;  II.  Sally,  b.  Aug.  30, 
1781 ;  III.  Milo,  b.  Oct.  22,  1789,  resides  in  Naugatuck. 

PORTER. 

1.  Doct.  Daniel  Pouter  of  Farmington,  had  ch. :  Daniel,  Mary,  Nebe- 
miah,  Richard,  Ann,  John  and  Samuel.    (See  p.  171.) 

2.  Doc  t.  Daniel,  son  of  Daniel,  (1,)  had,  Daniel,  James,  Thomas, 
Deborah,  Ebenezer  and  Anne.    (See  p.  172.) 

3.  RicnAHi),«on  of  I>aniel,  (1,)  had,  Daniel,  Joshua,  Mary,  Ruth, 
Samuel,  Uezekiab,  John,  Timothy,  Uezekiab,  Joehua  and  Kich%rd.  (S«e 
p.  173.) 

4.  Doct.  Damkl,  son  of  Daniel,  (2,)  had,  I.  Preserved,  b.  Nov.  23, 
1729  ;  II.  Dr.  l)aniel,  b.  March  17,  1731,  was  a  surgeon  in  the  armv, 
and  d.  at  Crown  Point  in  1759,  unm.;  III.  Hannah,  b.  Jure  16,  1733, 
m.  Obadiah  Scovill ;  IV.  Timothy,  b.  June  10,  1735;  V.  Susanna,  b. 
July  17,  1737,  m.  1st,  Daniel  Killam  of  New  iiavcn,  July  4,  1758,  and 


520 


HUTOBT  or  WATBBBITBT 


2d,  John  Casset  of  Sim>bury,  Sept.  1707  ;  VI.  Anna,  b.  Dec.  6,  1738, 
m.  Daniel,  son  of  Ju&iuh  iirunson  ;  VII.  Jemima;  VIII.  Elizabeth. 

5.  Doct.  James,  son  of  Daniel,  (2,)  had,  I.  iluldah,  b.  Dec.  8,  1733, 

m.  1st,  Fairchild,  2d,  David  Ta)  lor;  II.  Jame»,  b.  Nov.  10.  1737; 

HI.  David,  Aug,  11,  1740. 

6.  Capt  Thomas,  son  of  Daniel,  (2,)  had,  I.  Sarali,  b.  SepU  24,  1728, 
in.  Enoch  Scott ;  II.  Ashbel,  b.  Feb.  2,  1730;  III.  Mary,  b.  Jan.  5, 
1732,  m.  Joel  Sanford ;  IV.  Eunice,  b.  April  19,  1734,  d.  uiun.;  V. 
Thoma*,  b.  May  9,  1730  ;  VI.  Tbineas,  b.  Dec.  1,  1739  ;  VII.  Elizabeth, 
b.  May  9,  1741,  ni.  Timothy  Clark;  VIII.  Simeon,  b.  June  18,  1744, 

m.  Lewis,  and  went  to  Ohio;  IX.  Sybbel,  b.  Aug.  8,  1747,  d. 

young;  X.  Dorcas,  b.  Aug.  2,  1751,  m.  Erastua  Bradley  of  New 
Haven. 

7.  Edenezer,  son  of  Daniel,  (2.)  had,  I.  Lydia,  b.  April  9,  1741,  m. 
^bel  Beecber  of  New  Haven,  Aug.  31, 1704  ;  II.  Asa,  b.  Aug.  7,  1743  ; 

in.  ^  b.  1745,  d.  1746 ;  IV.  Mary,  b.  Juno  14,  1749,  d.  March  22, 

1760. 

8.  Saihtbl,  SOD  of  Doct  Richard,  (3,)  m.  Mary,  daa.  of  Jobn  Bron- 
ton.  May  9,  1722.  Adminittntion  was  granted o&  fab  esUito  March  22, 
1727-8,  and  only  one  ch.  is  mentioned.  The  wid.  in.  Jobn  Btrnea. 
Cb.,  as  recorded,  Samuel,  b.  Dee.  22,  1723  ;  Lucy,  b.  Oct  12, 1725. 

9.  TuioTBT,  son  of  Riobard,  (3,)  m.  1st,  Mary,  dao.  of  Jonathan 
Baldwin,  Dec  18,  1735,  and  2d,  Hannah  Winters,  in  1767.  He  re- 
moved to  Stratford.  Cb.,  reooided  in  Waterbury  ;  I.  Sybbel,  b.  March 
28,  1737 ;  IL  John,  b.  Feb.  22,  1739,  m.  Pfaebe  Curtiss  of  Wallingford, 
Nov.  7,  1770;  III.  Lois,  b.  Feb.  6,  1743 ;  IV.  Mary,  b.  May  8,  1745 ; 
y.  Marh,  b.  March  27, 1748 ;  VL  Ruth,  b.  May  17,  1750 ;  YIL  and 
VIIL  Timothy  and  Lucy,  b.  June  8, 1753. 

10.  pRiSBBTED,  son  of  Daniel,  (4,)  m.  Sarah  Gould  of  New  MUford, 
April  8, 1764,  who  d.  in  1780.  He  m.  2d,  Lydia  Wetton,  Dee.  9, 1781, 
and  d.  Oct  23,  1803.  Ch.:  I.  Hannah,  b.  Nov.  10,  1766,  m.  Joseph 
Bronson;  H.  Levinia,  b.  July  21,  1767,  m.  Doct  Joseph,  son  of  Doet 
Timothy  Porter,  and  d.  Nov.  18,  1848 ;  HI.  Isaac,  b.  July  27, 1770,  d. 
June  25, 1772 ;  IV.  Isaao,  b.  March  27,  1774,  m.  Aroarilla,  dan.  of  Joel 
Hickoz,  still  living,  and  has  a  son.  Preserved  Hickoz,  in  Newark,  N.  J. 
y.  Jesse,  b.  Oct  31,  1777. 

11.  Doct  TiMOTHT,  son  of  Daniel,  (4,)  m.  Mai]garet,  dan.  of  Gideon 
Skinner  of  Bolton,  Conn.  She  was  b.  Sept  27,  1739,  and  d.  April  12, 
1813.  He  d.  Jan.  24,.  1792.  Ch.:  L  Daniel,  b.  Sept  23,  1768;  IL 
Sylvia  C,  b.  Feb.  24, 1771,  m.  1st  John  King  of  Bloomfield,N.  Y.,  2d, 
Nathan  Rosecf  Avon,N.  T.,and  d.Feb.  14, 1813 ;  IIL  Dr.  Joseph,  b.  Sept 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


5S1 


8,  1772,  m.  Lennifl,  dau.  of  Preserved  Porter — no  ch.;  IV.  Olive,  b. 
July  20,  1775,  ra.  Moses  Hall  and  d.  May  30,  1845.  IIo  d.  Jan.  29, 
1857  ;  V.  Anna,  b.  April  5, 1777,  ra.  Richard  F.  VVelton,  Dec  10,  1804; 
VI.  CbauDcey,  b.  April  24,  1770 ;  VIL  Timothy  Hopkioa,  b.  Nov.  28, 
1785. 

12.  James,  son  of  James,  (5,)  ra.  Lucy,  dau.  of  Josiah  Bronson,  Nov. 

9,  1762.  She  d.  Oct.  14,  1776,  and  he  m.  Mary  Gambel,  April  23, 
1778.  He  d.  Nov.  10,  1822.  Ch.:  I.Jesse,  b.  June  25,  1763;  II. 
Dorcas,  l>.  June  11,  1706,  ra.  Ward  Peck,  Jan.  22,  1784,  and  d.  May 
11,  1847;  HI.  A  son,  b.  Nov.  22,  1768,  d.  same  day;  IV.  James,  b. 
Aug.  3,  1772  ;  V.  Mary,  b.  Aug.  2,  1779;  VI.  Reuben,  b.  Oct.  24, 
1780;  Vir.  Melinda,  b.  April  26,  1783;  VIII.  Clarinda,  b.  Oct  16, 
1780  ;  IX.  Josiah,  Aug.  30,  1792;  X.  Samuel,  b.  Dec.  28,  1793. 

13.  David,  son  of  James,  (o,)  m.  Esther,  dau.  of  Dea.  Timothy  Hop- 
kins, Dec-  7,  1775.  He  d.  April  4,  1826,  and  his  wid.  d.  Sept.  27,  18:U. 
Ch.:  I.  Silas,  b.  Oct.  21,  1776  J  U.  Wiiliam,  b.  March  18,  1782;  UI. 
David,  b.  June  22,  1783. 

14.  AsiiuKL,  son  of  Thos.  (6,)  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  John  Morris  of 
Stratford,  Nov.  24,  1762.  Ch. :  I.  Sybbel,  b.  Aug.  21,  1764  ;  H.  Ash- 
bel,  b.  Nov.  16,  1766;  IIL  Eli»8,(!)  b.  Jan.  16,  1768 ;  IV.  Hannah,  (?) 
b.  Jan.  8,  1771. 

15.  Thomas,  son  of  Thos.  (6,)  m.  Mehitable,  dau.  of  Daniel  Iline  of 
New  Milford,  Dec.  12,  1758.  She  d.  June  1,  1837,  aged  08.  Ch.:  I. 
Sybbel,  b.  Nov.  10,  1759;  II.  Rebecca,  b.  June  5,  1761,  m.  Jared  By- 
ingt(Hi ;  IIL  Truman,  d.  SepU  8, 1763  ;  IV.  Ethel,  b.  1765,  and  d.  March 
2,  17U7. 

16.  Col.  Phin'Eas,  son  of  Thos.  (0,)  m.  Esther,  dau.  of  Thos.  Clark, 
July  12,  1770.  She  d.  March  18,  1772,  and  he  m.  2d,  wid.  Melliscent, 
Lewis,  dau.  of  Jonathan  Haldwin,  Dec.  23,  1778.  Iled.  March  9. 1804. 
Ch.:  I.  Esther,  b.  March  13,  1772,  m.  Len  Beardsley, Jan.  5,  1789, and 
d.  Sept.  5,  1808  ;  II.  "  Orisaana,"  b.  Nov.  1,  1779,  d.  July  8,  1781  ;  III. 
Sally,  b.  Feb.  20,  1782  ;  IV.  Ansel,  b.  Aug.  2,  1784  ;  V.  Orlando,  b. 
May  8,  178  7  ;  VI.  Betsey,  b.  April  14,  1790,  m.  Zenas  Cook,  and  d. 
Oct.  12,  1857. 

17.  Asa,  800  of  Ebeneser,  (7,)  m,  Bebofah  Fuller,  Oct  82,  1765. 
Gb.;  L  Ami,  K  Jane  6, 1767 ;  IL  Glimeoa,  b.  JTan.  8, 1770. 

18.  SamuiLi  son  of  Stmaet,  (8,)  m.  Mary,  daa.  of  Stephen  TJpBon, 
Bee.  0,  1747,  sad  d.  Jan.  8,  1 798.  His  wife  d.  Msrob  23, 1780.  Ch. : 
I.  Ebeneser,  b.  Jan.  24, 1750 ;  IL  Jemima,  b.  Nov.  18, 1752 ;  HI.  Sam- 
uel, b.  Oct.  7, 1755. 

19.  IsAAO,  son  of  DocL  Preserved,  (10.)  m.  Amsrilla,  dan.  of  Joel 


i_.vju,^uu  Ly  Google 


529 


HUTOST  OF  WAISBSUBT. 


Uickox,  Nov.  13,1799.  Ch. :  I.Sarah  Gould,  b.  April  0,  1800;  11. 
Preserved  H.,  b.  SepL  9, 1803,  m.  Garolioe  Keene,  and  resides  at  New- 
ark, N.  J. — no  ch. 

20.  DocL  Jessk,  son  of  Preserved,  (10,)  m.  Comfort,  dau.  of  Chaun- 
cey  Camp,  June  0,  1808.  She  was  b.  March  1,  1786,  and  d.  Aug.  10, 
1855.  Ch.:  I.  Denman  Camp,  b.  May  22,  1810;  II.  Sally  Ann,  b. 
May  6,  1812,  m.  Lewis  Ilutchkiss,  who  d. — no  ch. ;  III.  Adelia,  b. 
April  15,  1815,  m.  David  S.  Law  aadd.  March  13, 1857 ;  IV.  Preserved 
G.,  b.  Jan.  18,  1822. 

21.  Daniel,  son  of  Timothy,  (11,)  ni.  Ana,  dau.  of  Ingliam, 

and  grand-dau.  of  Israel  Clark  of  Southington,  June  9,  1789.  She  was 
b.  Oct.  17,  1770,  and  d.  March  26,  1831.  Ch. :  L  Horace,  b.  SepL 
30,1790;  II.  Timothy,  b.  Jan.  30,  1792;  III.  Elias,  b.  May  14,  1795; 
IV.  Alma  Anna,  b.  April  12,  1800,  m.  William  Orion,  Jan.  1822,  and 
d.  Feb.  25,  1823,  leaving  a  dau.  Caroline  ;  V.  Daniel,  b.  May  20,  1805, 
— a  physician,  became  iusaue  ia  1845;  VL  Joseph,  b.  July  11,  1807, 
d.  Jan.  5,  1812. 

22.  CuAUNCET,  son  of  Timothy,  (11,)  m.  Sylvia  Brockway,  at  Scho- 
daok,  near  Albany,  N.  Y.  lied,  at  Piltsfonl,  in  that  State,  May  17, 
1830.  Ch.:  I.  Chauncey,  d.  in  childhood  ;  II.  Sylvia  Rose,  b.  Jan.  19, 
1807, m.  Lieut.  Kitli;irJ>()n,  of  the  U.  S.  Army;  III.  Olive  Ann,  b. 
March  9,  1809,  m,  K.  S.  Williams  of  Avon,  N.  Y. ;  IV.  Caroline,  b. 
June  7,  1811,  m.  George  W.  Chyler,  a  lawyer  of  Palmyra,  N.  Y. ;  V. 
Margaret,  b.  May  9,  1814,  ra.  Ephraim  Gos«,  a  lawyer  at  Pillsford,  N. 
Y.;  VL  Jane  Maria,  b.  Nov.  21,  1816;  VIL  Chauncey  H..  b.  Aug. 
11,  1818;  VIII.  Mary  E.,  b.  May  18,  1821  ;  IX.  Sarah  L.,  b.  Jan.  25, 
1824  ;  X.  James  IL,  b.  Nov.  5,  1826. 

23.  Hon.  Timothy  II.,  son  of  Doct.  Timothy,  (11.)  m.  Lucy,  dau.  of 
Judge  Moore  of  Angelica,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  8,  1811,  and  d.  at  Clean,  N.  Y., 
Dec.  1845.  CIi.:  I.  Willard,  b.  Aug.  7,  1812,  d.  July  26,  lbI9;  IL 
Joseph  Hopkins,  h.  April  11,  1818  ;  IIL  Olive  M.,  b.  July  27,  1820,  d. 
Feb.  26,  1821  ;  IV.  Harriet  M.,  b.  June  7,  1822  ;  V.  John,  b.  April  25, 
1824;  VL  Lucy,b.  Aug.  6,  1826,  d.  Feb.  8,  1831  ;  VIL  Timothy,  b. 
April  20,  1828,  d.  April  6,  1829  ;  VIII.  Willard,  b.  June  8,  1830  ;  IX. 
Edward,  b.  March  20,  1832;  X.  George,  b.  Feb.  25,  1834;  XI.  James, 
b.  Sept.  16,  1835;  XIL  Andrew,  b.  Aug.  11,  1839,  d.  Oct.  G,  1841. 

24.  Silas, son  of  David,  (13,)  m.  Polly,  dau.  of  Benjamin  Strong  of 
Southburr,  Dec  21,  1802.  Ch.:  L  Edwin,  b.  Feb.  25,  1804  ;  IL  Es- 
ther, b.  June  8,  1806. 

25.  TBiniAv,Bon  of  Thos.,  (15,)  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Jonathan  Tbomp- 
son  of  New  Haven,  Jan.  1,  1784.   Cb. :  1.  Margaret,  b.  Nov.  23, 1784 ; 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


APrannz. 


528 


IL  Minerva,  b.  Oct  24,  1788;  III.  Julius,  b.  Aug.  20,  1790;  IV. 
Thomai,  K  Jan.  7,  1793;  V.  Alma,  b.  Feb.  9,  1795;  VI.  Sally,  b. 
Sept.  25,  1801;  VII.  Myretta,  b.  June  24,  1803  ;  VIII.  Hector,  b. 
Aug.  11,  1805;  IX.  William,  b.  Oct.  20,  1807,  d.  March  80,  1809. 

20.  AssBL,  SOD  of  Phineas,  (16,)  m.  Lucy,  dau.  of  Ward  Peckf 
April,  1606,— was  an  officer  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  d.  Oct.  9,  1814. 
Ch. :  Phineas,  d.  a<Ted  10  months:  II.  Melliscent,  d.  aged  about 7; 
IlL  Ansel  Charles,  b.  Nov.  lU,  1811,  nu  Buth  Ann,  dau.  of  Cyrus  . 
Sherman  of  Woodbury, — ban  bad  two  ch. 

27.  Oblando,  son  of  Phineas,  (10,)  m.  Olive,  dan.  of  Samuel  Frost, 
and  went  to  Pa  ,  and  d.  at  Ilarrisburg,  Jan.  1,  1836.    Ch. :  I.  Fliza 

M.,d.  young;  II.  Mary  Bl,  U  July  2,  1810,  m.  Ist,  Ba^ti^  2d, 

Doct.  Bradford, — is  living  near  Wilkabarre,  Pa.;  III.  Geoi^  Phin- 
eas, m.  Julia  Worthing,  of  Kingston,  is  a  Methodist  preacher. 

28.  EDBNBZBR,8on  of  Samuel,  (18,)  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Ephraiin  Uee- 
be,  Aug.  31,1774.  Ch.:  I.  Daniel,  b.  Aug.  20,  1775;  II.  Asa,  b. 
Jan.  20,  1778;  III.  Samuel  E.,  b.  July  20,  1782;  IV.  Ezra,  b.  May 
27,  1785  ;  V.  Olive,  b.  Feb.  23. 1787,  d.  March  13,  1787;  VL  Aaron, 
b.  Feb.  23,  1790,  d.  same  day. 

29.  Samubl,  son  of  Samuel,  (18,)  m.  Sybbel,  dau.  of  Obadiah  Men- 
son,  Jan.  28,  1778.  Shed.  Feb.  5,  1794,  and  he  ra.  Lucy,  dau.  of 
Dea.  Andrew  Bronson,  Nov.  22,  1705.  Ch. :  I.  Lucy,  b.  Nov.  14, 
1778;  IL  Eunice,  b.  March  23,  1780,  d.  May  1,  1780;  III.  Stephen, 
b.  Sept.  22,  1781  ;  IV.  Obadiah,  b.  July  24,  1783;  Y.  Azubah,  b.  July 
G,  1785;  VL  Marshal,  b.  June  4,  17&8;  VIL  Samuel  M.,  b.  May, 
1790;  VIIL  Shelden,  b.  March  31,  1792;  IX.  L.  Bronson,  b.  Sept.  8, 
1799;  X.  Leonard,  b.  July  23,  1802. 

30.  Horace,  son  of  Daniel,  (21,)  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  P^htjnezt'r  Fris- 
bie,  May  20,  1811.  Shed.  April  11,  1844,  and  ho  m.  Esther  M.  W. 
Hull,  Nov.  23,  184.*).  Ch.:  I.  Horace  Clark,  b.  March  9,  1812,  d.  Aug. 
11,  1831  ;  II.  Hannah  C,  b.  Sept.  1,  1813,  m.  Chrisloplier  L.  Ward,  of 
Towanda,  Pa.,  has  a  son  Henry;  III.  Hamlet  C,  b.  July  11,  1815,  d. 
Aug.  9,  183i;  IV.  Ilobart  C,  b.  Feb.  2,  1819,  m.  Jerusha,  dau.  of 
Benj.  Bronson,  has  two  ch. ;  V.  Henry  C,  b.  April  20, 1825,  m.  Eliza 
E.,  dau.  of  Nathan  N.  Jietts,  of  Towanda,  Pa.,  is  a  physician  ;  VI.  Mar- 
garet A.,  l>.  July  27,  1«4G;  VIL  Sarah  E.,  b.  Aug.  19,  1849. 

31.  TiMoTHv,  son  of  Daniel,  (21,)  ra.  Clara,  dau.  of  Ebenezer  Frisbie. 
She  d.  Nov.  18,  1821,  and  he  m.  Polly  Ann  TothI,  Dec,  20, 1824.  Ch.: 
I.  Joseph,  1).  June  5,  1812;  II.  Mary  Ann,  b.  Aug.  21,  1815;  III. 
Jane  E.,  b.  Feb.  1818;  IV.  Timothy  U.,  b.  Feb.  16, 1826;  V.  Nathan 


584 


BmOBT  Ql*  WATBKBUBT. 


b.  Dec.  9, 1828  ;  VI.  Thomas,  b.  Feb.  7,  1831 ;  VIL  D»?id  b. 
March  8,  1883;  VIII.  Samuel  M.,  b.  May  17,  1835. 

32.  Elias,  son  of  Daniel,  (21,)  m.  Alma  Tj^ler,  Jan.  22, 1817,— bat 
one  cbUd,  James*  h.  March  26, 1818. 

PRICUAKD. 

1.  Roger  Pkicbard  came  from  Springfield,  Maw.,  to  Milford,  Conn^ 
previous  to  Dec.  18,  1653,  at  which  date  be  marrie^l  Elisabetb  Slough 
of  Milford.    lie  had  sons,  Joseph  and  l^enjamin.   Joeeph  was  b.  Oct. 

2, 16o4,  Beojamio  Jao.  81, 1667.   The  last  m.  ,  Nov.  14, 

1683. 

2.  Denjamik  and  James  Trichard  removed  from  Milford  to  Water- 
burj  alvout  1733.  Roger  Prichard,  also  from  Milford,  settled  at  Water^ 
bury  in  1738.    They  were  all  married  and  bad  children  previous  to 

Uieir  settlement  in  Waterbury. 

3.  Benjamin,  (2,)  m.  Ist,  Mary  Andrews  of  Milford,  Jan.  20,  1712-13, 
and  2(1,  Hannah  Marks,  July  4,  1733.  lie  <i.  in  1700,  leaving  eh.:  I. 
John  ;  II.  Benjamin  ;  III.  Nathaniel ;  IV.  P^lnathan  ;  V.  Desire,  b.  July 
7,  1734  ;  VI.  .lonatlian,  b.  Oct.  19,  1739;  VII.  Esther. 

4.  James,  (2,)  m.  Elizabetli  Johnson  of  Stratford,  Dec.  25,  1721,  and 
d.  1749.  Ch. :  I.  James,  b.  Jan.  31,1722-3;  II.  George,  b.  Oct.  5, 
1724;  III.  Elizabeth,  b.  March  12,  1726  ;  IV.  Isaac,  b.  Sept.  20,  1729  ; 
V.  John,  b.  .July  25,  1734,  d.  1740  ;  VI.  J>avid,  b.  April  7,  1737  ;  VII. 
Anna.  b.  April  4.  1740. 

5.  Roger,  (2,)  m.  Ist,  Hannah  Northrup  of  Milford,  March  8, 

1715-10,  and  2d,  Sarah   ,  and  d.  May  18,  1700.    Ch.:  I.  Roger; 

II.  Sarah,  m.  Joseph  Fenn,  Jr.;  III.  Ann,  m.  Stephen  Bradley;  IV. 

Phebe,  b.  April  10,  1731,  ni.    Warner;  V.  Abigail,  b.  March  15, 

1733.  d.  before  1700;  VI.  Sibella.  b.  June,  1730,  d.  young;  VII. 
Abraham,  b.  Oct.  12,  1737  ;  VIII.  Ainoe,  b.  Aug.  27,  1739 ;  IX.  Elihu, 
b.  Oct.  27,  1741. 

0.  James,  son  of  James,  (4,)  ni.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Ebenezer  Ilickox, 
Aug.  7,  1740,  and  had,  I.  Jabez,  b.  Feb.  18,  1741  ;  II.  Jerahiah,  b.  April 
13,  1743  ;  III.  Elisha,  b.  0(  t.  1,  1745,  d.  1740  ;  IV.  "James  the  I^ss," 
b.  April,  1748,  d.  1749;  V.  James,  b.  June  4,  1750;  VI.  Abigail,  b. 

May  14,  1  752. 

7.  (JKoKtiE,  son  of  James,  (4,)  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Abraham  Ilotcli- 
kiss  of  New  Haven,  Feb.  8,  1744-5,  and  d.  Oct.  21,  1820.  His  wife  d. 
F'eb.  17,  1802.  Ch.:  I.  Chloe,  b.  Sept.  30,  1745  ;  II.  Georpe,  b.  April 
4,  1747;  III.  Patience,  b.  Dec  10,  1748,  d.  1749  ;  IV.  Patience,  b. 
May  8,  1751;  V.  John,  b.  April  3,  1753  ;  VI.  Isaiah,  b.  March  30, 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


AFMBHUJC 


585 


1765;  VII.  Didymus,  b.  April  27,  1757,  d.  1758;  VIII.  Ilannah,  b. 
Dec  5,  1768 ;  IX.  £liMb6tb,  b.  SepL  7,  1762;  X.  lUbeoc^  b.  Sept.  16, 
1766. 

8.  Isaac,  mn  of  James,  (4,)  m.  Lois,  dau.  of  Isaac  Bronson,  Oct  4, 
1768.  Cb:  L  Jarad, b.M*y  16, 1760 ;  IL  lidda,  b.  April  84, 1763,  and 

others. 

9.  David,  son  of  James,  (4,)  m.  Ruth  Smith.  Ch. :  I.  Archibald,  b. 
June  25,  1758;  II.  Ruth;  III.  Miriam;  IV.  Philo;  Sylvia;  VI. 
Molle,  d.  1772;  VII.  Molie ;  VIIL  David;  IX.  Damon,  b.  Not.  6, 
1777;  X.SaUj,  b.June  28,1780. 

10.  Roger,  son  of  Roger,  (5,)  m.  Ann  Bucgbe  of  Derby,  Feb.  16, 
1742-3.  Cb.:  L  rhilenor,  b.  May  18,  1744;  II.  Sybel,  b.  Oct.  25, 
1746,  d.  1749  ;  IIL  Elihu;  b.  Sept.  19,  1747,  d.  1749;  IV.  Elihu,  b.  July 
19,  1749.d.  1751  ;  V.  Ann,  b.  April  24, 1752;  VI.  Thomas,  b.  Nov.  29, 
1754  ;  VII.  Eliphalet,  b.  Dec.  2,  1750  ;  VIII.  Elihu,  b.  May  23.  1759. 

11.  Anu4UAJi,  son  of  Roger,  (5,)  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Thomas  Smith 
of  Derby,  March  13,  1766,  and  had,  I.  Reuben,  b.  Sept.  30,  1700;  II. 
Abigiil.  b.  Jan.  28,  1708;  III.  Sybel,  b.  Oct.  21,  1709,  d.  Nov,  1789  ; 
IV.  John  Suiith,  b.  Oct.  27,  1770,  d.  1773;  V.  Sarah,  b.  1773;  VL 
— — ;  VI.  Phebe,  b.  March  20,  1778. 

12.  A.Mos,  son  of  Roger,  (.5,)  m.  Lydia  lilakeslee,  May  26,  1768,  who 
d.  1771,  and  he  m.  2d,  wid.  Mary  Adams,  Aug.  20,  1777.  Ch. :  I. 
Lydia,  b.  April  12,  1769;  II.  Amos,  b.  Oct.  22,  1770;  III.  Roger,  b. 
May  17,  1777,  d.  1779  ;  IV.  Sabra,  b.  Jan.  6,  1780;  V.  Roger,  b.  May 
7,  1782;  VI.  Orra,  b.  Oct.  26,  1783;  VII.  Elias  b.  Jan.  28,  1786; 
VIII.  Aaron,  b.  Dec  1,  1788  ;  IX.  Ruth,  b.  Oct.  17,  17'Jl. 

13.  George,  son  of  George,  (7,)  m.  Ilannali  Williams,  Dec.  24, 
1767.  Ch. :  I.  Didimus,  b.  May  28,  1709  ;  II.  Jane,  b.  SepU  23,  1771  ; 
III.  Chloe,  b.  Oct  23,  1773  ;  IV.  Ezra,  b.  Oct,  10,  1775. 

14.  Akchiuald,  son  of  David,  (9,)  m.  Sybil,  dau.  of  John  Smith  of 
Canterbury,  Oct  28,  1782.  Ch.:  I.Julius  C.,b.June  16,  1784,  d.  1788; 
XL  *'Soffey,"  b.  Aug.  28,  1780  ;  III.  Adelia. 

15.  Philo,  son  of  David,  (9.)  m.  Sabra  Johnson, Dec  17,  1783.  Ch.: 
I.  "Suky,"  b.  July  26,  1784. 

16.  David,  son  of  David,  (9,)  m.  Anne,  dau,  of  Benjamin  Hitchcock, 
Nov.  9,  1707.  Cli.:  I.  Minerva,  b.  June  22,1798;  II.  William,  b. 
Marcli  20.  1800;  III.  Julius  Smith,  b.  Feb.  14.  1802  ;  IV.  EHzur  E.,  b. 
Sept  19,  1804  ;  V.  Anna,  b.  Sept  9,  1806;  VI.  Sally  II.,  b.  Autr.  29, 
1808;  VII.  Dr.  David,  b.  Oct  24,  1810;  VIII.  Samuel  11.,  b.  May 
27,  1813  ;  IX.  Chariotle  L.,  b.  June  27,  1816. 

17.  John,  bod  of  Abraham,  (11,)  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  Eben  HotcbkiM, 


i_.vju,^uu  Ly  Google 


m 


HIBIOBT  OV  WAnBBUBT. 


Maich  26, 1806.  Ch.:  I.  Eben,  U  Nor.  6, 1806^  IL  Bea,  U  April 
82, 1808. 

I  have  not  found  the  eonneedon  of  the  following  with  the  pro- 
cading* 

JosKPH  Prichard,  son  of  of  Milfonl,  m.  Rebecca,  dau.  of  James 

Sroilh  of  Waterbury,  Aug.  2,  17C1,  and  d.  at  Saybrook,  Oct.  23,  1775, 
aged  35,  Ch. :  I.  Saral),  h.  Sept.  5, 1763  ;  IL  Mary,  b.  Aug.  19,  1765  ; 
m.  Thoroaa  Gaiu»,  b.  Oct.  3,  1768;  IV.  William,  b.  June  4,  1771 ;  V. 
Elizabeth,  b.  April  14,  1774. 

RICHAllDSON. 

1.  Thomas  Richardson  or  Richason  had  ch.,  Thomas,  Mary, 
Sarah,  John,  larael,  Rebecca,  Ruth,  Johannab,  Nathaniel,  EbeneKr. 

(See  p.  179.) 

2.  John,  son  of  Thomas,  (1,)  had  ch.,  I.  Ruth,  b.  Feb.  10,  lTOl-2,  m. 
lat,  John  Hill,  2d,  Moses  Doolittle;  II.  and  III.  b.  Sept.  4,  1703,  and 
d.  the  same  month  ;  IV.  Elizabeth,  b.  Oct  5,  1704,  m.  Nathaniel  Arnold, 
Jr.;  V.  Mary,  b.  Feb.  14,  1707,  m.  Nathan  Prindle;  VI.  Sarah,  b.  April 
28,  1710,  ra.  Samuel  Weed;  VII.  John,  b.  March  5,  1713,  d.  before 
Nov.  28,  1749.  Hi*  estate  was  distributed  to  his  four  sisters  or  their 
children. 

3.  Israel,  son  of  Thomas,  (1,)  had  ch.:  I.  Mary,  b.  April  IC,  1699, 
d.  Dec.  5,  1712;  II.  Hannah,  b.  April  2,  1705,  m.  John  Scott;  III. 
Joseph,  b.  June  11,  Huti ;  IV.  larael,  b.  Aug.  28,  1711,  lived  io  Sun- 
derland, Mass. 

4.  Ebbsezer,  son  of  Thomas,  (1,)  had  ch. :  I.  Phel)e,  b.  April  22, 
1716,  d.  Jan,  0,  1717;  II.  Phebe,  b.  Dec.  15,  1717;  III.  Thomas,  b. 
Dec.  7,  1720;  IV.  Joseph,  b.  Sept  24,  1725,  d.  young;  V.  Nathaniel, 
b.  April  8,  1729;  VI.  Sarah,  b.  Dec.  23,  1731. 

5.  Thomas,  son  of  Ebenezer,  (4,)  m.  Abigail  Way,  April  8,  1756, 
who  d.  Jan.  21,  1776,  and  he  m.  2d,  Eunice,  wid.  of  John  Ilickox, 
April  15,  1776.  Cb. :  L  Sanh,  b.  June  8, 1767,  d.  Jan.  13,  1772  ;  IL 
Irene,  b.  March  15,  1750,  d.  July  6,  1774;  10.  Gbloe,  b.  July  26, 
1701,  d.  Feb.  26,  1776;  IV.  Israel,  V.  Sept.  26,  1764,  d.  March  29, 
1772 ;  V.  Abigail,  b.  May  24,  1760,  d.  April  8, 1772 ;  VL  Anner,  b. 
Mareli  13, 1771,  d.  April  20, 1772;  VIL  Hiooum,  b.  Jane  12, 1777 ; 
VIIL  Margaret,  b.  Aug.  14, 1779,  m.  John  Beeoher ;  IX.  Eunice,  K 
Dee.  21, 1781,  m.  flMnnel  Porter. 

6.  NaTHAnm,  ton  of  Bbeneier,  (4,)  m.  Phebe,  dau.  of  John  Bton- 
800,  April  1, 1752,  and  d.  Oet  81, 1799.  Hit  wife  d.  April  6,  1811 
Oh. :  L  JoMph,  k  Mareh  28, 1764,  d.  June  16,  1778 ;  IL  Tamer,  hi 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


APFIHIUX* 


587 


Sept.  13,  1758,  m.  Stephen  Hotchkiss;  III.  Ruth,  b.  Dec.  15,  1761,  m. 
Ashbe)  Odborne,  June  9,  1785 ;  IV.  Phebe,  b.  June  17,  1765,  m.  Joseph 
Bartholomew,  d.  Oct.  1800 ;  V.  Ebenezer,b.  Sept.  3, 1769,  m.  Mehiiable 
Clark,  lived  in  Middleburv,  had  14  ch.  and  d.  Feb.  1826;  VI.  liannah, 
b.  May  22,  1772,  d.  July  20,  1773 ;  VII.  Nathaniel,  b.  Oct.  28,  1774 ; 
YIII.  Hannah,  b.  Oct.  18,  1779,  m.  Reuben  Upson. 

7.  Nathanixl,  son  of  Nathaniel,  (6,)  m.  Comfort  Stone,  April,  1704. 
She  d.  March  29,1756.  Ch.:  I.Maria,  b.  Jan.  6,  1795,  in.  Garry 
Bronson  ;  II.  Nancy,  b.  March  8, 1797,  m.  Merrill  Piatt,  May,1815.  He 
d.Sept  1815,  and  she  m.  Leonard  Bronson,  April  14, 1819  ;  III.  Julia,  b. 
1799,  d.  1800  ;  IV.  John  Bronson,  b.  Nov.  1804,  graduated  at  Dartmouth 
College,  is  a  clergyman  at  Pittsford,  N.  Y.  He  ra.  Maria,  dau.  of  Philo 
Bronson,  in  1832,  who  d.  in  1834,  and  he  m.  in  1836,  Susan  A.,  sister 
of  his  first  wife,  who  d.  April,  1856 ;  Y.  Nathaniel  S.,  b.  1810,  gradua- 
ted at  Y.  C,  is  an  Episcopal  clerij\  mRn,  has  been  settled  at  Watertown 
and  Derby,  and  is  now  editor  of  tho  Clmri  h  Review,  lie  m.  Lydia, 
dau.  of  James  Murdock,  D.  D.,  of  New  UavtMi  ;  VI.  Merritt  P.,  b.  1816, 
d.  the  Ranie  year;  Vll.  Samuel  S.,  b.  l)ec.  1817,  d.  at  Harrisburg, 
Pa.,  Sept.  4,  1842,  while  a  member  of  Union  College. 

SCOTT. 

1.  Edml  nd  Scott,  of  Farraington  and  Waterbury,  had  ch.,  Joseph, 
Edmund,  Samuel,  Jonathan,  Geoi^  David,  Robert,  Elizabeth  and  Hao> 
nah.    (See  p.  181 .) 

2.  Edmund,  son  of  Edmund,  (1,)  had  Sarah,  Samuel,  Elizabeth,  Han- 
Dab,  Rltnund,  John,  Jonathan.    (See  p.  183.) 

3.  JoN  ATUAS,  son  of  Edmund,  (1,)  had  Jooathao,  John,  Martha,  Ger- 
sbom,  Eleazer,  Daniel.    (See  p.  184.) 

4.  Gkoroe,  son  of  Edmund,  (1,)  had,  I.  Obadiah,  b.  April  5,  1692; 
TI.  George,  b.  March  20,  1694,  d.  May  9,  1725,  unm.;  II.  William,  b. 
March  3,  1696;  IV.  Elizaboth,  b.  April  4,  1698,  m.  Gamaliel  Terrel 
and  went  to  New  Milford ;  V.  Zebulon,  b.  Jan.  10,  1700,  d.  1701  ;  VI. 
Samuel,  b.  April  26,  1702 ;  VIL  Rlraund,  b.  Sept  4,  1704  ;  VIII.  Ben- 
jamin, b.  April  30,  1707,  d.  Dec  1726 ;  IX.  Epbraim,  b.  June  16,  1710, 
d.  Feb.  27,  1744-6. 

5.  David,  son  of  Edmund,  (1,)  had,  L  HaDnali,b.  March  21,  1698-9; 
n.  H«iter,  b.  Aug.  1700;  IIL  David,  k  May  12,  1701 ;  IV.  Rath,  b. 
Sept  29,  1704,  m.  Jonathan  Kelsay ;  V.  and  VL  Martha  and  Mary,  h, 
Jan.  1707;  Martha,  d.  April,  1707 ;  Vll.  Elisabeth,  h.  May  7,  l709,m. 
Sanroel  Jndd;  VIII.  Stej^en, h.  Maroh  18, 1711 ;  IX. Obadiah,  b.  Deo. 
4, 1714. 


528 


BUVOBT  OV  WATKBBintT* 


6.  Samokl,  son  of  Edmund,  (2,)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  John  Richards, 
Jan.  13, 1725,  and  d.  April  3,  1768.  Ch. :  1.  Gideon,  b.  Sept.  22,  1725  ; 
II.  Lois,  b.  March  20,  1727  ;  IIL  Abraham,  b.  April  26,  1729,  d.  Jan.  8, 
1730-1 ;  IV.  Isaac,  b.  April  26,  1729;  V.  Abnihara,  b.  Oct.  18,  1731, 
d.  Nov.  8,  1782;  VI.  Mary,  b.  Sept  7,  1733;  VII.  Sarah,  b.  April  4, 
1735,  m.  Edmund  Scott;  VIII.  Samuel,  b.  Feb.  14,  1738,  m.  Damans 
Lewis;  IX.  Jemima,  b.  Nov.  23,  1740,  m.  Jeremiah  Peck,  Jr. 

7.  Edmund,  son  of  E^lmund,  (2.)  m.  Martha,  dau.  of  John  Andruss, 
Aug.  12,  1730,  and  d.  March  23,  1733.  His  wid.  m.  Ebenezer  Warnef, 
April  18,  1734.  Ch. :  L  Jemima,  b.  May  2, 1731,  d.  May  10, 1735:  IL 
Comfort,  b.  July  22,  1733,  m.  Obadiah  Scott. 

8.  John,  son  of  Edmund,  (2,)  m.  Eunice,  dau.  of  Thos.  Griffin  of  Sims- 
bury,  Oct  29,  1730.  lie  d.  March  14,  1756.  Ch. :  L  Amos,  b.  Feb. 
19,  1732  ;  IL  John,  b.  Jan.  30,  1734,  d.  in  1766.  no  issue;  IIL  Rlmund, 
b.  Jan.  9,  1730,  m.  Sarah  Scott,  and  d.  about  1760,  no  issue;  IV.  Abra- 
ham, b.  March  18,  1739,  "  killed  with  thunder,"  April  7,  1750;  V.  Eu- 
nice, b.  Jan.  4,  1741,  d.  Aug.  12,  1759;  VL  Abiirail,  b.  Oct  5,  1743,m. 

  Moses;  VIl.  Jonathan,  b.  Oct  1745,  d.  1749;  VIIL  Reuben,  b. 

Aug.  15,  1747  ;  IX.  Abraham,  b.  May  11,  1750,  d.  March,  1753;  X. 
Abel,  b.  Nov.  19,  1756,  m.  Anne  Perkiofl  of  New  Haven,  Jan.  30,  1776 
— had  ch. 

9.  JosATHAN,  son  of  Jonathan,  (3.)  in.  Mary,  d;iu.  of  Joseph  Hurlbut 
of  Woodbury,  July  14,  1725.  She  d.  May,  1727,  and  he  m.  2d,  lie- 
l>('cc;i,  dau.  of  Samuel  Fro.st  of  Branfurd,  July  29,  1729.  lie  d.  May 
16,  174.5.  Ch. :  L  John,  b.  May  6,  1726;  IL  Abel,  b.  Au^.  3,  1730; 
IIL  Thankful,  b.  May  10,  1732;  IV.  Phebe,  b.  May  24,  1734;  V.  Re- 
becca,  b.  Oct  3,  1736;  VL  Hachel,  b.  Nov.  3,  1739  j  VIL  Eben,  b. 
July.  1747. 

10.  Gkr.shom,  son  of  Jonathan,  (3.)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Jonathan  Fen- 
ton  of  Fairfield,  Nov.  17,  1728,  and  d.  June  24,  1780.  Ch.:  L  Wait, 
b.  Aunr.  17,  1729  ;  IL  Hannah,  b.  Sept  9,  1731,  m.  E.  Scott;  IIL 
Sarah,  b.  Sept  1735;  IV.  Mary,  b.  May  17,  1739;  V.  and  VI.  Gershora 
and  Ann,  b.  June  9,  1744.  Gersbomd.  June  29,  1778.  Ann  m.  Amos 
liotc-likisa. 

11.  Doct  Daxikl,  soil  of  Jonathan,  (3,)  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  David 
Way,  and  d.  April  2,  1702.  Ch. :  1.  Esther,  b.  May  23,  1750 ;  II.  Jona- 
than,  b.  Sopt  2!),  1751  ;  III.  John,  b.  April  30,  1753;  IV.  Martha,  b. 
Jan.  19,  1755,  d.  Aug.  31,  1759;  V.  Eleaz»'r,  b.  May  24,  1750;  VL 
Elizabeth,  b.  St'pt.  21,  1757,  d.  Sept  15,  1759;  VII.  llannah,  b.  Jan. 
16,  1759;  VIIL  Daniel,  b.  Oct  1,  1760. 

12.  Obaoiau,  son  of  George,  (4,)  m.  llannah,  dau.  of  Ezekiel  Buck  of 


L^kjiu^uo  Ly  Google 


Digitized  by  Google 


APPENDIX. 


Wethersfield,  Oct.  10,  1716,  and  «i.  in  1735.     IIU  wife  d.  June  12, 

1749.    Ch.:  I.  ,  b.  June  20,  1717;  II.  Zebulon,  b.  June  16,  1 718  ; 

III.  Mary,  b.  1720,  d.  Sept  1722  ;  IV.  Enoch,  b.  Oct  1722;  V. 
Comfort,  b.  Jan.  31,  1723;  VI.  George,  b.  Nov.  10,  1725;  VIl.  Oba- 
diah,  b.  Jan.  G,  1727  ;  VIII.  Ezekiel,  b.  Sept.  20,  1730. 

1.1.  William,  sou  of  George,  (4,)  m.  Johannah,  dan,  of  Thos.  J  add  of 
Il  iriford,  Nov.  30,  1727.  She  d.  Jan.  25,  1771.  Ch, :  I.  Benjamin,  b. 
Sej)t.  0,  1728;  II.  Timothy,  b.  April  21,  1731  ;  III.  Anne,  b.  Jan.  11, 
1734,  d.  Oct.  30,  1749;  iv.  Rachel,  b.  Sept.  27,  1736,  d.  April  2, 
1706  ;  v.  Patience,  b.  Nov.  1748,  1740. 

14.  Samlel,  son  of  George,  (4,)  m.  Preailla,  dau.  of  Jolm  Hull  of 
Derby,  Sept,  20,  1727.  Shed.  Sept.  23,  1735,  and  he  m.  2d,  wid. 
Ia)U  Stridin,  May  4,  1750,  who  d.  Nov.  29,  1762.  He  m.  3d,  Eunice 
Ashley  of  llarUord,  March  17,  1763,  and  d.  Sept.  15,  1790.  Ch. :  I. 
Sybel,  1).  July  G,  1730,  d.  March  1,  1798,  unm. ;  II.  Elizabeth,  b.  Feb. 
27,  1732,  d.  Sept.  1,  1814,  unm.;  111.  Ebenezer,  b.  Ai)ril  18,  1735,  m. 
Mary  Weed;  IV^.  Eiinice,  b.  June  11,  1738  ;  V.  Samuel,  b.  April  10, 
1744.  d.  Sept.  20,  1749;  VI.  Ashley,  l>.  June  17,  1704. 

15.  EuML  ND,  son  of  George,  (4,)  in.  M  irtlia,  dim.  of  K')l)ert  Rovce  of 
Wallingford,  March  20,  1730.  Ch. :  I.  M  iry,  b.  M  in  h  23,  1731  ;  II. 
Robert,  b.  3,  1733,  m.  Elizabeth,  d:ui.  of  Gamaliel  Terrel,  Deo.  29, 
1762  ;  III.  Noah,  b.  Jan.  24,  1736,  d.  May  9,  1737  ;  IV.  Ebenezer,  b. 
March  23,  1738,  d.  same  day  ;  V.  Martha,  b.  May  2,  1739;  VI.  Abi- 
gail, b.  July  3,  1742;  VII.  Comfort,  b.  April  24,  1745;  VIU.  Noah, 

V.  April  4,  1748  ;  IX.  Lydia,  b.  March  23,  1751. 

16.  Datio,  80D  of  Dftvid,  (5,)  no.  Hannah,  dau.  of  William  Hickox, 
Jan.  25,  1735.  Ch. :  L  Zadock,  b.  Oct  16, 1788,d.  1746 ;  11.  Nathan, 
b.  Aug.  23,  1735,  d.  1748;  TIL  David,  b.  Jane  22,  1788;  IV.  Pa- 
tience, d.  May  9,  1747 ;  V.  Hannah,  d.  June  29, 1754 ;  VL  Sabmit,  b. 
Deo.  22, 1746 ;  VII.  Sarah,  b.  June  8,  1749,  m.  Wait  Smith. 

17.  SrsPHav,  son  of  David,  (5,)  m.  Rebeoea,  dhu.  of  John  Wolaey  of 
Jamaica,  L.  L,  April  9,  1784,  and  d.  Mareh  25,  1744.  Ch.:  L  Sarah, 
b.  Feb.  14, 1786,  d.  Sept  11, 1749;  II.  Stephen,  b.  Sept.  14, 1788;  HL 
Wolaey,  b.  April  18, 1741,  d.  in  Watertown,  Dee.  12, 1794. 

18.  OBAQtAB,  aon  of  David,  (5,)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  John  Andmaa, 
Hay  20,  1788.  Ch.:  I.  and  IL  twina,  d.  youufc;  IIL  Eliphaa,  b.  Jan. 
8, 1785 ;  ly.  Obediah,  b.  April  12,  1787 ;  V.  Jesse,  b.  May  80, 1789; 

VI.  Barnabas,  b.  March  7, 1741 ;  VIL  Ab^l,  b.  July  8, 1746 ;  VIH. 
Margaret,  b.  July  80, 1748;  IX.  Mary,  b.  Sept  14, 1750;  X.  Eliiabeth, 
b.  Feb.  15,  1758  ;  XI.  Ruth,  b.  Nov.  1756. 

19.  OiDipH,  son  of  Samuel;  (6,)  m.  Fhebe  Barnes,  April  15, 1755. 

34 


m 


BIBTOBT  OF  WATEBBITBT. 


She  d.  April  25,  1700,  and  he  in.  Hinnah,  wiJ.  of  James  Brown,  Oct. 
4,  1702.  She  d.  Sept.  12,  1766.  Ch. :  I.  Loi.<»,  b.  Oct  17,  1756  ;  11. 
C.ileb,  b.  July  11,  1758;  III.  Mary,  b.  June  25,  1763 ;  IV.  Alatbea,  b. 

March  18,  1765. 

20.  Isaac,  son  of  Samuel,  (0.)  m.  Anne,  dau.  of  Ebenezor  Frisbie  of 
Sharon,  Ojt.  31,  1753.  Slie  d.  Dec.  3,  1760,  and  ho  in.  Sarah  Smith, 
March  4,  1767,  who  d.  Feb.  12,  1783.  Ch. :  I.David,  b.  Jan.  25, 
1755.— drowne.i,  May  10,  1773;  II.  Moses  b.  Feb.  16,  1750,  d.  Dec. 
21,  1773;  HI.  Thaddeus,  b.  April  25,  1757  ;  IV.  Leva,  b.  Sept.  27, 
1758,  d.  Jan.  15,  1775;  V.  Mesibah,  b.  Aug.  10,  1760,  d.  Sept.  23, 
1782  ;  VI.  Abner,  b.  May  10,  1762  ;  VII.  WealUiy,  b.  July  22,  1704 ; 
VIII.  Abraham,  b.  Aug.  2,  1706. 

21.  Amos,  son  of  John,  (8,)  m.  Dorca*,  dau.  of  Ebenezer  Warner, 
April  4,  1  7o9.  She  d.  May  14,  1703,  and  he  ra.  2d,  Lois,  w  id.  of  Ezekiel 
Scott,  Sept  12,  1703.  Ch. :  I.  Eunice,  b.  Feb.  23,  1760;  II.  Diana,  b. 
March  14,  1702,  d.  March  12,  1763;  HI.  Amos,  b.  May  3,  1764;  IV. 
John.b.  April  4,  1700  ;  V.  Edmund,  b.  June  7, 1768  ;  VI.  lyois,  b.  Dec.  31, 
1770;  VII.  Dorcas,  b.  Nov.  1,  1773.  d.  1774  ;  VIII.  Levi,  b.  July  3,1775, 

22.  Zkdulon,  son  of  Obadiah,  (12,)  m.  £lizal)elb,  dau.  of  Samuel 
Warner,  April  18,  1748,  and  d.  May  12,  1708.  Dis  wife  d.  June  21, 
1708,  aged  72.  Ch.:  I.  Simeon,  b.  March  1,  1750;  IL  Iluldab,  b. 
Nov.  7,  1753,  m.  Jolio  Powen;  ItL  Daniel,  1>.  May  4,  1757,  d.  June 
10,  1762;  lY.  Justus,  went  to  Wallingfotd,  Vu,  and  bad  a  laige 
(kinily. 

28.  Evooa,  aon  of  Obadiah,  (12,)  m«  Sarah,  daa.  of  Uent.  TboB.  Poi^ 
tor,  May  14, 1760.  Ch.:  L  Hannah,  b.  Mav  19, 1751 ;  IL  Eunice,  b. 
OeL  15,  1752;  UL  Enoch,  b.  Oct  6,  1754;  IV.  Sarah,  b.  Sept.  2, 
1757;  V.Uri,b.  Aug.  2, 1750;  VL  Ptue.  b.  April  6,1761;  VILB^ 
tber,  b.  Sept  22,  1763;  VUL  Mille^  b.  March  21, 1766;  IX.  Mait, 
b.  1758. 

24.  EnKisL,  son  of  Obadiah,  (12,)  m.  Loia,  dau.  of  John  Fenn,  April 
18, 1758,  and  d.  Jan.  20, 1759.  Ch. :  I.  Eiekiel,  b.  Jan.  8, 1759. 

25.  Obamab,  ton  of  Obadiah,  (12,)  m.  Comfort,  dau.  of  Edmund 
Scott,  April  8, 1751.  She  d.  April,  1798.  He  d.  Sept  1810.  Ch. : 
L  Anni^,  b.  April  2, 1758  ;  H.  Merry,  b.  July  2, 1755 ;  III.  Lydia,  b. 
Nov.  28,1757;  IV.  Martha,  b.  Jan.  29,  1761;  V.  Sarah,  b.  Sept  28, 
1768,  d.  Oct  80, 1765 ;  VL  Patience,  b.  June  21,  1766;  VIL  Edmund 
Andru.^  b.  Oct  17, 1771. 

26.  BnuAimr,  aon  of  William,  (18,)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Obadiah  Bicii- 
aid%  Jan.  18, 1757.  Ch. :  L  Hannah,  b.  May  12, 1758 ;  II.  Mary,  b. 
Jan.  12, 1762;  IH  Chloe,  b.  Feb.  16, 1767,  m.  Elijah  T^mi. 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


681 


87.  AsnLET,  son  of  Samuel,  (14,)  in.  Martha,  daa.  of  Benjamin  Jud- 
■on  of  Stratford,  April  25,  1787,  and  d.  May  15,  1842.  Uw  wkL  d. 
Dec.  1848,  aged  83.  Ch. :  I.  Betsey,  b.  Dee.  29,  1787,  ni.  James 
Street;  II.  **Catey,"  b.  Jan.  15,  1793,  m.  Miles  Morris,  and  d.  July  8, 
1837  ;  III.  Lewis,' b.  Dec.  14,  1796,  d.  1827 ;  IV.  Edmund,  b.  April  18, 
1799  ;  V.  £mm%  b.  June  28,  1801. 

-  28.  Stepheit,  son  of  Stephen,  (17.)  m.  Freelove,  dau.  of  Amos  Hick- 
01,  Nov.  30,  1758.  Ch. :  I.  Freelove,  b.  May  9,  1759;  II.  Rel»oe^a,  b. 
Aug.  20,  1761 ;  ilL  Stephen,  b.  April  23,  1763 ;  IV.  Uri,  b.  Maj  18, 
'1765.- 

29.  Eliimia3,  son  of  Obadiah,  (18.)  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Gershom  Scott, 
Feb.  14,  1757.  Ch. :  I.  Nancy,  b.  Dec.  4,  1759  ;  II.  Jesse,  b.  Sept  6, 
1702;  III.  Irene,  b.  Nov.  16,  1767  ;  IV.  Jare  l,  b.  March  22,  1771. 

30.  OuADiAH,  son  of  Obadiah,  (18,)  ra.  llannab,  dau.  of  Jolin  How, 
March  10,  1755.  Ch. :  I.  Hinnah,  l>.  Sept.  28,  1755  ;  II.  Olive,  b.  Sept, 
23,  1757  ;  HI.  Lucy,  b.  July  26,  1760  ;  IV.  Jesse,  b.  May  2,  1763  ;  V. 
David,  I).  June  22,  1765;  VI.  Rose,  b.  Nov.  6,  1708. 

31.  Barnabas,  son  of  Obadiah,  (18.)  m.  Rebecca,  dau.  of  Doct 
Ephraira  Warner,  Nov.  15,  1704.  She  d.  Sept.  22,  1773.  Ch. :  I. 
Sabra,  b.  Jan.  14,  1760  ;  II.  Orpha,  b.  Nov.  10, 1707  ;  III.  Margaret,  b. 
Dec.  5,  1709,  d.  in  infancy  ;  IV.  Margaret,  b.  Nov.  5,  1772. 

32.  TuADUELs,  son  of  Isaac,  (20,)  m.  Orange,  dau.  of  Tho*.  Ham- 
mond, May  23,  1782.  She  d.  March  21,  1826.  Ch.  :  I.  Levi.  b.  Oct. 
27,  1782  ;  H.  Moses,  b.  Feb.  28,  1785  ;  HI.  Jacob,  b.  Feb.  20.  1786; 
IV.  Anna,  b.  Fob.  1,  1788,  d.  June  22,  1802  ;  V.  Philo,  b.  Oct.  0,  1700; 
VL  Mabel,  b.  July  8,  1792,  d.  Oct.  24,  1803  ;  VIL  Moses,  b.  April  14, 
1795;  VIII.  Thad.lens,  b.  Oct.  19,  1797,  d.  Oct.  29,  1797  ;  IX.  Tru- 
man, b.  Nov.  4,  1798,  d.  Oct.  19,  1803  ;  X.  Isaac,  b.  May  8,  1801  ;  XL 
Bazaleel,  b.  May  1,  1803. 

33.  Abkbb,  son  of  Isaac,  (20,)  m.  Aleathe8,daa.  of  John  Bradley  of  New 
Haven,  Feb.  5,  1783,  and  d.  March  13,  1812.  Ch.:  I.  Lucy,  b.  Aug. 
29,  1785;  XL  Cl«7,  b.  Feb.  14,  1788  ;  IIL  Eldad,  b.  April  25,  1791  ; 
IV.  Dsborah,  b.  Nor.  1,  1798;  V.  Atnthe%  b.  April  2,  1796;  VI. 
Wealthy,  K  Oct.  7,  1798;  Vn.  Phebe,  b.  April  6,  1801,  d.  Oct  4, 
1806 ;  VIIL  Phebe  Elmira,  b.  Aug.  15,  1805  ;  IX.  Marem,  K  Jooe  18, 
1807. 

84.  SniBOH,  aon  of  Zebalon,  (22,)  ra.  Lucy,  dan.  of  Capt  Abraham 
Hickoi,  March  9, 1776,  and  d.  Aug.  28,  1828.  His  wid.  d.  Feb.  19, 
1829.  Ch.:  I.  Jemima,  b.  Nov.  21, 1776,  ro.  Bavid  Hangerford,  April 
2, 1804 ;  IL  Joel,  b.May  16, 1777,  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Michael  Bron- 
um,  Feb.  16, 1796 ;  IIL  Prae,  b.  Oct.  4, 1778,  d.  SepL  12, 1780 ;  IV. 


i_.vju,^uu  Ly  Google 


5a2 


HISTORY  OF  WATEBBUBY. 


Eliiabeth,  b.  March  10, 1780;  Y.  D*niel,  b.  March  7,  1782  ;  Vt  Hark, 
b.  Sept  30,  1788;  YIL  Titus,  b.  Sept  7,  1785,  m.  Rhoda,  dau.  of  Nft- 
thaoiel  Hall,  Deo.  1808;  VIIL  Jeaae,  b.  June  10,  1787,  m.  Sunn,  dan. 
of  David  Downs,  Aug.  7,  1811 ;  I2L  Prudenoe,  b.  March  7, 1789;  X. 
Linus  W.,  b.  March  27,  1791,  m.  MmeiTa,  dau.  of  Jamee  Nichols,  Feb. 
8, 1818. 

85.  Uri,  ton  of  Enoch,  (23,)  rn.  Esther,  dau.  of  Abiel  Roberts,  Dec 

26,  1780.  Ch.:  L Silas,  b.  July  22, 1781 ;  a  Rusha,  b.  Aug.  7,  1788 ; 
IIL  Alpheus,  b.  Sept  80, 1785. 

80.  Mark,  Titus  and  Jisai,  sons  of  Simeon,  (84,)  went  to  Springfield; 
Pa.  Mark  has  one  son  and  one  dau.,  Titus  two  sons  and  a  dau^  and 

SCOVILL. 

1.  SoTg.  John  Scovill,  son  of  John  of  Waterbiiry  and  Haddam,  bad 
ch.,  John,  b.  Jan.  1,  1694;  Obadiah,  b.  April  23,  1607;  Sarah,  b.  Oct. 
24,  1700;  William,  b.  Sopt.  7,  1703;  Xlannah,  b.  March  10,  1706-7  ; 
Edward,  b.  Feb.  10,  1710-11. 

2.  Lieut.  John,  son  of  John,  Jr.,  (1,)  had  ch.:  I.  Obadiah,  b.  Oct.  9, 
1725  ;  II.  Mary,  b.  March  31,  1727,  ni.  Andrew  lironson  ;  III.  Jolui,  b. 
Nov.  24,  1729,d.youn}^ ;  IV.  Asa,  b.  April  4,  1732  ;  V.  Uannah,  b.  Jan. 
20,  1734-5,  m.  Jabez  Tuule ;  VI.  John,  b.  Oct.  27,  1738;  VIL 
Stephen,  b.  Aug.  19,  1740;  VIII.  Timothy,  b.  June  27,  1742  ;  IX. 
Annis,  b.  May  23,  1744  ;  X.  Annis,  m.  Nathaniel  Selkrigg. 

3.  Lieut.  William,  son  of  John,  Jr.,  (1,)  had,  I.  Anna,  b.  March  25, 
1731,  m.  Uev.  Eleazer  Prindle  and  d.  in  1789;  H.  Rev.  James,  b.  Jan. 

27,  1732-3  ;  IIL  Samuel,  b.  Nov.  4, 1735  ;  IV.  Abijah,  b  Dec.  27, 1788  ; 
V.  William,  b.  Feb.  0,  1744-5  ;  VI.  Darius,  b.  May  15,  1746,  m.,  had 
ch.  and  reuiuved  to  the  State  of  N.  V.  with  his  fauiily.  His  son  Selah 
remained  in  Watertown  and  in.Sabrina  Foolo — had  a  sou  Hubert,  who 
resides  in  Watertown  and  lias  ch. 

4.  EnwAKD,  son  of  John,  Jr.,  (1,)  had  ch.,  I.  Sarah,  b.  Feb.  25,  1740- 
1 ;  IL  Edward,  b.  Feb.  6,  1744-6,  in.  Ruth  Norton,  Nov.  26,  1770,  and 
d.  March  21,  1778. 

6.  OuAUiAH,  son  of  John,  (2,)  m.  1st,  Hannah  ilull  of  Norwalk, 
July  14,  1752,  who  d.  Aug.  22,  1756,  and  he  ra.  2d,  Hannah,  dau.  of 
Panl.  Porter,  June  11,  1760.  She  d.  June,  1766  ami  he  d.  March  19, 
1768.  Ch. :  1.  Sarah,  b.  Nov.  9,  1752;  IL  David,  b.  Jan.  26,  1755; 
HI.  Anna,  b.  Feb.  4,  1761,  d.  April  9,  1781  ;  IV.  David,  b.  June  5, 
1762,  d.  March  19,  1768. 


lyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


APPEHDIX. 


583 


6.  Asa,  toil  of  John,  (2,)  tn.  Lois  WArner,  Dee.  10, 1755.  Cb. :  L 
Selah,  \k  Jane  20,  1757 ;  II,  Amaia,  b.  Dao.  28, 1758 ;  IIL  Selden,  b. 
July  6,  1760;  IV.  Sftnh,  b.  Nor.  1,  1766;  Y.  Danid;  YL  Obadiah, 
m.  Mille  Nichols,  Dec.  6,  1790. 

7.  JoHK,  SOD  of  John,  (2,)  m.  Anna  Barnes,  Sept  14,  1763,  and  d. 
Sept.  16,  1807.  Ch.:  1.  Truraan,  b.  Feb.  24,  1764;  II.  R.  uben,  b. 
Oct  2,  1765 ;  III.  John,  b.Feb.  17,  1768,  d.  same  year;  IV.  John,  b. 
Ang.  12,  1770,  d.  Oct.  10,  1830;  V.  Anoe^  b.  Deo.  27,  1772;  VL 
ClariaM^  b.  Feb.  24,  1770. 

8.  Timothy,  son  of  John,  (2,)  m.  Jemima,  dau.  of  Dact,  Danl.  Por- 
ter, April  7,  1762,  and  d.  June  22,  1824.  Ch.:  I.  Timothy,  b.  Nov. 
28,  1702;  II.  Noah,  b.  Jan.  27,  17G5  ;  III.  Daniel,  l>.  Dec.  12,  17G6, 
d.  17G7  ;  IV.  Jemima,  b.  Jan.  3,  1768,  d.  1783;  V.  Hannah,  b.  Dec 
23,  1770;  VI.  Sylvia,  b.  Aug.  28,  1778;  VU.  Daniel, b. Nov. 6,  1775  ; 
VIII.  David,  b.  Jan.  4,  1780. 

9.  Rev.  Jamks,  son  of  )Villiara,  (3,)  m.  Amy,  <lau.  of  Capt.  George 
Nichols,  Nov.  7,  1702.  Ch. :  I.  J.mies,  b.  March  19,  1704,  settled  in 
Waterbury ;  II.  William,  b.  17GG,  m.  Ann  I  >Mvi<lson,  d.  in  1851  ;  III. 
Hannah,  b.  1768,  m.  Daniel  Mit  hcan  ?  and  d.  184G  ;  IV.  Kev.  Elias,  b. 
1771,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  William  Scovill,  and  d.  in  1841  ;  V.  SHmuel, 
b.  1773,  m.  1st,  Deborah  Gilbert,  2d,  Mary  Smith;  VI,  Daiiit-l,  b. 
1770  ;  VII.  Sarah,  b.  1777,  ra.  DocX.  C.  Hathaway,  d.  in  1840;  VIU. 
Edward,  b.  1779,  m.  Polly  Bates,  d.  1840;  IX.  Henry,  b.  1781,  m. 
Mary  Cunningham. 

10.  Samuel,  son  of  William,  (3,)  m.  Ruth,  dau.  of  Benjamin  Bron- 
8on,  Dec.  19,  1756.  She  d.  Aug.  18,  1701,  arid  he  ni.  2d,  Harts- 
horn, May  3,  1705.  Ch. :  I.  Anna,  b.  May  13,  1759;  II.  Ruth,  b. 
Aug.  12,  1701  ;  III.  Uri,  b.  1705,  m.  Melliscent,  dau.  of  Samuel  South- 

mayd.  Oct.  17,  1784,  who  d.  Oct.  1706.    Ch. :  1.  ,  b.  Aug.  15, 

1785;  2.  Chester,  b.  1787  ;  3.  Southmayd,  b.  1789;  4.  Sarah,  b.  1791; 
6.  Ruth  Ann,  b.  1793  ;  G.  Geo.  Chester,  b.  1795. 

11.  William,  son  of  William,  (3.)  in.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Samuel 
Brown,  Dec.  24,  1767,  and  d.  Aug.  13,  1827.  Ch.:  I.  Betliel.  b. 
June  0,  1709,  a.  1775  ;  II.  Elizabeth,  b.  July  31,  1771,  d.  1774;  III. 
William,!).  Sept.  20,  1773;  IV.  Elizabeth,  m.  K.'V.  Elias  Seovill  ;  V. 
Samuel,  m.  liulhy  Langdon — lives  in  Watertown,  has  Sarali,  Mary  and 
William. 

12.  James,  son  of  Rev.  James,  (0.)  m.  Alathea,  dau.  of  Mitchel  Lam- 
son  of  Woodbury,  Nov.  10,  1788,  and  d.  Nov.  20,  1825.  Ch.  :  I. 
James  Mitchel  Latuson,  b.  S -pt.  4,  1789,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  W'illiam  II. 
Merriman,  Oct.  9,  1849  ;  ch.,  James  Mitchel  Lam^n,  b.  Sept.  3, 


584 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


18S0;  Swah  AUth«a,  b.  Feb.  14,  1852;  Heniy  William,  b.  Nov.  11, 
1853 ;  IL  Betsey,  b.  May  12,  1792,  m.  Sept  10,  1809,  John  Bucking- 
ham ;  IH.  Sarah  II.,  b.  March  25, 1704,  m.  Aaron  IJitchcock,  in  1821 ; 
IV.  William  IL,  b.  July  27,  1796,  m.  Ist,  Eunice  Davies  of  Ogdens- 
burg,  N.  Y.,  July  2,  1827,  who  d.  Nov.  26,  1839,  and  he  m.  2d,  Re- 
becca H.  Smith  of  New  Haven,  March  23,  1841,  and  d.  March  27, 
1854.  His  wid.  d.  Aug.  4,  1854.  Ch.,  Ahithea  Ruth,  b.  March  21, 
1828,  ra.  Frederick  J.  Kiiiij>bury;  Mary  Ann,  b.  May  3,  1831  ;  Thomas 
John,  b.  June  9,  1833,  d.  May  22, 1839 ;  Sarali  XL,  b.  July  13,  1839,  d. 
Nov.  4,  1839  ;  William  llenry,  b.  Jan.  1,  1842  ;  James  Mitchel  Lam- 
son,  b.  June  15,  1843,  d.  Feb.  8,  184G ;  Nathan  Smith,  b.  April  3,  1847, 
d.  May  22,  1849.  V.  Edward,  b.  Dec.  31,  1798,  m.  Harriet  Clark, 
Aug.  21,  1823  ;  VI.  Amy  M.,  b.  Feb.  9,  1801,  d.  April  30,  1804  ;  VII. 
Caroline,  b.  July  4,  1803,  m.  Rev.  William  Preston,  Oct.  1,  1842  ;  VIII. 
Maria  A.,  b.  Aug.  14,  1805,  m.  Hon.  Joel  Ilinman,  1825  ;  IX.  Mary,  b. 
July  23,  1808,  m.  Rev.  Jocob  L.  Clark,  Aprii  28,  1829,  and  d.  May  2, 
1842;  X.  Stella  Ann,  b.  May  19,  1811,  d.  Sept  12,  1815. 

13.  Sklah,  son  of  Asa,  (G,)  m.  Mary,  dan.  of  Abial  Roberts,  Nov.  6, 
1784.  Ch. :  I.  David,  b.  Sept.  6,1787 ;  11.  Mark,  b.  July  24,  1789 ;  lU, 
Ebeneser,  b.  Nov.  25,  1791. 

UPSON. 

1.  TiioMAB  Upson,  of  Hartford  and  Farmioglon,  bad  ch.,  Thomas, 
Stephen,  Mary,  Hannah  and  Elizabeth. 

2.  Serg.  SiEPiiEK,  son  of  TIios.,  (I,)  had,  Mary,  Stephen,  Elizabeth, 
Thomas,  Hannah,  Tabialha,  John  and  Thankful.    (See  p.  193.) 

3.  Stki'Hen,  son  uf  Stephen,  (2,)  had  ch. :  I.  Sarah,  b.  March  8,  1714, 
d.  1714;  II.  Sarah,  b.  July  26,  1715,  ra.  Gideon  Hickox,  Aug.  15, 
1734;  IH.  Stephen,  b.  Dec.  9,  1717;  IV".  and  V.  Josepli  and  Benja- 
min, b.  Aug.  14,  1720  ;  VI.  Mary,  b.  May  2,  1724,  m.  Sanniei  Porter, 
Dec.  9,  1747;  VII.  and  VIIF.  Ebenezer  and  Thankful,  b.  Sejtt.  29, 
1727,  Ebenezer  d.  in  1749;  Thankful  m.  Ebenezer  Johnson,  Oct.  15, 
1756  ;  IX.  Jemima,  h.  April  8,  1730,  d.  in  1736 ;  X.  Uaunah,  b.SepL 
20,  1735,  m.  Jesse  Si»erry,  May  8,  1759. 

4.  Thomas,  son  of  Stephen,  (2,)  had  ch. :  I.  Thoma!*,  b.  Dec.  20, 
719;  II.  and  III.  Mary  and  John,  b.  Jan.  21,  1721,— John  d.  1741; 

IV.  Josiah,  b.  Jan.  28,  1724-25;  V.  Asa,  b.  Nov.  80,1728;  VL 
Timothy,  b.  Oct  8,  1731 ;  VIL  Amos,  b.  March  17,  1734 ;  VIIL  Sam- 
uel, b.  March  8,  1737 ;  IX.  FV«eman,  b.  July  24,  1789,  d.  1750. 

5.  Joiijf,  son  of  Stephen,  (2,)  had  ch. :  I.  Daniel,  b.  March  10, 1726 ; 
U.  Elijah,  b.  Feb.  11, 1727-28,  d.  young ;  IlL  Elijah,  b.  Feb.  5, 1700- 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


APFKMDEL 


685 


31,  d.  1732-33  ;  IV.  Hannah,  b.  Nov.  17,  1733,  ra.  Silas  Merriman  ;  V. 
Martha,  b.  May  1,  1730,  ra.  William  Barnes;  VI.  John,  b.  March  31, 
1739;  VII.  James,  b.  Nov.  4,  1742  ;  VIII.  Elijah,  b.  May  C,  1745. 

6.  Stephen,  Es<j.,  son  of  Sieplien,  (3.)  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Thomas 
Clark,  Jan.  14,  1749-50,  and  d.  March  27,  1769.  His  wid.  d.  Sept.  29, 
1813,  a.  90.  Ch.  :  I.  Mary,  b.  Nov.  21,  1750,  d.  Sept.  25,  1767  ;  II. 
Olive,  b.  Feb.  18,  1753,  m.  Isaiah  Prichard ;  III.  Ebenezer,  b.  Aug.  11, 
1755,  d.  Sept  20,  1757;  IV.  Stephen,  b.  Sept.  12,  1758,  was  shot  in 
N.  Y.  in  1776;  V.  Esther,  b.  Sept.  21,  1760,  ra.  Asahel  Bronson,  Feb. 
12,  1784;  VI.  Sarah,  b.  July  15,  1763,  m.  Slei)hen  Gilbert  of  South 
Salem,  N.  Y. ;  VII.  Mark,  b.  Feb.  21,  1766,  m.  Susanna  Allen,  and  d. 
July  19,  1820;  VIII.  Daniel,  b.  March  7,  1769. 

7.  Joseph,  son  of  Stephen,  (3,)  m.  Comfort,  dau.  of  Obadiah  Sc-ott, 
Feb.  13,  1744-45,  and  d.  Aug.  7,  1  749.  His  wid.  d.  Nov.  28,  1814,  a. 
91.  Ch. :  I.  Jemima,  b.  July  14,  1746,  m.  Moses  Cook,  Nov.  4,  1706; 
II.  Ezekiel,  b.  Oct.  7,  1748,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Andrew  Bronson. 

8.  Benjamin,  son  of  Stephen,  (3,)  ra.  Mary,  dau.  of  I)ea.  Moses 
Blakeslee,  Nov.  17,  1743.  He  lived  in  Northbury.  Ch. :  I.  liuel,  b. 
June  12,  1744,  m.  Deborah,  dau.  of  Samuel  Peck,  April  23,  1766 ;  II. 
Susanna,  b.  Jan.  12,  1746,  m.  Benj.  Gaylord,  and  d.  in  1818;  III.  Lois, 
b.  May  12,  1748,  m.  Israel  Terrel;  IV.  Joseph,  b.  May  5,  1750,  ro. 
Anna,  dau.  of  Thoe.  Bronaon,  Feb.  18, 1771;  7*  BeojiuniD,  h,  July  3, 
1752 ;  VI.  JeiM^  b.  Nov.  28,  1754,  d.  1755;  VIL  Jesse,  b.  May  25, 
1756;  VIIL  No«b,  b.  Sept  26,  1768;  IX  Aaahel,  b.  April  25, 
1762,  m.  Mebitable,  dau.  of  Capt  Tbo«.  Castle,  and  settled  in  Woloott ; 
X.  Mary,  b.  Jaoe  22,  1:765 ;  XL  SaraL,  b.  July  23,  1768. 

9.  Samuil,  sod  of  Thomas,  (4,)  m.  Ruth  .  Ch. :  L  Mary,  b. 

Feb.  1769,  m.  Joseph  Minor ;  II.  Aicbibald,  b.  April  26, 1761,  d.  1782 ; 
UL  Isaao,  b.  Deo.  22, 1768 ;  lY.  Obed,  b.  Jan.  2,  1767 ;  V.  Harvey, 
b.  Nov.  11,  1769 ;  VI.  and  VII.  Samuel  and  Ruth,  b.  Aug.  16,  1772 ; 
VIQ.  Jerusha,  b.  June  27,  1775,  d.  1775 ;  IZ.  Manly,  b.  Mardi  12^ 
1777;  X.  Betsey,  b.  Aug.  10, 1779. 

10.  Mabk,  son  of  Stephen,  (6,)  bad  ch.:  L  Olive,  m.  Joseph  Blakeslee^ 
IL  Either;  III.  Sarah,  d.  nnm.;  IV.  Lnoena,  m.  William  Siowe;  V. 
IiQcius,  d.  aged  about  62 ;  VL  Rosetta,  d.  unm. ;  VII.  Jesse,  m.  Either 
L.  notchUssy  resides  in  Wateibuiy;  Vllt.  Sarah  Ann;  IX.  Davis,  d. 
aged  22. 

11.  Dahiil,  son  of  Stephen,  (6,)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Samuel  Adams. 
She  d.  June  29, 1830,  and  he  m.  wid.  Phebe  Eirtland  of  Woodbury, 
Sept  4, 1881,  who  d.  May  4,  1846.  He  d.  Oct  1,  1864.  Ch.:  I. 
Stephen,  K  May  8, 1797,  d.  Deo.  6, 1822 ;  IL  Alvin,  b.  Dee.  4, 1798. 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


m.  M;in'  Sperry,  and  lives  in  Mich.;  III.  Daniel,  b.  May  IG,  1601,  m. 
Nancy  llotchkiss — no  cli.,  lives  in  Watertown ;  IV.  Minerva,  b.  March 
10,  1803,  d.  June  6,  1822;  V.  Polly  Maria,  b.  Dec.  20,  1805,  d.  Jan. 
10,  1807;  VI.  AVilliani,  Nov.  1,  1807,  lives  in  Middlebury,  unn).;  VII. 
Merlin,  b.  Feb.  28,  1810,  ni.  Eniily  lieecher  of  Naugatuek, — residence, 
Woodbury;  VIII.  Sarah  Maria,  b.  Nov.  19,  1813,  m.  David  Sunnners, 
lives  in  Woodbury  ;  IX.  Thomas  Clark,  b.  Dec.  20,  1819,  in.  lat, 
Harriet  Morris  of  Woodbury,  %vho  d.  July  12,  1853,  and  m.  2d,  Cor- 
nelia I'e.use  of  Vt,,  lives  in  Waterbury. 

12.  Be.njamin,  son  of  Henjaniiu,  (8,)  m.  Mary,  vvid.  of  Tlumies  Clark, 
Jan.  24,  1780,  and  d.  Jidy,  1824.  His  wife  d.  June  13,  1816.  Ch.  :  L 
Stephen,  b.  June  12,  1783.    (See  p.  443.) 

13.  Thomas,  son  of  'Thonijuj  of  Farniington,  (4,)  m.  Ilantiah,  dau.  of 
Capt."  Timothy  Hopkins,  May  28,1  749.  She  .1.  June  0,  1757.  He 
d.  Sept.  5,  17G4.  Ch. :  I.  IJenoni,  (see  p.  443.)  b.  Feb.  14,  1750,  m. 
Leva  Hopkins;  II.  Charles,  b.  March  8,  1752  ;  111.  Sylvia,  b.  June  7, 
175G,  d.  1764. 

14.  Chables,  son  of  Thomas,  (1 3,)  m.  Wealthy  Hopkins,  May  26,  1 773, 
andd.  April  29,  1809.  His  wid.  d.  Dec.  28,1783.  Ch. :  I.  Wash- 
ington,  b.  Sept.  2,  1775,  d.  April  15,  1813  ;  II.  Lee,  b.  May  7,  17  78; 
III.  Gates,  b.  July  18,  1780. 

15.  RBDBiit  XJpttoK,  son  of  John,  and  grandaon  of  Jobot  (5,)  nuHao- 
nab,  dau.  of  Nathaniel  Richardson,  Dee.  25, 1798.  Ch. :  I.  Reuben,  h. 
Aug.  26,  1799,  d.  May  12,  1802  ;  IL  PhebeiOct  13,  1801,  and  pro- 
habl/  others. 

WARNER. 

1.  John  WARNsa,  of  Hartford  and  Fannington,  had  ch. :  John 
Daniel,  Thomas  and  Sarah. 

2.  John,  son  of  John  (1,)  (see  p.  195.)  had  Ephrairo,  John,  Robert, 
(see  Cothren*s  Woodbury,  p.  752,)  Ebeneser  and  Lydia. 

3.  Daniel,  son  of  John,  (1,)  had  Daniel,  John,  Abigail,  Samuel  and 
Thomasw  (See  p.  198.) 

4.  Thomab,  (see  p.  198,)  son  of  John,  (1,)  had,  Benjamin,  John, 
Mary,  Martha,  Thomas,  Samuel  and  Maigaret. 

5.  Doct  Ephraui,  (see  p.  196,)  son  of  John,  (2,)  had,  L  Margaret, 
b.  Feb.  16, 1698,  d.  Match,  1693 ;  IL  Ephrairo,  b.  Oct  29, 1695,  d.  Dec. 
28,  1704;  lU.  Benjamin,  U  Sept  80,  1698;  IV.  John,  b.  June  24, 
1700;  y.  Obadiah,  b.  Feb.  24.  1702-3;  YL  Esther;  VIL  Bphraim; 
YIIL  Ebenezer. 

6.  Doct  JoHir,  (see  pw  196,)  son  of  John,  (2,)  had,  I.  A  dau.,  b.  July 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


6S7 


22,  1699  ;  II.  Bebecca,  b.  Nov.  24, 1703,  ra.  Samuel  Thomas  of  Wood- 
bury; III.  Ebenezer,  b.  June  24,  1705  ;  IV.  Lyclia,U  Feb.  23,1700-7; 
V,  John,  b.  in  Stratford,  March  31,  1717. 

7.  Daniel,  son  of  Daniel,  (3,)  had,  1.  A  son,  d.  young;  II.  A  son,b. 
and  d.  March,  1795-6;  III.  Samuel,  b.  April  10,  1798;  IV.  Sarah,  b. 

Jan.  3,  1704-5,  ra.          Huff;  V.  Ebenezer,  b.  April  11,  1706;  VI. 

Abraham,  b.  Nov.  16,  1708  ;  VII.  Abigail,  b.  Feb.  10,  1710-11  ;  VIII. 
Mary,  b.  July  lU,  1712,  m.  Isaac  Tuttle  of  Woodbury,  April  la,  1731. 

8.  Samuel,  .son  of  Thorajw,  (4,)  had,  I.  and  II.  twins,  d.  young;  III. 
Mary,  b.  July  5,  1718,  m.  Robert  Drakely  of  Woodbury,  July  14,  1751  ; 
IV.  Sarah,  b.  Sept.  1720,  m.  Timothy  Warner;  V.  Thomas,  b.  June 
22,  1722,  ra.  lluldah  Warner,  and  d.  without  ii^ue ;  VI.  lienjamin,  b. 
Oct.  22,  1724,  d.  April  22,  1760;  VII.  and  VIII.  Thankful  and  Pa- 
tience, b.  Marcli  10,  1727;  Thankful  m.  Thomas  Hammond;  IX.  Han- 
nah, b.  Aug.  20,  1729,  ra.  Abraham  Adams;  X.  Stephen,  b.  Sept.  30, 
1731,  m.  Phebe  Baldwin;  XI.  Phebe,  b.  Fob.  6,  1735-6,  m.  Wait 
Woo&ter  ;  XII.  Martha,  b.  July  21,  1738  or  1739,  m.  Charles  Warner. 

9.  Do<'t,  Benjamin,  son  of  Ephraim,  (5,)  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Josiah 
Strong  of  Colchester,  March  17,  1720,  and  d.  April,  1772  ;  his  wife  d. 
April,  1785,  aged  85.  Ch. :  I.  Josiah,  b.  April  10,  1721,  m.  Rebecca 
Brown;  II.  Dinah,  b.  Feb.  11,  1723,  m.  Benj.  Harrison;  HI.  ReuWn, 
b.  Oct.  12,  1725,  d.  March  28,  1727  ;  IV.  Margaret,  b.  Nov  9,  1727, 
m.  Oliver  Welton  ;  V.  Reuben,  b.  Sept.  21,  1729  ;  VI.  David,  b.  Nov. 
27,  1731,  m.  Abigail  Harrison;  VII.  Benjamin,  b.  Jan.  20.  1734  ; 
\  111.  Anna,  b.  Jan.  31,  1730,  m.  John  Ilickox,  Jr.;  IX.  KjOiraini,  b. 
June  20,  1738,  m.  Lydia,  «iau.  of  Samuel  Brown,  March  30,  170O,  and 
d.  May  20, 1808,— 'Vvife  d.  July  20,  1815— no  issue;  X.  Eunice,  b.  Aug. 
2,  1740,  m.  John  Hickox  3d  ;  XL  Ard,  b.  Nov.  1,  1742,  ra.  Elizabeth 
Porter. 

10.  Dea.  John,  son  of  Ephraim,  (5,)  m.  Esther,  dau.  of  David  Scott, 
Dec.  17,  1724.  She  d.  Feb.  18,  1726,  and  he  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Thomas 
Hickox,  Oct  8,  1728,  who  d.  in  1784.  He  d.  Sept.  7,  1794.  Ch. :  L 
Esther,  b.  Sept  11,  1720,  d.  Sept.  4,  1730 ;  11.  Phebe,  b.  Jan. 8, 1732 ; 
UL  ADnU,  b.  J«ii.  8,  1785;  IV.  James,  b.  Dee.  11, 1789,  to.  Eonioe 
Datton;  V.  Mary,  b.  Oct  9, 1748,  d.  April  21,  1745;  VL  Elijah,  bw 
Maroh  21, 1748;  VIL  John,  b.  Oct  14,  1749,  m.  Anoe  SuUiff. 

11.  Obadiah,  ton  of  Ephraim,  (5,)  in.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Joeeph  Lewis, 
Feb.  1, 1728-7.  Ch.:  \  Jemsha,  b.  Oct.  18,  1727,  m.  Aaron  Hani- 
son;  II.  Lydia,  b.  June  6,  1729;  III.  Obadiah,  b.  June  20, 1781,  d. 
June  26, 1750 ;  IV.  Either,  b.  Nov.  9«  1788,  d.  Febw  1746  ;  V.  Joseph, 
b.  Oot  23,  1733;  VX  Lois,  b.  Mtroh  80,  1783,  m.  Asa  Soovil;  VIL 


538 


HI8T0BT  OV  WATEBBURY. 


Enos,  b.  Aug.  11,  1740,  d.  Sept  1,  1749;  VIIL  Sanh,  b.  Feb.  21, 
1742-3,  ni.  Aaron  Terrel ;  IX.  Eleanor,  b.  Jan.  13,  1743-4,  m.  Samuel 
Hickox;  X.  Agnis,  b.  Feb.  24,  1747;  XI.  IroDB,  b.  July,  1749,  m. 
Abijah  Warner;  XU.  Mary,  b.  Aug.  6,  1751. 

12.  Eb£nezer,  son  of  Ephraim,  (5,)  ni.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Tbos. 
Bronson,  April  2,  1740,  and  d.  Oct.  5,  1806,  aged  94.  Cli.;  I.  Noah, 
b.  Nov.  21,  1740,  d.  April  6,  1759  ;  II.  Ebenezor,  b.  Sept.  17,  1742,  d. 
Dec.  21,  1746;  III.  Margaret,  b.  Oct.  6,  1744,  ni.  Richard  Weltoo; 
IV.  Ebenezer,  b.  Jan.  16, 1748,  d.  Aug.  13,  1750  ;  V.  Jennma,  b.  Nov. 
6,  1749,  d.  Nov.  7,  1751;  VI.  Annis,  b.  March  21,  1752;  VII.  Eliza- 
'beth,  b.  March  17,  1754,  ni.  Ard  Welton,  d.  1827;  VIIL  Justus,  b. 
March  27,  1756,  ni.  Keua  Warner,  went  to  Ohio  and  d.  in  Liverpool, 

O.,  April  16,  1856  ;  IX.  Mark,  b.  Dec.  22,  1767,  m.  Foote,  d.  in 

1816;  X.  Jemima,  b.  May  17,  1761. 

13.  Ei'HRAiM,  son  of  Ephraim,  (5,)  m.  Eleanor,  dau.  of  Wm.  Smith, 
of  Farniington,  Feb.  14,  1739,  and  d.  Nov.  5,  1708.  Ch.:  L  William,  b. 
Sept.  13,  1740,  m.  Mary  Chambers ;  11.  Abijah,  b.  Jan.  5,  1743,  m. 
Rena  Warner;  III.  Rebecca,  b.  June  15,  1745,  m.  Barnabas  Scott; 
IV.  Epha,  b.  April  29,  1748,  m.  Elizabeth  I'erkins  of  New  Haven;  V. 
Seth,  b.  Oct.  4,  1750,  d.  Oct.  23,  1751  ;  VL  Seth,  b.  Jan.  5,  1763; 
VIL  Eleanor,  b.  Sept.  28,  1757  ;  VIIL  Esther,  b.  May  30,  1700. 

14.  Eds.nkzer,  son  of  John,  (6,)  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Richard  Wclion, 
Jan.  22,  1729,  and  d.  Feb.  16,  1750.  She  d.  April  7,  1747.  Cli. :  L 
Stephen,  b.  June  25,  1730,  d.  Feb.  24,  1750;  IL  Dorca?,  b.  July  1, 
1732,  m.  Amos  Scoit;  IIL  Phebe,  b.  Aug.  1,  1736;  IV.  John,  b. 
March  10,  1739,  d.  Nov.  8,  1750. 

15.  John,  son  of  John,  (6.)  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Moses  Bronson,  OcL  • 
26,  1743.    He  d.  before  Dec.  2,  1760.    Ch. :  L  Ellen,  b.  Sept.  2,  1744, 
d.  Sept.  20,  1740  ;  IL  Ellen,  b.  Oct,  23,  1746;  IIL  Bela,  b.  Sept.  20, 
1748;  IV.  Ebenezer,  b.  Aug.  15,  1750. 

10.  Sami  kl,  son  of  Daniel,  (7,)  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  EAlrnund  vScott, 
Dec.  21,  1719.  Ch.:  L  Daniel,  b.  Aug.  27,  1720,  d.  at  Cape  Breton; 
IL  Timothy,  b.  July  20,  1722  ;  IIL  Nathan,  b.  July  6,  1724  ;  IV.  Eliz- 
abeth, b.  March  20,  1720,  m.  Zebulon  Scott;  V.  Thomas;  VI.  Nathan, 
b.  Dec  25,  1729;  VIL  Abigail,  b.  Nov.  15,  1732,  m.  George  Scott; 
Vin.  Iluldah,  b.  May  17,  1734,  ra.  1st,  Thos.  Warner,  2d,  Saml.  WU- 
liaiDB;  IX.  EnoB,  b.  June  14,  1736 ;  X.  Susanna,  b.  Aug.  3,  1738,  nu 
Ephraim  Bissel,  No?.  6,  1766 ;  XL  Samnel,  b.  Jan.  10,  1742,  m.  Anne 
Camp. 

17.  Ebbnbzkb,  son  of  Daniel,  (7,)  ro.  Martha,  wid.  of  Edmund  Sdott 
'  and  dan.  of  John  Androts,  April  18, 1784.   Oh.:  Jemima,  bw  July  2, 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


589 


1735  ;  IL  Beniyab,  b.  Jao.  17,  1788,  d.  1741 ;  UL  Beoftjab,  b.  Jan. 

8,  1742. 

18.  Abraham,  son  of  Daniel,  (7.)  m.  Keziah,  dm.  of  Richard  Wei- 
ton,  Dec.  12,  1734,  and  d.  Nov.  23,  1740.  Ch. :  I.Charles,  h.  Jan.  18, 
173G.  m.  M.uiha  Warner;  II.  Levi,  b.  March  16,  1738;  III.  Zubah, 
b.  July  12,  1740  ;  IV.  Keziah.  b.  Oct.  6, 1742 ;  V.  SylvU,  b.  May  \8, 
1745;  VI.  Daniel,  b.  April"  18,  1748. 

19.  Srei'iiEN,  son  of  S^iniuel,  (8,)  m.  Pliebo,  dau.  of  James  B.ddwin 
of  Derby,  Nov.  13,  1754.  Ch. :  I.  Melliscent,  b.  Oct.  27,  17o5;  II. 
Koxanna.  b.  April  13,  1757  ;  III.  BjJe,  b.  July  6,  1761  ;  IV.  l)ian.a,  b. 
Jan.  4,  1704;  V.  Anna,  b.  Nov.  11,  1766;  VI.  Arba,  b.  April  13, 
1768;  VII.  Reuben,  b.  Oct.  11,  1773. 

20.  JosiAH,  son  of  Di>ct.  Benjamin,  (9,)  m.  Rebecca,  dau.  of  James 
Bronson,  May  26,  1748,  and  d.  Au<r.  26,  I7o0.  His  wid.  d.  Jan.  5, 
1756.    Ch. :  I.  Ozias,  b.  Aug.  21,  1749,  m.  Tamer  Nichols. 

21.  David,  son  of  Doct.  Benjamin,  (9.)  m.  xVbigail,  dau.  of  Benj. 
Harrison,  Dec.  11,  1753.  Ch :  1.  Josiuh,  b.  Oct.  6,  1754,  m.  Anne 
Prichard ;  II.  Aaron,  b.  Nov.  24,  1756,  ra.  Ly<Ha  Welton ;  III.  Ura- 
nia, b.  Oct,  1,  1758  ;  IV.  Jaraes  H.,  b.  Dec  lb,  1760  ;  V.  Benjamin, 
b.  Nov.  17,  1762. 

22.  Aau,  son  of  Doct.  Benjamin,  (9,)  in.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Doct 
Daniel  Porter,  Jan.  12,  176  4,  and  d.  April  30.  1824.  Ilis  wid.  d.  Aug. 
21,  1835,  aged  90.  Ch. :  I.  Joanna,  b.  1 764,  m.  Samuel  GuqD,  had 
sef«ral  ch.  and  d.  io  Ohio;  II.  Lydia,  b.  1766,  m.  Samuel  Alcox,  lived 
in  WoIooU;  III.  Ephraim.  b.  1768,  was  drowned  1786;  IV.  Elizabeth, 

bb  1769,  m.  OAborn,  went  to  Black  Rirer;  V.  Prudenoe,  bw  1772, 

ramoved  to  Camd^  N.  T.;  VL  Dn?id,  b.  1774  ;  YII.  Irena,  k  1776, 
ID.  twice,  ia  living  in  Pa.;  VIU.  Aid,  h.  1777 ;  IX.  Hannah,  b.  1780, 
m.  Anaon,  son  of  OiiaB  Warner;  X.  Aaahel,  b.  1782;  XI.  Chauncey, 
b.  1785,  rcMdes  in  Pulton,  Ohio,  has  ch.;  XIL  Satan,  b.  1789,  m. 
Levi,  son  of  Oaias  Warner. 

28.  Jambs,  son  of  Dea.  John,  ( I  o,)  no.  Eunice,  dau.  of  David  Button, 
Jan.  1, 1761,  and  d.  M  ly  27,  1819.  His  wife  d.  May  7,  1815.  Ch. : 
I.  Sarah,  b.  Oot  2,  1761 ;  IL  Noah,  b.  Aug.  1763,  d.  Se]>t  18,  1820 ; 
IIL  Lucinda,  b.  Sept  20,  1766,  m.  Elijah  Hotohkiss;  IV.  Eunice^  b. 
April  8, 1769,  d.  ^Aug.  80,  1769;  V.  James,  b.  Jan.  26, 1771,  d.  Jan. 
15, 1773 ;  VL  Eunice,  b.  May  81,  1773,  m.  EU  Teny;  YIL  James,  h. 
Nov.  1,  1775. 

24.  BujAB,  son  of  Dea.  John,  (10.)  m.  Esther,  dau.  of  Thoa.  Fenn, 
Nov.  19, 1767.  Ch. :  L  Lyman,  b.  May  22,  1768 ;  IL  Chauncey,  b.  June 


r 


u.kju,^uo  Ly  Google 


640 


nraXOBT  OF  WAlXBBUlSr. 


11,  1770,  m.  A.  Tallniaire ;  III.  Rosetta,  b.  F«b.  26,  1773 ;  IV.  El\jah; 

V.  A|»ollos,  m.  Cljloe  Wilcox  of  Simsbury. 

25.  John,  son  of  Dea.  John,  (10,)  m.  Anne,  dau.  ofDoa.  John  Siitliff, 
Sept.  22,  1773.  Ch. :  I.  Chloe,  in.  Enos  Dutton ;  II.  Mariha,  b.  Jan.  24, 
1775,  111.  Victory  Tomlinson  ;  111.  Eliel,  b.  Oct.  1770,  in.  Amanda  0.>born; 

IV.  Aaron,  b.  1780,  ra.  Polly  Camp,  d.  1830  ;  V.  Abijah,  b.  1784,  m. 
J^clsey  Fcnn;  VI.  David,  b.  1780,  m.  Anne  Atwater ;  VII.  John  S.,  b. 
178U,.m.  Emily  Lord  ;  VIII.  Anne,b.  July  20,  1792,  m.  A.  G.  Wellon. 

26.  JosKi'ii,  son  of  Ubadiah,  (1 1,)  m.  Elizabetli,  dau.  of  Ebvuezer 
Wakely,  Jan.  13,  17G3,  wlio  d.  in  1707,  and  he  m.  Jiuidah  Nichols. 
Ch. :  I.  Sarah,  b.  Nov.  0,  1703,  d.  young;  II.  Joseph,  b.  May  12,  1765, 
d.  Sept.  14.  1845  ;  III.  Sarah,  b.  April,  1767  ;  IV.  Obadiah,  b.  1770,  d. 
Sept.  14,  1845. 

27.  AniJAii,  son  of  Ephraim,  (13.)  m.  Rene,  dan.  of  Ohadiali  Warner, 
Dec.  13,  1764.  Ch.:  I.  Garnion,  b.  Aug.  2,  1705  ;  II.  Lucy,  b.  Oct. 
23,  17G6  ;  III.  Aj^is,  b.  Dec  25,  1769;  IV.  Rene,  b.  Oct  10,  1771 ; 

V.  Rebecca,  b.  Feb.  24,  1773. 

28.  William,  sou  of  Ephraim,  (13,)  in.  Mary,  dau.  of  Thos,  Cliani- 
bers,  Dec.  8,  1762  ;  Cli. :  I.  Austin,  b.  Dec.  18,  1764  ;  IL  LoreUa,  b.  Jan. 
30,  1707  ;  probably  othen*. 

29.  TiMOTHF,  son  of  Samuel,  (10,)  in.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Samuel  Warner, 
Feb.  'jr>,  1745  ;  Ch. :  I.  Naomi,  b.  Jan.  4,  1740,  n).  Samuel  Webb;  11. 
Mindwcll,  b.  Au«r.  14,  1749;  III.  Rosanna,  b.  Aug.  1,  1 753  ;  IV.  Lucy, 
b.  Nov.  9,  1055;  V.  Jesse,  b.  Nov.  12,  1757  ;  VL  Rene,  b.  Nov.  1, 
1759;  VII.  Consider,  b.  May  9,  1762. 

30.  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel,  (16,)  m.  Anne,  dau.  of  Abel  Camp,  May  6, 
1760.  Ch. :  L  Levinia,  b.  Sept.  16,  1761 ;  II.  Antha,  b.  Sept.  25, 
1764  ;  in.  Bede,  b.  July  5,- 1766 ;  IV.  Thankful,  b.  July  8,  1788. 

31.  CaARLB8,8on  of  Abraham,  ( 1 8,)  m.  Martha,  dau.  of  Samuel  Warner, 
April  2, 1759.  Oh. :  I.  Orpha,  b.  June  1 1,  1760,  d.  Jttne26, 1760 ;  II. 
Orrio,  b.  May  1,  1762;  IIL  Lncena,  b.  April  12,  1764;  lY.  Levi,  b. 
Nov.  22,  1766;  V.  Asa,  b.  July  15,  1760. 

82.  OnM,  soDof  loriafa,  (20,)  m.  Tamer,  dau.of  Richaid  Nichols,  Oct 
0, 1770.  Ch. :  L  Rena,  b.  April  16.  1771 ;  II.  Eunice,  b.  April  2. 1773 ; 
IIL  Jamea,  b.  Oct  18, 1774;  IV.  Anaon, b.  Aug.  o,  1778  ;  V.  Tamer, 
b.  Aug.  13,  1 780 ;  VL  Lydia,  b.  March  14,  1782 ;  VIL  David,  K  Feb. 
20, 1784;  VIIL  Levi,  b.  Feb.  14,  1786,  m.  Suaan,  daa.  of  Aid  War- 
ner, removed  to  Sprinj^ville,  Penn^  haa  a  large  family. 

39.  JoaiAB,  aon  of  David,  (21.)  m.  Anna,  dan.  of  Roger  Prichard, 
Jan.  6,  1774.  Gh.:  L  David,  h,  Aug.  17, 1774  ;  IL  Anne,  b.  8ept.  1, 
1776;  IIL  Polly,  b.  Oct  6,  1779;  IV.  Anna,  b^  June  1,  1781,— per- 
hapa  otheiB. 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


▲FPBNinZ. 


541 


34,  David,  sonof  Ard,  (22,)  in.  Louis  SutlitV  wid.  of  Ira  Tompkins. 
Ch. :  I.  Amanda,  b.  1810,  m.  John  B.  Terry,  of  Bristol;  II.  YitMina,  b 
1815,  m.  edU  resides  in  East  lladdam;  III.  BeUey,  b.  1718,  m.  lieuben 
Tyler. 

35.  Ard,  son  of  Ard,  (22,)  m.  Mary,  dan.  of  Seba  Bronson.  Ch. :  T. 
Maria,  m.  lives  in  Ohio;  II.  Mary,  m.  (umi.  David  H.  llunl;  ch.,  Mary 
M.,  Elizabeth  J.,  Margaret  L.,  lleilen  N.,  and  Caroline;  III.  Elizabeth, 
m.  Daul.  Bariieller,  resided  in  111.,  d.  Nov.  1855;  IV.  Nancy,  m., 
lived  in  Illinois, — is  deceased  ;  V.  Sherman  li.,  m,  Lydia  Hall  of 
Souihbury,  luis  one  ch.,  Arthur  O. ;  VI.  Charles  A.,  m.  Mary  Ann 
Thomas  of  Bethany — has  ch.;  VII.  Maria,  m.  Col.  Levi  Bolster  of 
Maine;  ch.,  E«l\vin  S.,  Juliett  .M.,  Horatio  \.,  Mary  U.,  Jane  E.,  M. 
Harriet;  VIII.  Abram  .1 .,  graduated  at  Triuity  CoU^  ilartfordf — is  an 
Episcopal  clergyman  in  III. 

86.  AsAHKL,  son  of  Ard,  (22,)  m.  Lowly  Andruss.  Cli. :  I.  Anna^in. 
C.  Case,  went  to  Syracuse,  N.  Y. — has  ch. ;  II.  Ciiauncey,  resides  in 
Syracuse,  ha.^  been  married  twice ;  III.  Sarah  Jane,  m.  Sumner  Van- 
boeen  of  Cbicopee,  Mass. — has  eh. ;  IV.  Woloott,  enlisted,  went  to  Mex- 
ico and  baa  not  been  heanl  of  ance  the  taidng  of  Vera  Orus. 

87.  ArooH,  eon  of  Osias,  (32,)  m.  Hannab,  dan.  of  Ard  Warner,  (22,) 
Cb. :  I.  Epbraim,  m.  Mary  Whitney^botb  dead— left  a  dan. ;  IL  Charity , 
m.  Cbanneey  Royce  of  Bristol — baa  fonr  ch.;  IIL  6.  Porter,  ro.  Eunice 
Terrell  and  had  8  oh.;  IV.  Emetine  J.,  m.  Charles  Ball  of  Southington, 
baa  ch. ;  V.  Charlotte  H.,  m,  1st,  \Vm.  Tboropt»on,  2d,  H.  Bronson,  of 
Praapect 

WELTON. 

1.  John  Wiltoii  (see  p.  200)  bad  ch.:  John,  Stephen,  Abigail, 
Mary,  Eliiabetb,  EUe,  Richard,  Hannah,  Thomas,  George  and  Esther. 
Stephen  had  no  sons,  Thomas  but  one,  who  d.  young.  In  the  following, 
the  desoendanta  of  John,  Biehard  and  Geoige  are  given  aepaimtely. 

FiBST  Familt,  ob  JoBii-8  PoBTBBmr. 

2.  JoBK,  ion  of  John,  (1,)  bad,  L  John,  b.  June  28, 1707 ;  11.  Em- 
kiel,  \h  Mareb  4, 1700,  went  to  Nova  Sootia;  IIL  George,  h,  Aug.  18^ 
1711 ;  IV.  Bbeneier,  h.  Aug.  81, 1718;  V.  Mary,  b.  Jan.  28, 1716,  d. 
young;  VI.  Thomas,  b.  Feb.  23,  1718;  VIL  Miuy,b.  Oct  10, 1728; 
VIIL  Oliver,  b.  Dec  U,  1724 ;  IX.  Silence,  b.  Dec  24, 1727. 

8.*Joair,  son  of  John,  (2,)  m.  EUiabeth  Ilendriekof  Fairfield,  Feb. 
12, 1780.  Ch.:  I.  Lois,  b.  May  0, 1744 ;  IL  Lulf,  b.  Maiob  9, 1748,  d. 
1749. 


542  BmOBT  OF  WAIXRBUBT. 

4.  Ebesrzer,  son  of  John,  (2,)  had,  I.  Nathaniel,  b.  April  4,  1*742,  d. 
April  23.  1777  ;  II.  Sarah,  b.  Dec  5,  1744;  III.  Mercy,  b.  Sept.  15, 

.    1747;  IV.  Ebcnezer,  b.  Joly  14,  1750;  V.  David,  b.  July  27,  1752, 
d.  1  757  ;  VL  Phebe,  b.  April  11,  1766;  VII.  David,  b.  June  5,  1760. 

5.  Nathaniel,  son  of  Ebenezer,  (4»)  m.  Martha,  dau.  of  Thomas  Tut- 
tle  of  New  Haven,  Feb.  6,  1764.  Cli. :  I.  Sarah,  b.  March  10,  1705  ; 
II.  llezekiah,  b.  Nov.  30,  1706;  III.  Uri,  b.  June  30,  1768;  IV.  Na- 
thaniel, b.  March  10,  1770;  V.  Jarvis,  b.  Feb.  26,  1772;  VL  AlleD,  bw 
March  11,  1774  ;  VII.  Eiias,  b.  July  18,  1770. 

6.  IIezekiah,  son  of  NalbaDiei,  (5,)  m.  llaDaah,  dau.  of  Levi  Wellon, 
had  ch., — went  West 

7.  Nathaniel,  son  of  Natlianiel,  (5,)  had,  Horace;  Laura,  m.  John 
Hotchki.s.«i ;  Charry  ;  Maria,  rn.  Freeman  Sanford  ;  Garry. 

8.  lIoKACE,  son  of  Nathaniel,  (7,)  m.  1st,  Julia,  dau.  of  Asahel 
Finch,  2(1,  Susan  lliichcock.  Ch. :  L  Edwin,  b.  June  20,  1824;  IL 
Augustus,  b.  March  16,1820;  III.  James,  b.  March  IfJ.  1829;  IV. 
Julia,  b.  Dec.  23,  1733  ;  V.  David,  b.  Dec.  26,  1835;  VL  Stella,  b. 
March  0,  1837  ;  VII.  Nelson,  b.  Oct.  17,  1841;  VIII.  Mary,  b.  Dec 
14,  184 »  ;  IX.  William,  b.  Sept.  28,  1849  ;  X.  Ellen,  b.  March  22,  1852. 

9.  James,  son  of  Horace,  (8,)  m.  Augusta  Boyd  of  Simsbury.  Cb. : 
Georgiana  and  Adelia. 

10.  Gahrv,  son  of  Naihaniel,  (7,)  had  Eliza  and  Nelson. 

11.  David,  son  of  Ebenezer,  (4,)  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Jahez  Tuttle, 
June  20,  1781.  Ch.:  L  Daniel,  b.  Nov.  19,  1781  ;  II.  Jabez,  b.  May 
30,  1783;  IH.  David,  b.  June  27,  1785;  IV.  Hannali,  b.  Sept  18, 
1789  ;  V.  Lucina,  ra.  Osborn. 

12.  Damkl,  son  of  David,  (II,)  m.  Susanna  Selkriggs,  and  had 
William,  George,  Annis,  Sarah  and  Mary. 

13.  Gkokgk,  son  of  Daniel,  (12,)  m.  Charlotte  Smith,  and  had  Sarah, 
George  and  Daniel. 

14.  Jauez,  son  of  David,  (11,)  m.  Betsey  Moore  of  New  Haven. 
Ch.:  I.  i:i)euezer,  b.  Nov.  22,  1805;  IL  Rebecca,  b.  Jan.  27,  1809,  m. 
1st,  Tyler  Bronson,  2d,  Lucius  Beach;  III.  David,  b.  Aug.  26,  1812; 

IV.  Polly,  b.  Sept  1814,  m.  1st,  Cornelius  Mnnaon,  2d,  Marvin  Minor; 

V.  Francis,  b.  Jan.  26,  1717. 

16.  Ebenezbr,  son  of  Jabez,  (14,)  m.  Mary  Bice,  and  bad  Charles. 
10.  David,  son  of  Jabez,  (14,)  no.  Huldah  Bronson.  Cb.:  Fmneat 

£.,  David  F.  and  Albert  B. 

17.  Fnasicn,  ton  of  Jabez,  (14,)  m.  Iincretiii«  dan.  of  Oiiaa  Uubbard 
of  Ooilfbrd.  Cb.:  bidora  L.,  b.  Jan.  4, 1848 ;  Ann  C,  K  Oct  14, 1858. 

18.  Taoiiaa,  ton  of  Jobn,  (2,)  m.  Marj,  dau.of  B.  Costettof  Simsbnry, 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


▲PFENDIZ. 


643 


Sept.  15,  1742.  Ch. :  I.  Ezekiel,  b.  Aug.  29,  1743;  IT.  Reuben,  b.  Feb. 
19,  1740  ;  III.  Allin^r,  b.  July  14,  1748,  d.  1749;  IV.  Allingr,  b.  May 
15,  1750,  (i.  1750  ;  V.  Bitliel,  b.  Aug.  9,  1751,  d.  1763;  VI.  Lucretia, 
b.  Jan.  20,  1754;  VII.  Kosetla,  b.  Feb.  10,  1757,  d.  1757;  VIII. 
Levitia,  b.  April  20,  1759;  IX.  Sliubel,  b.  July  29,  1761 ;  X.  Bethel,  b. 
July  18,  1707. 

19.  Rkuhek,  SOB  of  Tbomas,  (18,)  m,  Rhocia  Iluli  of  Wailingford. 
CHl.:  T.  Johnson  F.  ;  II.  Eri ;  III.  Polly,  m.  Obailiali  Warner;  IV.  Eze- 
kiel ;  V.  Lucretia,  m.  William  Pendleton  ;  VI.  Rosetta,  in.  David  Ed- 
wards; VII.  Pliila,  ra.  William  Smith  ;  VIII.  Lovisa. 

20.  Eri,  son  of  Reuben,  (19,)  m.  Alma  Baxter.  Ch. :  Orrin,  Julia 
Ann,  Lucius  13.,  Mary,  Ransom  W.,  Ivhvanl,  Charles,  Sarah,  Eri. 

21.  EzRKiEL,  son  of  Reuben,  (19.)  had,  Lovisa,  Alma,  Harriet,  Jennet, 
Merritt,  Miranda,  Sarah,  Mary  and  Hiram. 

22.  Merritt,  son  of  Ezekiel,  (21,)  ui.  Clarissa,  dau.  of  Eliaa  Prichard, 
and  ba<l  Henrietta. 

23.  EzBKiKL,  son  of  Thomas,  (18,)  m.  Mercy,  dau.  of  Ebencser  Wel- 
ton,  Oct.  1766.  Ch.:  L  Eri,  b.  Feb.  8,  1768 ;  IL  Cephas,  b.  April 
25, 1771 ;  IIL  Gracina,  b.  Mareb  7,  1774. 

2i.  Cum,  son  of  John,  (2.)  m.  Margaret,  dao.  of  Benjamin  Warner, 
Dec.  14, 1749,  and  d.  No7. 10, 1809.  She  d.  Jan.  17, 1828.  Ch. :  L 
Anne,  b.  Deo.  14,  1749,  d.  1758 ;  XL  Aid,  b.  Aug.  19|  1752 ;  IIL  Ben- 
jamin, l».  Sept  27, 1764;  IV.  Arad,  h.  Feb.  26, 1758,  went  to  Virginia, 
m.  and  bad  daaghtera;  V.  Margaret,  b.  Oct  27, 1768. 

25.  Abd,  eon  of  OUver,  (24,)  m.  Sept.  18,  1778,  Eliiabeth,  dan.  of 
Ebenezer  Warner,  and  d.  July  9, 1808.  She  d.  April  15,  1827.  Ch.: 
L  Anni*,  b.  Sept  13,  1774,  m.  Lyman  Warner  of  Nortbfield,  and  d. 
July,  1844 ;  IL  Erattoa,  b.  Aug.  6,  1776,  d.  Aug*  1^49;  IIL  Margaret 
An  b.  Feb.  25, 1779,  m.  Lemnel  Ftorter,  went  to  Ohio^  and  d.  in  1806 ; 
IV.  Isaac,  bw  Oct  2, 1785,  d.  Feb.  17, 1806,  while  a  member  of  T.  C. 

26.  ERA8TU8,  son  of  Ard,  (25.)  m.  Abigail  Chnidi,  who  d.  Fek  23, 
1846.  Cb. :  L  Polly,  b.  July  24, 1797,  m.  Jared  a  Hall,  Joly,  1884 ; 
n.  Skelden,  b.  Nov,  7,  1799;  IIL  Aid,  b.  Feb.  24, 1805,— resides  in 
Charleston,  8.  C;  IV.  Isaac,  b.  Ang.  25, 1806 ;  V.  Elisabetb,  k  Mardi 
27,  1809,  m.  Joseph  Hine,  July  20, 1886. 

27.  Sbkldin,  son  of  Erastos,  (26,)  m.  Betsey  Jordan,  Sept  12, 1825, 
wbo  was  h.  Sept  I7, 1808.  Ch.:  Adallne  £,  b.  Not.  11, 1820 ;  Bird- 
sey  S.,  b.  Ang.  17, 1881 ;  Hiram  E,  b.  Oct  14, 1784. 

28.  Ann,  son  of  Erastns,  (26,)  m.  Caroline,  dao.  of  Bichard  F.  Wei- 
ton,  who  d.  Oct  1, 1831,  aged  26.  Ch.:  I.  Maigaret  A.,  b.  Jan.  4, 
1827 ;  Ellen  E^  b.  Oct  18, 1829,  m.  Horace  Johnson,  Sept  7, 1852. 


HIBTOBT  OF  W^TBBBUBT. 


29.  Isaac,  son  of  Erastua,  (26,)  m.  Feb.  22,  1841,  Eunice  P.  Oviatt 
of  Oliio,  where  he  resides.  She  was  b.  Aug.  28,  1809.  Ch. :  Emily,  b. 
May  3,  1843  ;  Lucretia,  b.  May  IG,  1845;  Luthera,  b.  May  16,  1845. 

30.  l^KNjAMi.v,  son  of  Oliver,  (-4,)  m.  Agnes,  dau.  of  Enos  (Junn. 
Ch. :  Anne,  b.  May  10,  1780;  Willard,  b.  Jan.  14,  1782;  Abel  G.,  b. 
Feb.  15,  1785;  BeDjamiD  b.  March  6,1791;  Arad  W.,  b.  May  1, 
1794.  • 

31.  AnKL  G.,  son  of  Benjamin,  (30,)  ra.  Anna,  dau.  of  John  AVarncr. 
Ch. :  I.  George,  was  drownecl  when  a  young  man  ;  II.  Jane.  m.  Luther 
IIoa<lley  ;  III.  Abijah,  m.  Elizabvtli  Upson,  has  a  dau. ;  IV.  William,  m. 
Elvira  Atkins,  ch.,  Jane  and  Harriet;  V.  John;  VI.  Uenrj,  m.  Mrs. 
White — one  child. 

32.  Benjamin  S.,  son  of  Benjamin,  (30,)  ra.  Gray.    Ch.:  Peter, 

decea-^^ed  ;  Caroline,  m.  Cliidsey  ;  Grey,  d.  young. 

33.  Arad  W.,  son  of  Benjamin,  (30,)  ni.  Sally  Smith.  Ch. :  I.  Ellen, 
b.  April  17,  1817,  ra.  Chas.  Wooster,  d.  July  16,  1843;  II.  Oliver,  b. 
Aug.  24,  1820,  d.  Jan.  20,  1842  ;  III.  Andrew  A.,  b.  Aug.  27,  1823,  d. 
Dec.  3,  1841.  The  two  last  d.  while  members  of  Trinity  Coll.  IV. 
Noah  B.,  b.  March  21,  1829,  ra.  EJiza  Baldwin  of  New  ilaven ;  ch.,  Oli- 
ver, b.  J  uly  8,  1 853. 

SSOOMD  FaMILT,  OS  RlOBAVO*8  PoflTBIIIT. 

34.  Ririi  ARD,  son  of  John,  (1.)  had,  I.  llichanl,  b.  1701  ;  II.  John,  b. 
July  13,  1703;  III.  Stephen,  b.  March  12,  170U  ;  IV.  Mary,  b.  June 
1,  1708 ;  V.  Thomas,  b.  Oct.  25,  1710,  d.  Dec.  1,  1780  ;  VI.  Keziah,  b. 
Deo.  1,  1713,  m.  Abraham  Warner;  VIL  Eliakim,  b.  Jan.  21,  1715, 
d.  Nov.  20,  1794;  VIII.  Tabitha,  b.  Feb.  11,  1720,  m.  Edwaid  Neal— 

lived  ia  Southiogton;  IX.  Bde»  K  April  24,  1729,  m.  Lewis,  d. 

aged  21. 

85.  RicBABO,  loa  of  Richard,  (34,)  ra.  Anna  Fenton.  Ch. :  L  Joho  ; 
IL  Aona ;  m.  Titna,  d.  unro. ;  IV.  Abi,  m.  FenB  of  Watertown. 

86.  John,  sod  of  Riehard,  (35,)  m.  Doreaa,  dao.  of  GapU  8amnel 
Hiokox,  Jan.  5*,  1758,  who  d.  June  18, 1816.  He  d.  Jmn,  22,  1816. 
Ch.:  L  Abifb.  Nov.  2,  1758,  d.  1828, nniii. ;  IL  Maiy,  b.  Jane  10, 

1760,  m.  Phelpt,  d.  1811 ;  HI.  Anna,  b.  Feb.  11,  1762.  d.  1808, 

unm.;  IV.  Titus,  K  July  3,  1704 ;  V.  Richard  F.,  b.  April  17,  1768, 
d.  May  9,  1829  ;  YI.  John,  b.  Oct.  28,  1769;  YII.  Dorcas,  b.  Oct  29, 
1771,  d.  1798 ;  VIIL  Adrian,  b.  Feb.  15,  1775,  d.  Oct  20, 1804  ;  IX. 
John,  b.  Jan.  IS,  1778,  d.  April  2, 1818. 

87.  Trnra,  son  of  John,  (80,)  m.  Polly  Hiekox.  Ch. :  L  Jnlia  A.,  m. 
Selden  Sbeltoo  of  Plymouth,  went  to  Western  N.  T. ;  II.  Alanson  W. ; 


▲FPXZTDEX. 


ITT.  Carlos,  b.  1792,  d.  1799;  IV.  Dorcas,  m.  Reuben  lli.;kox ;  V.  and 
VI.  Carlos  and  Titus,  l».  April  10,  18ul,  boili  d.  young;  VII.  Surah,  b. 
1803,  (1.  1809  ;  Vlll.  Wni.  Samuel,  b.  1806,  d.  1817;  IX.  Mary. 

38.  Richard  F.,  son  of  John,  (30  )  m.  1st,  Sarah  Annah  ilirkox,  2d, 
Anna,  dau.  of  Dr.  Tiiiiolhy  Purii-r.    Cli.  :  1.  E(»hraini  \V. ,  11.  Richard 

F.,  m.  Loveland  ;  111.  Lydia  A.,  in.  Anson  Lane;  IV.  George  VV. ; 

V.  Joseph  ;  VI.  Caroline,  b.  Nov.  6,  1805,  ra.  Ard  Wellon, 

39.  ADKiAN.son  of  Julin,  (36  )  m.  Sally  Clark.  Ch. :  I.  Mary  Ann,  in. 
Beubeti  Judd,  d.  Dec.  21,  1 837,  aged  40 ;  IL  Sabriua,  b.  1 799,  d.  1852 ; 

III.  Horace  Clark,  b.  1801,  d.  1854. 

40.  JoHH,  ton  of  John,  (36,)  m.  Abiah  Hull.  Ch.:  L  Maovil;  IL 
Leonard ;  11 L  Adrian ;  IV.  Cbarle«s  tn.  Sally,  dau.  of  Tboa.  Judd. 

41.  Bw»  AL*N80N,8on  of  Titu^i,  (37,)  in.  Eleaoor  Tuttle^  d.  at  Detroit 
Ch. :  Samuel,  Mary  and  Joho. 

42:  Epiikaim  W,  son  of  Riohard  F.,  (38.)  m.  Polly,  dau.  of  Lemuel 
Nichols.  '  Ch. :  Sarah  Ann,  m.  William  floadley;  John;  Qeoiige; 
Epbraitn ;  Henry  and  William. 

48.  Oaoaoa  W.,  son  of  Richard  F.,  (38,)  m.  Harriet  Minor,  who  d. 
May  26,  1889,  and  hem.  Mary  Ann  Oraliam.  Ch.:  Harriet  Muort 
Mary,  Emily  J.,  Ellen  C.  and  George  Richard.  The  last  d.  Aug.  6, 
1865. 

44^  JoBiPH  C,  son  of  Richard  F,,  (88,)  m.  Jane,  dau.  of  Timothj 
Porter.   Ch.:  Caroline. 

45.  HoaACS  C,  son  of  Adrian,  (38,)  m.  S^pliia,  dau.  of  Daniel  Brad- 
ley. Ch.:  I.  William  A.;  IL  Frederick  A.,  m.  and  has  a  eon, 
Byron. 

40.  Okoroi,  son  of  Bphraim  W^  (42,)  m.  Mary  Nichols^  who  d.  in 
1855.   Ch. :  Sarah,  Ellen  and  Charles. 

47.  WiLUAM  A.,  son  of  Horace  C,  (45))  m.  Eliia,  dau.  of  Leonard 
Priehard.   Ch. :  Lewis  F..  d.  1849 ;  Frederick  L.  and  William  P. 

48.  SiKPOEiv,  son  of  Richard,  (34.)  m.  Deo.  18, 1781,  Deborah,  dan. 
of  John  Sutlifl^  and  d.  April  80,  17.'^9.  Ch.:  L  Martha,  b.  Nov.  19, 
1732,  d.  1735;  IL  Levi,  b.  Nov.  10,  1731,  d.  1736;  ill.  Martha,  b. 
March  1,  1736,  m.  J.  Grilley  ;  IV.  Dinah,  b.  May  2,  1738  ;  V.  Levi,  h. 
March  6,  1741;  VL  Stephen,  b.  Jan.  7,  1714;  VIL  Tbomas,  b.  Dea 
22,  1749,  d.  1761 ;  VIII.  Thomas,  b.  Nov.  22,  1751. 

49.  Levi,  son  of  Stephen,  (48,)  in.  Mary,  dau.  of  Richard  S«»ymoar, 
who  <\.  in  1768,  and  he  m.  2d,  Molly  Hull.  Ch. :  I.  Deborah,  b.  Marchl 
28,  17(5'J  ;  ir.  Lvdia,  b.  Oct.  28,  1763  ;  III.  Stephen,  b.  OcU  1,  1765; 

IV.  Molly,  m.  Jesse  Sllkrigg  of  Wolcott ;  V.  Hannah,  m.  Uexekiab 
Welton ;  VL  CynUiia  liosanna,  m.  Michael  Harrison ;  VIL  Lavlniai  m. 

85 


546 


HUTOBT  OF  WATXBBURT. 


James  l^rown ;  VIII.  Disn  ;  IX.  B«'t!»(»y,  ID.   Camp;  X.  Philo,  m. 

-  ■    I>liikesly,  rernnved  to  N.  Y.  St«te. 

60.  Steimikn,  r<)Ii  of  Stt  ]  lu  n,  (48,)  ni.  Lucy  Tlnmias.  Cli, :  Lemod, 
Levi,  Dinali,  Lucy,  Zilpali,  Kliliu,  A^her,  Alficd,  l^ilsey  nml  lit  iic. 

61.  Thomas,  .*on  of  SicplK  Ti,  (48,)  in.  /\l>in:nil,  dau.  of  Li' ut.  \Vm. 
Ilic.kox,  .luiic  22,  1772,  «lio  d.  .Jan.  13.  1791.  He  ni.  2d,  Ruth  Thom- 
as, 3d,  liamiali,  dim.  of  Lt.  Jnrtd  Hill,  and  d.  Ai>iil,  1835.  Cli. :  1.  Sey- 
mour, h.  July  2  1772:  II.  Sarnli,  U.  IUh-.  18.  1773,  d.  1774  ;  III.  J;.red, 
h.  July  15,  1774;  IV.  Eiias  l».  July  18,  l77«i,ni.  Klioda  rriudic  of 
^Valert(.\vn;  V.  Sarali.  b.  D.-c  12.  1778,  in.  b  vi  Hall  of  WOl  oii  ;  VL 
Chloe,  b.  Nov.  2,  1780.  in.  J«»lin  Barnes  ;  VII.  Lydia,  b.  July  21,  1783; 
VIIL  Fanny,  b.  April  1,  1785  ;  IX.  Laura,  b.  F»  b.  1787;  X.  liansom, 
b.  July  18,  1780,  went  to  Canada;  XI.  Tlionias  IL;  XH.  Kuth  N.,  m. 
Street  Todd  ;  XI II.  IL  rsdu  l.  b.  1707,  d.  1842. 

62.  Sevmoi  k,  son  of  Tliuiiifi.*,  (51,)  m.  Olive  Ilarrison.  Ch. :  Harri- 
son, Si«|)lirc»nia  and  John  P. 

63.  Jared,  son  of  Thomas,  (51  )  m.  I'liilomela  Norton.  Cli.:  Abbe  ; 
Ziba ;  Emily;  Orestes;  Leonard;  Fanny  ;  Delia  A.,  in.  I)auiid,  son  of 
Elias  Clark,  is  the  only  living  Jan.  of  this  family  ;  Aiiuira;  Maiyett. 

64.  HKB8CHKL,aon  of  Thomas.  (.)!.)  m.  Eunice  dau.  of  David  Prin- 
die  of  Wateitown.  Cli. :  David  T. ;  Chaunccy  P.,  ni.  Jennet  Cleve- 
land, And  had.  Dwight,  GMniline  and  Ella;  Sliennan  E.;  Hannah  A.; 
lUnslin  N. ;  Ilnstor  E.;  llei^cliel  O. 

65.  David  T.,8on  of  Ilerachi'l,  (54  )  m.  Ist,  Polly  Nicbols,  2d,  Cmo- 
line  Tortier.  Gli. :  Everet  and  twn  dniiirhterM. 

66.  Sbibman  E,M>n  of  Uerscbel,  (54,)  m.  Caroline  Cleveland,  who 
d.  Jane  15, 1896.   Ch.:  Hattie. 

67.  Raksuh  N.,  ton  of  Ilem'bel,  (54,)  m.  Mary,  dan.  of  Edward 
Scott   Ch. :  Mary  and  another  dan. 

68.  TuoMAa,  BOD  of  Rieliard«  (34.)  m.  Lydia  Utter,  Sd,  Lydia  Warner. 
He  lived  od  Bui'ks  hill — had  no  ch. — ad«<pied  hi«  nephew,  Richard  Wel- 
Um.  His  wife  survived  him,  m.  Dr.  Preserved  Porter,  and  d.  OcL  1821, 
1^1  92. 

69.  EuaKiMfBon  of  Richard,  (84 )  m.  A|iril  88, 1788,  Ennice,  dan.  of 
MoBM  Uronson.  Ch. :  I.  Eliakim,  b.  S(*pt.  22, 1786,  d.  June  8, 1881 ; 
n.  Eunice,  b.  Oct  19,  1788,  m.  David  Roberts;  III.  Avis,  h.  Aug.  18, 
1740,  m.  Thaddeus  Barnes^  tV.  Richanl,  b.  Oct  10,  1748,  d.  Feb.  26, 
t822;  V.  Eli,  b.  Oct  10,  1748;  VL  Moeea,  b.  June  25, 1749;  VII. 
Aaron,  b.  Feb.  19,  1752;  VSII.  and  IX.  Renoni  and  Benjamin,  b.  FeK 
18, 1766.  Benoni  d.  unin.,  Benjamin  d.  young. 

•  60.  EuAUM,  son  of  Eliakim,  (59,)  m.  Amy,  dao.  of  Ebeneier  Bald- 


AFPBVDIZ. 


5«7 


win.  who  d.  Jan.  3,  1829,  a^ed  87.  C!i.:  I.  Eben,  K  June  24,  1764; 
If.  Einkiin,  I).  Dec.  13.  1763;  Ilf.  Amy,!..  Sept.  25,  1770,.!.  1770  ; 
IV.  Jose])!i,  b.  S'pt.  6,  1771.  d.  1774  ;  V.  .\I  rk,  h.  April  27.  1773;  VI. 
Amy,  b.  A|.hl  4,  1776  ;  VII.  Avice,  b.  M  .rvli  12,  1770,  d.  1779  ;  VIH. 
Jo.sepii,  b  M;irdi  29,  1780;  IX.  Muse-,  b.  .March  16,  1783,  d.  SvjiU  14, 
1829;  X.  Micoi  k,  b.  Marrij  9,  1787,  d.  17.-8. 

61.  ILicnAKD,  son  of  E'iiikim,  (59.)  m.  M  trj^arftt,  dau.  of  ElMMuver 
WariKT,  April  27,  1760.  Siie  d.  Oci.  19.  1768,  and  be  m.  21,  Han- 
nah Davis,  Aug.  7,  1770,  who  d.  Dec.  11,  1839.  Ch. :  I.  Noah.  b. 
Feb.  15,  1707,  d.  Jan.  20.  1817  ;  II.  Riehard  Warner,  b.  Oct.  10.  1768, 
d.  Dec.  1768;  III.  Rii-lianl,  b.  M  ly  10,  177  '.d.  Sept.  26,  18)7;  IV. 
M«rs:aret,  b.  July  2,  1772,  m.  D  luiel  Steele;*  V.  Tiiomas,  b.  Dec.  8, 
1774,  d.  April  18,  1856;  VI.  Lyilia,  b.  April  1,  1777,  m.  David  Rob- 
erta of  IJurlington,  and  d.  Aug.  31,  U28;  VII.  HHUnHli.  b.  Oct.  10, 
1779,  m.  David  Warner— went  to  Geneseo,  N.  Y.:  VIII.  Jo»epk 
0iivi«,  b.  April  15.  1783,  d.  Jhiu  16,  1825;  IX.  13elN,  b.  Sept.  9,  1787, 
d.Oct  10,  1822. 

62.  Eu,  ion  of  Elinkim,  (59,)  ra.  Anna  Bnldwin,  July  1,  1771.  Ch.: 
Eli,  b.  Aug.  10,  1772;  Ami,  b.  Not.  24.  1778;  Pht-b**,  b.  Sqit  29, 
1776,  d.  1777  ;  EuDtce,  b.  Aug.  12,  1777;  Benoni,  h.  April  19,  1780; 
Anna;  Printlia, 

68.  Eu,  son  of  Eli,  (62 )  had,  Joel,  Bennet,  Elt  anil  Ana. 

64.  Eli,  son  of  Eli,  (6:r)  m.  Rlioibi  Wilnon.  Cli.:  I.  Elmore,  m. 
Sarah  Aon 'Cleveland ;  ch.,  I.  Uutnur ;  IL  Jnne ;  III.  Kuth. 

65.  Asa,  son  of  Eli,  (02.)  ni.  Peiin.  Ch. :  I.  SeMen ;  II.  Ilirami 

m.  TIarriet,  dau.  of  Timothy  lUU,  d.  leaving  no  ch.;  III.  Lyman ;  IV. 
Emily,  m.  Simeon  Pliilipa;  V.*IIemiin. 

66.  Hbman,  ton  of  Asa,  (66,)  m.  lut,  Adalbe  Bhdceslee.  2d,  A. 
Carter.  Ch. :  Oliver  BlHkt«I««  and  another  aim. 

67.  Mosss,  son  of  Eliakim,  (50,)  n.  Betta  Wooster.  Ch.:  Andrew 
and  E!isur. 

68.  A\Boii,  son  of  Eliakim.  (50,)  m.  Zera  Bmnsnn«  Jan.  13,  I7f7« 
Ch. :  Taroar,  b.  Feb.  28,  1778;  Junia,  b.  Dec  1770 ;  Ilanrey,  \k  Oct 
28, 1780.  d.  1782 ;  Har«ey,  b.  Nov.  2,  1782. 

60.  Ebbw.  son  of  Eliakim,  (60.)  m.  S.-I  a^s  dan.  of  Tit«»  Bamce.  an)l 
moved  to  Ohio  with  his  family.  Ch. :  Avloe^  Sarah,  Selden,  Jacobs 
Elisha,  Caroline,  Eben  and  Polly. 


*  K«r.  Asmia.  8mu.  s  Con  of  D«aM  hjr  •  Snt  «tr«t  wms  Immtb  In  Wwtertaorj^,  Jvn.  St.  ITM. 

HeiMnr  rr«lrlM  In  WonhlnirtAn  OHy,  and  U  tlMAnthnr  of  n  recent  work  rvlnrine  Inhnrlntu  r*. 
•nreh,  entitled  "  Chief  of  the  PilKriins.  or  tli«  Life  mad  TIxdcs  of  WUllau  Brcwatei.*'  Urn  mar* 
fl«d  a  ilwc  Wliiil    BMf  BitwHf H«  B. 


i_.vju,^uo  Ly  Google 


«48 


HIBTOBT  OF  WATERBUBT. 


70.  Eliakim,  ROTi  of  Eliakim,  (60,)  m.  Ix)ly,  dan.  of  Titus  Bamen.  Jan. 
8,  1788,  and  went  to  Ohio  with  hin  fHUiily.  CIj.  :  I.  Ora^eiia,  b.  March 
10,  1700,  m.  Tho9.  Worden;  II.  Midia  B.,  I..  An?.  13,  1792,  m. 
Wealthy  Upson;  III.  Sherman  P.,  b.  OeU  24,  1796,  d.  1797  ;  IV. 
Slierman  P.,  b.  Oct  8,  1798,  m.  Ruth  Upson;  V.  Sally  b.  July 
7,  1801,  m.  in  Ohio. 

71.  Mark,  son  of  Eliakim,  (CO.)  m.  Sally  Davis,  and  removed  to  the 
Slate  of  N.  Y.  Cb. :  Samuel,  Truman,  Amy,  Hiram,  Harriet,  Aimira 
and  Dorcas. 

72.  .TosEi'ii,  son  of  Eliakim,  (00,)  m.  Ellen,  dan.  of  John  Warner  of 
Plyniniitli,  and  wont  to  the  State  of  N.  Y.  Cli.  1  Normao,  Cbarlolte, 
Warner,  Fimeline  and  Eliakitn. 

73.  Moses,  f^on  of  Eliakim,  (CO.)  ni.  Ilnldah,  dau.  of  Titus  Hotohlcias 
of  Wolcott,  Aupr.  20,  1810.  Ch.:  I.  Milo,  b.  1811,  d.  younnr ;  U. 
Jnlia,  h,  Nov.  22,  1813,  m.  Andrew  Ilouirh  ;  III.  Sarah,  b.  Feb.  20, 
1820,  m.  Franklin  Hail;  IV.  IIid<lah,  b.  Sept.  12,  1823,  m.  Edward 
Pratt;  V.  Hester,  b.  April  6,  1825,  in.  lliraiu  Curlisa;  VI.  Mary,  b. 
April  25,  1827,  m.  Joel  Ilimcrcrford. 

74.  NoAii,  Ron  of  Richard.  (01.)  in.  Nabby  Chidsey  of  East  Haven, 
In  1791,  2  1,  Ellon  Cowles  Deo.  1804,  wbod.  N'ov.  26,  1848.  He  lived 
in  Ilarwinton.  Ch. :  I.  MiioB.  !».  Jnne  15,  1703  ;  II.  Margaret  A.,  b. 
March  28,  1800,  d.  1803;  HI.  Aaline,  b.  Juno  ir>.  1803,  m.  Willard 
lliiohcook  of  Biirliii£rt*>n,  April  3,  1822,  and  went  to  Vt.;  IV.  Nabby, 
b.  N.>v.  17,  1805,  m.  Charles  .Iiidson,  May,  1826;  V.  Margaret  A.,  b. 
Jan.  2,  1808,  m.  Enoch  Marks  May,  1826;  VI.  Noah  E.,  b.  Aug.  12, 
1811,  d.  Oct.  1848;  VII.  John  J.,  b.  Feb.  2,  1814;  VIII.  Lester  C,  b. 
April  20,  1817;  IX.  Elvira,  b.  April  25,  1821,  in.  Rev.  Collis  Potter, 
of  Plymouth,  in  1851  ;  X.  Bela  A.,  b.  Dec.  25,  1823;  XI.  Jane,  b. 
July  12. 1827,  m.  Jared  Smith  of  Uarwintnn  in  1864. 

75.  Miles,  son  of  Noah,  (74.)  m.  Jan.  1815,  Nancy,  dau.  of  Stephen 
Graves  of  E.  Plymouth.  Cli. :  I.  Street  C ,  b.  Sept.  8.  1 8 1 6 ;  II.  Ximnus, 
Ik  IXfC  16,  1817,  d.  Au^.  9,  1822  ;  HI.  Albert,  b.  May  7,  1820;  IV. 
Cbrliw,  b.  April  8, 1828 ;  V.  X.  Atmson,  h,  Uansh  17, 1824 ;  VI.  Ruth 
Adaline^  b.  July  14,  1826,  m.  JSbm  0*ll  of  Plyroontb,  April,  1845; 
VIL  Nancy  Ann,  b.  Jan.  25, 1830,  m.  Balpfa  llomphrey  of  Ansonfa, 
Nov.  1858;  Vni.  Miijor  G.,  b.  June  21,  1882 ;  IX.  Marvin  B.,  b.  Jane 
81, 1892;  X.  Emily  W.,  b.  April  17,  1886. 

76.  Noah  R,  son  of  Noah,  (74,)  ro.  Mahitabel  Bnlkley  in  1882,  and 
Sd,  Lydia  J.  Chidsey  in  1886.  Cb.:  Charlotte  A,  Noah  J^  Elton  J. 
And  Seymour  H. 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


APPKNIIIX. 


649 


77.  JoHV  J.,  pon  of  Noah,  (74,)  fn.  Maria  Wilcox.  April,  1840,  wlio 
d.  Sept.  1847.    Cli. :  ChuHes,  b.  1841  ;  Ellen  M.,  b.  184G. 

78.  Le:»ter  C,  son  of  Noah,  (7 1,)  m.  Corni  Mathuwa  uf  BrUtol,  Sept 
1845, — is  now  living  in  Ueary  Co,  111.  Ob,:  JamM  M.,  Ellea  A.  and 
Merritt  llobert. 

79.  BeU  A.,  Boa  of  Noah,  (74,)  resides  in  III.,  m.  Jane  Merritt,  baa  a 
Bon. 

80.  Strebt  C,  son  of  Mites,  (75.)  m.  Aaline  Smitb  of  Orange,  N. 
Sept.  1841.    Ch. :  John  S.  and  Alant^on. 

81.  Albekt,  son  of  Miles,  (75,)  m.  Susan  A.  Bidwell  of  NorLbfieldf 
Jan.  1842.    Ch. :  Francis  G.,  Mary  E.  and  George  W. 

82.  C.\RLo.s,  son  of  Miles,  (75,)  m.  Maria  E.  Peck  of  Farmioglon, 
Nov.  1846,  who  (1.  Feb.  1850,  leaving:  a  son,  Henry  A. 

83.  X.  Alaxson,  son  of  Miles,  (75.)  is  an  Episcopal  cleri^yraan,  and 
rector  of  St.  .Matthew's  church,  Canibi  idij.',  Jlciiry  Co.,  III.  He  m.  Uar . 
riot  F.  Hoot  of  (iuilford,  Vt,  Sej)t,  4,  18.">;],  and  had  a  dau.,  Ellen  E. 

84.  Richard,  sou  of  liiehard,  (01,)  in.  Sarah,  daugiiter  of  Nathaniel 
Gunn,  March,  1797.  She  d.  July  20,  1851.  Ch.  :  I.  Arteine>ia,  b. 
April  15,  1708,  m.  Lauren  Frisbie,  Nov.  28,  1821  ;  H.  Edward,  h.  Jan. 
ID,  1800;  HI.  Merriit,  b.  April  5,  1802;  IV.  Amy,  b.  April  18,  1804, 
m.  Mortimer  Jordon  of  Ala.;  V.  Uaanah  M.^  b.  July  10,  1807,  in. 
Nathanial  Hawkins  of  Ala. 

85.  Edward,  son  of  Richard,  (84.)  ra.  Laura  Brown.  Ch. :  Richard, 
Noah  A.,  Caroline  A.  and  Martha  A. 

80.  Mkrkitt,  son  of  Richard,  (84,)  m.  went  South,  is  now  in  Califor- 
nia with  his  family.  Ch. :  Lamson,  Amy  and  Lydia  E, — probablj 
others. 

87.  Thomas,  son  of  Richard,  (01,)  m.  Sybil  Cook  of  WallingTtirQ, 
Jan.  3,  1797.  She  was  b.  Oct.  10,  1778.  Ch.:  I.  Lyman, b.  June  16, 
1798;  II  Evelina,  b.  Jan.  23,  1800,  m.  Anson  I>*jwn8,  Oct.  2d,  1828; 
in.  Minerva,  b.  March  19,  1802,  m.  Hurtoo  Payne,  Feb.  8,  1828; 
IV.  Sally  D.,  b.  Sept  5,  1807,  d.  1808;  V.  Sally  D..b.  June  14, 1810, 
m.  Henry  Bronton,  Oct.  4,  1882;  VL  Nanoj,  b.  April  12,  1812,  m. 
Frederic  A.  Bradley,  May  22, 1836. 

•88.  Ltkan,  aon  of  Xhos.  (b7.)  in.  Minerva,  dau.  of  Benjamin  Judd, 
Dec  24,  1822.  Ch. :  Henry  A^  b.  Deo.  2.  1823 ;  Franklin  L,  b.  Ueo. 
11,  1827;  Nelson  J.,  b.  Feb.  15,  1829.  llenry  A.  is  m.  and  has  one 
chn  Thos.  H.— Franklin  L.  is  also  m.,  has  had  three  eh.,  one  only  b 
living. 

89.  Rev.  JoeiPH  D.,  aon  of  Richard,  (61.)  m.  Eunioe,  dan.  of  Victory 
Tomlinson.  She  d.  Feb.  20, 1832.  Ch. :  L  J ulia  M.,  b.  July,  1 809,  m.  Geo, 


550 


BIBTOKT  OV  WAIBBBURT. 


•Warner;  IL  H.»bert  V.,b.  Oct.  28, 181 1, in.  A«laline,dan.of  LnllierRich- 
•rds  tif  Vl.,  ai.<l  Itis  vh.  are,  E.Jwin  D ,  l».  .183<'i,  Sarah  C^b*  1839,  Harriet 
A.,b.  1850  :  III.  J()S('|.li,  l».  May  1.0,  1814,  in.  Mnry,  dau.of  Sv«biiry  Pier- 
pont.  Ch.,  Uebvr  11.,  b.  Ifc37,  Eunice  C,  b.  1839,  Lucy  A.,  b.  1841 ; 
IV.  Henry,  b.  Sirpt.  27,  1824,  in.  Lucy  Haird  of  HulValo,  N.  Y. 

00.  Hbla.  son  uf  Rit  bHrd,  (61,)  m.  April  16,  1817,  Tolly,  dau.  of 
Benjamin  Mor<  lioiise  of  Wasliington,  Conn.  She  was  b.  Nov.  27, 
1792.  Ch. :  L  Hi.  hard,  b.  Jan.  7,  1820,  m.  Ally  Mitchel,  May  10, 
1853,  has  two  chiMren,  Nelly  M.  and  Kirhard  ;  IL  Hawley  Seymour, 
b.  Oct.  13,  1821,  m.  Elvu  Merriaiii,  Dec.  19,  1844.  Ch.:  13«la  and 
fiicbard. 

Thibo  Family*  or  Giorob*8  Postbbitt. 

91.  George,  son  of  John,  (1,)  had  ch.  :  L  Steplien,  b.  Oct.  27,  1718; 
II.  Samuel,  b.  Oct.  20,  1715,  d.  1738;  IH.  Peter,  b.  Sept.  28,  1718; 
IV.  £lizabetli,  b.  May  23,  1721 ;  V.  Hannah,  b.  June  11,  1723  ;  VL 
Jamea,  b.  Oct  0,  1720  ;  VIL  Josiah,  b.  June  10,  1728,  m.  Martha,  daa* 
of  Jonathan  Kellj  of  Woodbury,  d.  in  1768,  no  ch.;  VIII.  Dan,  b.  Maj 
19,  1781. 

92.  Jamss,  aon  of  George,  (91,)  was  the  first  male  child*  K  (Oct.  9, 
1725)  in  that  part  of  Waierbury,  now  Watertown.  He  m.  Mary,  wid. 
of  Joseph  Privhaid  of  Milford,  in  1768. 

98.  Stspbrn,  son  of  George,  (91,)  m.  Aug.  27,  1741,  Abigail,  dan. 
of  Jonathan  Welton.  She  d.  Nov.  1,  1778.  Ch. :  L  Elijah,  b.  Aug.  1 3, 
1742 ;  IL  Samuel,  b.  Nov.  2,  1744 ;  III.  Jesse,  b.  Nov.  28.  1746 ;  lY. 
Amaha.  b.  April  26,  1749 ;  V.  Daniel,  b.  April  1,  1752,  d.  1753;  YL 
'^Achsah,*'  b.  Sept.  15,  1754;  YIt.  Josiah,  b.  FeU  17,  1759. 

94.  EujAB,  son  of  Stephen,  (98,)  m.  Feb  28,  1769,  Hannah,  dan.  of 
Isaac  T}ler  of  Wallingfurd.  Ch.:  Daniel  M.,  b.  Aug.  14,  1770 ;  Isaac, 
b.  Jan.  11, 1775 ;  Hannah,  b.  Jan.  8,  1778 ;  Stephen. 

95.  Samurl,  son  of  Stephen,  (98,)  m.  Jemsha  Hill,  Nov.  28, 1770, 
and  d.  May  9,  1777.  Ch. :  I.  Anna,  b.  Dec  23,  1770;  JL  Jonathan,  b. 
FeU  14,  1774 ;  ch.,  George,  Samuel,  Edward  and  Stephen;  HI.  Lydia, 
b.  Oct  18,  1776. 

96.  Jb88b,  son  of  Stephen,  (93,)  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Isaac  Tyler  of 


•  TlMSntp«fwuMotMCacf«  of  W«itlmrv,MaMrMn]riiM|alrt«h»vt«staDd«d,  wwwJeoA. 

(ban  Sootl,  ?tn.  and  Dr.  (aftt-rwards  De>con)  John  Warner.  These  had  no  chlldrfn  aft.  r  their 
removal  thither.  Isaac  Castle  from  Woodbury  settled  Uiere  about  17  5,  and  had  borti  (and  re- 
•wMlaWBtcrtary)»MB,AnM,.4«VMlM.11«(b<Mlraiid  ibaSswM.)  ImimITImm, 
another  BcttUr,  had  a  daughter,  Mabfll,  «Im  iMorM  in  WMtrboiy,  Ik  Aof.  14,  ITUk  (8m  pb 
SM,  of  UiU  work.>-H.  B. 


APPBNDIZ. 


551 


Wallingfonl,  Dec.  13,  1770.  Ch. :  Pjirthenia,  b.  July  4,  1772;  Aoi- 
gnil,  b.  M«?cb  6,  1774 ;  Ktios,  b.  Sept.  89,  1776;  JeK-^e. 

07.  Amasa,  Son  of  Stephen.  (93  )  in.  Mary,tlau.  of  Benjamin  Nichols, 
Sept  6,  1770.  Ch.:  Achsah,  b.  M«y  20,  1778 ;  Orpba,  b.  Jud^  3, 
1776. 

08.  JofHAR,  80D  of  Stephen,  (93.)  had  cb.,  Samuel  and  Uri. 

99.  pETKR,  ^on  of  Georjre,  (91.)  in.  Ahigail,  ilau.  of  NHthaiiiel  Por- 
ter, N..V.  22.  173'.).  Ch  :  I.  Samuel,  b.  Sfpt.  2G,  1740,  d.  1740;  IL 
Ruth,  b.  Si'pt.  26,  1741  ;  III.  Peltr,  b.  Feb.  28,  1744;  IV.  Job.  b. 
March  15,  174G,  d.  at  TieoDderoga,  Oct.  1  1,  1776;  V.  Ab'gail.  b.  Aug. 
4,  1748,(1.  1751;  Vi.  Georjre,  b.  Aug.  26,  1750,  d.  1751;  VII.  Abi- 
gail, b.  Oct.  27,  1752;  Vlll.  Elizabeth,  b.  May  18.  1756;  IX.  Diimli.  b. 
June  1,  1769;  X.  G«oig6,  b.  ^ov.  12,  1701;  XL  Mary,  b.  May  15, 
1705. 

100.  Peter,  son  of  Peter,  (99.)  m.  Desire  Cooper,  April  10,  1766. 
Ch.:  I.  De.>ire,  b.  Do.'.  15,  1706;  II.  A  son.  b.  July  1,  1769;  III.  Sa- 
rah, b.  May  19,  1771 ;  IV.  Peter,  b.  Dec.  I77d ;  V.  Joeiab,  b.  Aug.  6, 
1776. 

101.  Dan,  son  of  George,  (91,)  m.  and  bad  Gaal  and  James.  The 
last  bad  a  dau.  Ireua. 

WOODWARD. 

1.  Hrnuy  Woodward,*  from  Enijland,  settled  in  Dorchesfer,  Mass., 
about  1636,  and  united  with  the  church  there  previous  to  1639.  In 
1651),  he  retnov*^!  to  Nonhainpton,  to  which  place  he  fullowod  Rev. 
EKazer  Mather,  and  was  one  of  the  seven  |»illars  when  the  cliurch  was 
organized,  June  18,1661.  lie  built  a  mill  there,  (not  the  first  mill,) 
and  ''was  killed  in  his  grist  mill,"  (by  lightning  it  is  said,)  April  7f 
1685.  Ills  wife,  E  izabetli,  d.  in  Northampton,  Aug.  13.  1690.  Ch. : 
I.  Experience,  m.  Medad  P.mierv,  N(»v.  21,  1661;  II.  Freedom,  bap. 
at  D  .rchester,  in  16t2,  m.  Jede<liah  Strong,  Nov.  18,  1662;  HI. 
Thankful,  m.  Joiin  Tiyl-.r,  Dec.  18.  1662  ;  IV.  John,  an  only  son. 

2.  JoH.N,  son  of  Henry,  (1.)  lived  in  Northampton  till  after  the  death 
of  bin  father.  He  reu»oved  tirst  to  Westfield,  and  then  to  Lebanon, 
Conn.  He  m.  Anna  Dewey,  of  Westfield,  dau  of  the  emigrant,  Thos, 
Dewey  of  Windsor,  May  18,  1671.    Ch.  recorded  in  Northampton  :  I. 


*  I  am  iuformed  Uiat  be  biid  a  brother  John,  wbo  came  with  hita  U>  Mm*., — became  a  Quaker, 
VM  taal«hwl,  wat  (o  IL  L,  was  affsia  baatohel  muI  hit  MMto  oonBiMtod.  Ht  If  nq^oaad  I* 
tote  gone  to  virciata,  th*  noBtrwu  tialllM  of  lh*l  aMM,  now  feud  ai  «b«  8o«tlh  orlglu- 
tad  la  that  8ut«. 


BISTORT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


Elizabeth,  b.  March  17,  1672,  m.  Stephen  Lee  of  Westfiel.l,  in  1G91; 
11.  John,  bap.  April  2,  1G74  ;  111.  Samuel,  b.  March  20,  1676,  d.  Oct. 
20,  167G;  IV.  Henry,  b.  March  18,1680;  V.  Tliomiw,  b.  April  22, 
1682;  VI.  Lrael,  b.  Feb.  6,  1685. 

3.  Capt.  IsHAKL,  sen  of  John,  (2.)  ni.  Abigail  Beard  of  Iluntinplon, 
and  removed  to  that  part  of  Waterbur}-,  now  Watertown,  about  1750. 
They  lived  together  in  the  married  state  69  years,  and  d.  at  the  a<l- 
vanced  ages  of  93  and  96.  Ch.:  I.  Nathan;  II.  Abel,  b.  April  1, 
1736-7  ;  III.  Israel;  IV.  John;  V.  Asa,  m.  Esther  Roberts,  noiss.; 
VI.  Elijah;  VII.  Anna,  m.  Asa  Cu^ti^^*;  VIII.  Eunice,  in.  Wait  ScoU ; 
IX.  Abigail,  d.  in  infancy  ;  X.  Samuel,  b.  Oct.  25,  1750. 

4.  Nathan,  son  of  Urael,  (3.)  ni.  1st,  Sarah  llickox,  2d,  Eunice 
Painter,  July  1,  1731,  Ch. :  Moses,  lluwkiua,  Autepas,  John,  Na- 
than, Sarah,  Lois,  Polly  ajid  Laura. 

6.  Abp:l,  son  of  Israel,  (3  )  m.  Lucy  Atwood,  March  20,  1705.  Ch.: 
1.  Kt^bun  S.,  b.  Jan.  9,  1766;  II.  Eunice,  b.  March  IK,  17G7;  III. 
Lucy,  b.  March,  17G9,  d.  1770;  IV.  Abel,  b. Oct,  13,  1770;  V.  James, 
b.  Sept.  25,  1772  ;  VL  David,  b.  Oct.  2G,  1774  ;  VII.  Lucy,  b.  July 
23,  177G;  VIII.  John,  b.  Aug.  12,  1778  ;  IX.  Jerusha,  b.  April  2, 
1781 ;  X.  KusscI,  1).  1783. 

6.  Israel,  son  of  Israel,  (3,)  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Eliakim  Stoddard, 
Oct.  28,  1765.  Ch. :  Israel  1*..,  b.  1767  ;  ramelia,  b.  1770 ;  Abigail,  b. 
1772  ;  Anna,  b.  1774  ;  As.o,  b.  1779. 

7.  John,  son  of  Israel,  (3.)  m.  Lydia  Trowhridjre,  July  13, 1786.  Ch.: 
Williani,  b.  May  3,  1787;  liebecca,  b.  July  9,  1789  ;  Abigail,  b.  June 
80,  1791;  LuciuB. 

8.  Eluah,  son  of  Isniel,  (3,)  m.  Margaiy  Ricbarda.  Cb. :  Truman, 
Sally,  Minerva  and  Dutba. 

9.  Br.  Samuil,  ton  of  Israel,  (3.)  m,  Mary  Griswold.  Ch. :  Mary,  Lanra, 
Samud  Bayard,  Elijah,  Griswold,  Rufun,  Henry  and  Charles.  Samuel. 

^B.  waa  a^diatjngnishgii  physician,  first  of  Wetherftfifi)d  then  qt-Woccc4^ 
ter,  and  afterwards  of  Northampton.  Ma8S.,^wbere  he  died  in  l850^He 
had  charge  of  the  Hoi^pital  for  tbeTuilmQL  Rui^is  gradu- 

ated at  Y.  C  in  1816,  became  a  tutor  and  d.  in  1824.  Henty  was  a 
physician  in  Middletown  of  great  promise,  and  died  in  1832.  Charlea 
ia  now  a  well  known  practitioner  of  metlicine  in  Middletown.  They 
were  all  bom  in  Torringford,  to  which  place  the  father  removed  in  early 

{ 

■-.lyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


111.  LATER  ECCLESIASTICAL  SOCIETIES: 
MAKUFACTURING:  SrATlSTlCS. 

ArrxE  the  matter  of  the  preceding  pages  had  bem  arranged,  and  tfaa  book 
advaoocd  in  the  printing,  there  were  pnt  into  my  liands  oerlain  doemnenta 
relating  to  the  more  recently  organized  churchen  of  Waterbnry,  and  tbo  manufiw 

taring  interests  of  the  place.  I  insert  them  here,  in  come  instance?  pivinp  only 
8un)inarie.«.  The  aketoh  of  the  Baptist  church  which  immediatelj  foUow«  lias  been 
already  printed. 

THX  BAPTIST  CHURCH  IN  WATERBURT. 

In  preparing  a  altetch  of  the  Hialory  of  the  Baptlat  Cbnreh  in  Waterbnrj, 
great  diflloolty  has  been  oiperUnoed  from  the  imperfection  of  its  record:^  during 
the  earlier  years  of  ita  existence.  Indeed  the  history  of  the  church,  aw  here 
presented,  from  the  time  of  its  organization  to  the  year  \^'M>,  a  period  of  88 
yeartt,  ha^^  been  mainly  taken  ironi  A^.'<ucitttion  minutes,  the  records  of  neighbor- 
ing churches,  and  the  personal  recollections  of  thoae  wlio  adU  snrHve. 

In  the  jear  1791,  Noremlwr  7th,  a  nmnbor  of  tlie  members  of  the  ancient 
ohnroh  of  WaUingford,  (now  Meriden,)  were  organized  into  a  distinct  iKNly, 
Itnown  for  a  time  as  the  Second  Baptist  church  in  WaUingford.  Among  this 
number  wero  Zena.«  Brockett,  David  Frort  and  Isaac  Tcrrdl,  the  finit  Baptists  in 
the  town  of  Walerbury.*  For  several  years  it  was  their  cu.stom,  and  the  cusitom  of 
those  afterwards  associated  with  them,  to  visit  the  church  of  their  adoption  at 
least  mice  every  month,  and  this  jonney,  a  distance  «rf  twelre  miles,  they  usualty 
performed  on  foot  By  these  bretlnren,  mtetings  were  estaMished  and  conducted 
in  the  town  of  "Waterbury,  and  in  18(iS,  November  loth,  a  church  was  orpanized 
of  tho<<e  previously  connected  with  the  Second  Baptist  churcli  in  \Viilliii;.'rot(l. 
Preeminent  in  thi.s  movement  were  the  brethren  whose  names  are  almve 
recorded  ;  men  who  deserve  a  cherished  and  honored  memory  as  leaders  of  the 
Infant  chnreli,  and  as  Christians  of  tried  integrity  of  character  and  purity  of  life. 
Poor  in  the  riches  of  this  werid,  but  rich  in  those  graces  that  find  fitror  with 
God,  this  little  band  njaintnined  for  twelve  years,  with  most  unwavering  fidelity, 
their  regular  moptintrs  without  a  settled  pastor.  And  their  humble  labors  were 
ble.s,sed  in  a  pniilual  but  uiiintcrnipf nl  prowth.  Duriiip  this  period  thcv  were 
favored  from  time  to  time  niih  the  udiuinLstration  of  the  ordinances  by  eiders 
gamnel  MUler  and  Daniel  WUdman,  and  oocarionally  by  elders  Betldck  iad 
Fuller. 


•  There  were  BAptl^ta  In  Wutrrbnry  |«t  JSnclely  who  bo'e  llxf*,  nn  parly  n*  n«  nj  prum  by 
papers  of  that  date  relating  tj  >'armlngbur>-'»  i>eUtloo  to  Ui«  AMcmbiy  for  »uck-t>  prtrtlcfca. 
— B.  B. 


654 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATESBUBT. 


In  the  imlumn  of  1F15,  brethren  Sunmcl  Fottor  and  Jcffe  Frost  wore  ordained 
CO-pi  Ptors  of  the  ihurili.  During  tluK  joii.t  puhloiatc  tlic  church  orjoytdiin  un- 
VBUaI  degree  of  peace  and  hariuony,  and  many  a  .«ea<ion  occurred  which  made  the 
place  of  wonhip  verilj  the  hovae  of  God  and  gate  of  heaTon. 

In  1817,  Kov.  ISUi,  the  ohurch,  which  had  attauied  a  membeidtip  of  neaily  one 
hundred,  waa  divided  by  the  formation  of  the  Woodbridge  and  Jvalem  church.  For 
this  purpft-ip  ("i  t  nicnibors  wore  disniissod,  einhnu'iJip  tlioso  rersidinp  in  the  southern 
part  of  Wiitorbury,  (now  Naiitraltick,)  and  the  adjoining  towns  of  Woodbridge 
(Bethany)  and  Ilanidon,  loavin-;  but  about  thirty  with  the  original  church,  and 
these  hi  temporal  pro^iperity  by  oo  mcana  the  moat  fitvored.  Elder  flamoel  Potter 
took  charge  of  the  new  ehnrch,  while  Elder  Jeaie  Froat  remidned  with  the  old.* 

Soon  after  the  constitution  of  the  Woodbridge  and  Salem  church,  the  c  inn  chin 
Watorbury  erected  a  houMi*  of  worship  in  the  nortlicastern  section  of  the  town, 
w  hich  they  continued  to  occupy  until  the  completion  of  their  present  bouse  in 
1835. 

In  the  year  18Sf ,  Elder  Jeeae  t^oat*  fheir  paator,  waa  removed  by  death.  The 
doty  of  leading  the  church  then  derohred  upon  Dea.  Timothy  Portpr,  who  had 
been  called  by  them  to  accept  licensure  about  a  year  previouf,  and  who,  from  tliis 
time  till  18^5,  a  period  of  about  ri  :;ht  yearfi,  gratuitously  mlniatered  unto  them  and 

performed  tlie  varioiis  (bitics  of  the  piii^torftte. 

During  tlii^  period,  the  prosperity  of  the  church  was  constant  and  marked. 
Bach  year  witneaied  accesrione  to  the  nnraber  of  eonverta  by  baptiam.  In  1828, 
a  special  reflreehing  waa  ei^oyed,  when  twenty-three  were  baptised ;  and  another 

in  1831,  when  thirteen  were  in  liife  manner  added  to  the  church.  So  marked  at 
this  time  was  their  spiritual  prosperity,  n-s  evinced  by  union  and  fellowship,  a«  well 
a.s  in  tlicir  a-^si  niblies  whore  tliey  were  wont  to  meet,  that  many  of  the  old  disciples 
still  look  back  u  iili  carnc^^  hinjn^ing  for  a  return  of  the  former  days.  The  ordinances 
were  admmlstered  during  thit>  period  by  Elder  L  Atkina  and  Elder  Sannei 
Miller,  and  after  hia  death  by  Elder  William  Bentley. 

The  church  now  began  to  suffer  much  from  the  inconveniences  and  inadequacy  of 
their  h<ni<e  of  worsliip.  This,  though  located  two  and  a  half  miles  from  the  centre 
of  population,  wilii  1m  lu  lies  only  for  scat.s,  and  no  means  of  warniinc  in  winter,  had 
yet  become  too  tftruitcned  for  their  numberti,  so  that  their  meeliiig^  were  not  un- 
freqnently  held  In  the  neighboring  groves.  Finally,  after  anxiova  and  matnre  de- 
liberation, they  decided  to  Meet  a  new  houae  of  worahip  in  the  center  of  the  town. 
This  waa  known  to  be  a  great  undertaking,  but  they  felt  that  the  interests  of  the 
cause  demanded  the  effort,  and  they  determined  cheerfully  to  incur  the  burden. 
They  entered  into  a  written  compact  to  subject  .themselves  to  a  voluntary  assesa* 


*  Tbe  Woodbridge  and  Salem  church,  dow  extinct^  seeoM  to  detenre  in  thU  cotiaectioa  % 
paatlng  ontte*.  After  the  tspanktloii,  for  sis  yssn  It  sajofad  a  eootlmul  naaltautton  «f  ike 

Divine  Presence,  sothwt  from  ulvty  It  increased  to  one  tnindrei!  ami  flfi<  cH  riK  inbers.  In  ls2G.  itt 
number  waa  reduced  to  eigbljr-eight.  In  lb2i^9,  God's  pretence  wu  again  manlfett,  and  forty* 
§w  ware  added  by  bapllsn,  wuSOng  alwat  mm  hmdrvd  and  tMrtj  aetoal  nrabevs.  Wnm 
fMs  psriod  the  nnrntver  cradually  declined,  till  In  I^^tS  the  churcti  ceMsed  to  he  ri<rA^'itized  ni  a 
awnlicf  of  the  Aaaoclatloa.  Their  pastor,  I-  Ider  Samuel  I'otter.  waa  removed  by  death  in  I6S:^ 
See.  fl.  Thvr  were  then  fii>r  s  time  led  bj  IMvr  IHivM  Bra^ey,  sad  eaally,  after  an  IntviTSl 

of  Konic  jrarn.  hy  Fldrf  .Jacob  Slfijirr,  thrlr  Iwft  pastor.  S^nie  of  the  members  afterwards 
united  with  the  church  in  Waterburjr,  and  aome  itill  remain  scattered  over  ibe  mountains  and 
lhrs«gbtbevallsfs. 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


APFUfDIZ. 


mcnt,  the  basis  of  which  hliould  ho  the  prand  list  of  the  town,  npportioned  by  a 
comiuitioo  appointed  from  tlu-ir  own  niinibcr.  In  case  any  nu'iiibrr  should  feel 
aggrieved,  Le  uiglit  iippvul  lu  another  cotnuiiUec  taken  liom  ihe  church,  and 
fiiMlIj  to  one  selected  from  a  ncighboriog  charcb.  Upon  this  huoA,  they  went 
forward  and  ereeted  their  preeent  honee  of  worship,  at  a  coct  of  aboat  $6,900, 
eompleting  it  in  the  year  18S5.  Rev.  Ruffell  Jennings  was  then  choeeu  their 
pastor,  whose  accpptal)Ie  labors  were  bles^(•d  in  a  l:ir;.M  ly  inorca.'-ed  coiij^repition, 
and  by  two  tJj»ecial  outpourings  of  the  i»'pirit  in  tlse  uurs  ]>;.6  and  ls;>,  in  which 
forty  were  baptized,  lie  resigned  in  lbU8,  and  the  church  was  supplied  during 
the  jear  following  by  Rev.  E.  Savuge  and  Rev.  W.  RtmnlL 

In  1889,  Rev.  A.  D.  Watroue  succeeded  to  the  pajitorate,  during  whoee  nihiiB> 
tratioa  eighty-one  were  baptized.  He  wa.*  succeeded  by  Rev.  W.  S.  Smith  in 
1810,  who  remained  only  a  few  nionlhs.  l  ioni  184()  to  1844,  the  ihureh  wa« 
without  a  [lastor.  The  eoiigrcf^ation,  however,  was  regularly  hupplied  with  the 
preaching  uf  the  Word  by  iiev.  G.  Allen  and  Kev.  I.  Atkins.  U  Ha«  during  this 
period  that  occorred  thoie  dark  daye  of  tbdr  hiatory  which  lo  aeTerely  tri«d  (heir 
hearta  and  fiUtli.  A  lai|pe  debt  liad  remained  upon  thdr  house  at  the  time  of  iia  com* 
pletion.  Still  the  debt  was  not  unexpected.  But  soon  after  the  church  waafiniahed, 
occurred  the  great  financial  crisis  of  l>i;57,  from  whose  di^a8trou.s  influence  no 
section  of  the  country  was  exempt,  and  whose  shock  w;i>  especially  tell  by  the 
brethren  ol  Waterbury  who  had  struck  haud:^  lor  building  the  houj^e  of  (>od.  Still 
they  struggled  on  as  best  they  could  noder  the  heavy  burden,  until  the  yeas  1848 
and  *44.  And  it  was  only  when  they  luul  voluntarily  submitted  to  three  assess- 
ments, each  of  170  emits  upon  the  dollar  of  the  grand  It8t  of  the  town,  (so  that  the 
asscRsnients  had  amounted  to  more  ban  :?'.'5fMipon  every  ;?l(>i-iO  listtd,  and  over  $WKI 
for  every  person  w  hose  head  uloiic  ^l^ud  in  the  ; )  it  was  oidy  when  they  had  ^een 
trusted  ouca  prove  faUe  and  the  tailhlul  well  nigh  crushed,  their  Iioum:  of  worship 
attached  by  fraudulent  ehtims,  and  closed  for  an  entire  year  except  fhmi  sun  to 
sun  on  the  Sabbath,  to  save  it  fh>m  passing  legally  from  their  hands;  it  was 
only  when  they  had  been  driven  to  the  Legislature  lor  a  *'  Confirming  Act,"  and 
to  the  Courts  of  Chancery  for  the  vindication  of  their  rights;  it  was  only  after  a 
scries  of  struggles  and  sacrifices  of  this  cliaracter,  l-y  which  lln  ir  rc.-uuices  had 
become  exhausted  and  their  strength  and  number!*  wasted,  that  they  resolved  to 
appeal  to  neighboriog  churches  for  ssristance,  as  their  only  remaining  hope. 
That  assistance  was  cheerfully  and  liberally  granted.  About  |7iH)  were  thus 
received,  by  wliich,  In  addition  to  a  fourth  subttcription  in  the  church,  nearly 
equal  to  cai  h  of  the  preceding  three,  they  became  in  1847  entirely  free  from 
pecuniary  embarrassment. 

In  1844,  Rev.  A.  Darrow  waa  called  to  the  pastorate,  who  continued  to  fulfill 
its  duties  till  1847.  In  1846  the  church  wss  revived,  and  nineteen  added  by  bap> 
tism  through  his  labors.  In  October,  1847,  Rev.  K.  1L  Perkbis  becsme  pastor  of 
the  church,  and  continued  to  labor  with  great  aci  eptance  for  fix  years.  During 
his  labors,  the  nieaiis  and  influence  of  the  church  were  greatly  ext«  i;(]<  d,  and 
forty-one  were  athlcd  to  it  by  baptij^m.  He  roignid  in  Apiil,  Ih.'i.^.  ami  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Joseph  A.  liailey,  with  whose  labors  the  church  is  sidl  la\urcd. 
In  him  the  church  is  now  most  happily  united,  and  through  him  has  been  greatly 
prospered,  both  in  a  large  increase  to  the  congregation  and  the  addition  by  l»ap* 
tiam  of  forty -seven  to  the  number  of  its  members.  The  present  number  of 
members  is  two  hundred  and  thirty<ono. 


556 


HI8T0BT  OF  WATBBBUBT. 


THE  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  IN  WATERBURY. 

Of  the  early  history  of  Methodism  in  Wutcrbury,  but  little  is  now  known.  It 
U  ronieiulicred,  however,  by  smin'  now  living,  that  as  early  a«  the  year  17y6  there 
were  a  few  of  tliU  thea  dei4})i>t^'cl  pcr.^uasioo  residing  in  diRerent  parts  of  tbo 
town,  mosUy  near  what  ia  now  ita  eaateiij  boundary.  Bishop  Aabarjr,  In  bis 
JoonuU,  under  date  of  Sept.  SSd,  HM,  mentiona  paasing  on  hia  way  from  East 
Hartford  to  Stratford,  through  Waterbury,  Salem  and  Oxford,  and  of  preaching 
at  Waicrbury  in  the  "Sepanite  meeting  house.**  The  location  of  this  meeting 
house  the  writer  hatt  not  been  able  to  ascertain. 

Again,  the  Bitshop,  recording  h'us  attendance  at  a  quarterly  meeting  at  Litch* 
field,  Sunday,  Aug.  Sd,  1800,  says :  **  On  Sunday  morning  we  had  a  living  lore  feast 
Some  from  Waterbnry  were  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord.**  The  names  of 
those  fervent  Christians  so  worthy  of  special  notice  are  not  handed  down  to  u.s.  A 
"c!.i~-^"  was  formed  of  those  residiii;.'  in  the  east  part  of  the  town,  but  such  of 
it»  members  as  were  not  scattered  bv  removal  or  death  afterward  united  with  a 

» 

little  society  organized  in  Prospect. 

The  present  Sodety  was  oiganiaed  in  the  summer  of  1815,  at  the  house  9S 
James  Wheeler,  about  half  a  mile  above  Waterville,  by  the  Rev.  Samuel  Cochran, 

then  preacher  in  charge  of  the  Litchfield  Circuit.  It  conslnted  of  only  five  per- 
son'', viz:  James  Wheeler  and  wife,  Samuel  U.  Hickox  and  wife,  and  Azuba  Tut- 
tle.  The  little  band  held  their  meetinf;^s  during  the  first  year  at  the  sanie  hou!*e, 
having  preaching  ouce  iu  two  weeka  on  Tucisday  evenings.  Reverends  Billy 
Bibbard  and  Smith  Dayton  were  colleagues  with  Rev.  Samuel  Cochran  at  that 
time,  and  Rev.  Nathan  Bangs  was  presiding  elder  of  the  Rhlnebeck  District,  to 
whieh  Litchfield  Circuit  then  belonged.  They  afterward  held  meetings  at  the 
house  of  David  Wli.'cliT,  n  little  east  of  Waterville  at  *' Pine  Hole,"  and  in  the 
east  center  school  house  which  stood  near  what  is  now  the  northerly  point  of 
Union  Square.  Being  '*  voted  out"  of  the  school  houiw,  their  ark  found  for  sev- 
eral years  a  welcome  resting  (dace  in  the  dwelling  of  Widow  Mary  Peek,  a 
**  mother  In  Israel,**  whose  memory  will  long  be  gratefully  cherished  in  tiie  church 
she  loved.    Her  dwelling  was  the  low  red  house  still  standing  on  East  Main  street, 

near  the  Pin  Factory. 

Mrt'tinfj-t  were  alr-o  held  occasionally  at  the  residences  of  Widow  David  Wheeler 
at  Pine  Hole,  Mr.  Timothy  iiall  at  Buckh  Hill,  &c.  Still  later  a  room  wa.s  obtain- 
ed for  a  time  in  the  Franklin  House,  and  for  a  year  or  two  precedbg  the  erectl<m 
of  their  first  house  of  worship,  meetings  were  held  in  tiie  academy,  and  oc- 
casionally in  the  old  school  boose,  the  doors  uf  wliich  were  agdn opened.  During 
the  whole  of  this  period  there  was  no  Sabl).ith  preaohin<;,  except  oecasioiially, 
when  a  lo  al  preaclier  co'il  1  be  obtained.  The  circuit  preachers  came  around 
once  in  two  weeks  preaching  ou  week  day  evenings. 

Thu4  for  dxteen  years  the  little  society  struggled  on,  unpopular  with  men,  but 
ei|}oyhig  the  favor  of  Ood;  poor  In  this  world's  goods,  but  rich  in  fiuth ;  at  no 
time  numbering  more  than  twenty  or  thirty  members,  and  without  a  convenient 
place  of  worship  ;  yet  claimin?:  the  promise  of  our  Lord,  (and  often  reali/iiii:  its 
ftillillinent,)  that  "  Where  two  or  three  are  gathered  together  iu  my  name,  there 
am  I  in  the  midst  of  them.** 

But  the  sommer  and  M  of  the  year  1881  will  long  be  remembered  by  this 


APPBHMX. 


557 


and  other  churchps  of  Watorhiiry  as  a  ppapoii  of  gracious  revival,  Aironp  the 
Metiiodisto  the  work  conimciK<>d  under  the  preaching  of  Rev.  Heraan  Bang:*,  then 
preacher  in  charge  of  Derby  Circuit,  (to  which  Waterbury  belonged  firom  1829  to 
18S2,)  and  continued  with  great  power  under  hie  mintetry  and  that  of  liia  colleague, 
Bev.  Daniel  Smith,  they  Tinting  Waterbury  often  during  the  revival.  Many  were 
added  unto  the  Lord,  und  the  society  was  increased  from  Icm  than  thirty  in  num* 
ber  to  nbont  one  hundred.  Sucl»  an  accewion  rendered  a  more  commodious 
place  of  wortiliip  nccei<(iary,  and  in  January,  1832,  it  was  decided  to  build  a  meet- 
ing house  &tly  feet  long  and  thirty-six  feet  wide.  This  building  still  stands  on  the 
comer  of  Union  square  and  Scovill  street.  It  was  completed  at  a  cost  of  about 
$2,7(10,  and  was  dedicated  April  27th,  I8S8,  Dr.  Wilbur  Fiske  preaching  the  dedi- 
cation  sermon.  From  this  date  the  church  was  favored  with  regularly  stationed 
proacher-j,  and  thou<rh  Imrdoiied  with  a  heavy  Av\<i  und  increasod  cxpeniies,  and 
often  weakened  by  the  removal  of  its  members,  cominued,  under  the  blessing  of 
Ood,  to  increase  in  numbers  and  prosperity.  Its  membership  had  increased  in 
1840  to  146,  in  1845  to  186,  and  in  1862  to  246. 

During  the  year  Ust  mentioned,  finding  enlarged  accoromodationa  again  neces- 
sary, it  was  ref^nlved  to  erect  the  present  tasteful  and  commodious  edifice.  It  is 
elij^iljly  located  on  East  Main  street,  a  few  rods  from  Center  square.  It  is  7r>  fret 
deep  by  55  feet  in  width,  Ls  built  of  biick,  and  coi^t  with  the  lot  on  which 
it  stand:*  about  It  was  dedicated  March  Ist,  1854.   Much  credit  is  due 

Rev.  N.  Mead,  preacher  in  charge  at  the  time  the  building  waa  commenced,  for 
the  good  judgment  and  taste  with  whidi  it  was  located  and  planned,  and  for  the 
financial  ability  displayed  in  necuring  the  funds  for  its  erection. 

The  church  now  numbers  about  260  members,  has  a  well  orpanized  Sunday 
school,  comprising  35  officern  and  teachers  and  over  200  scholarii,  and  althot:f;h 
StUl  unburdened  with  wealth  has  reason  to  anticipate  an  increatiingly  prosperous 
future.  It  Is  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rer.  J.  fi.  Ferry,  D.  D.,  one  of  the  ablest 
ministers  of  the  New  York  East  Conference. 


Names  or  FasACiiRRs  sincr  1833. 


u 
u 
t( 


1833,  Rev. 

1834,  «» 
1885, 
1886, 
1887, 
1888, 
1839-10,  " 
1841-42,  " 
1843, 
1844, 
1846, 
1848, 


(I 
(t 
tt 

M 


Davis  Stocking, 

W.  S.  Smith, 

Sauford  Washburn, 

H.  D.  OoesUng, 

Wm.  McKendree  Bangs, 

Lorin  Clark, 

Chas.  Chittenden, 

Wm.  C.  Iloyt, 

Aaron  S.  Uill, 

Wm.  Gay, 

Moses  Blydenburgh, 

Ebeneser  O.  Beers  and 

Elias  Gilbert,  circuit 


preachers,  (once  a  month,)  and  Rev. 
Joseph  Smith  and  Rev.  Larmon  \V. 
Abbott,  local  preachers,  (the  balance 
of  the  thne.) 
1847,  Same  as  1846,  excepting  Rev.  P. 
W.  Siaer,  la  place  of  Rev.  B.  O. 
Becn«, 

184><,      Rev.  Seneca  Howland, 
18  4S»-50,  "    Ira  .\.bbott. 

Nathaniel  Mead, 
Benj.  Pilsbury, 
Thomas  G.  Osbom, 
James  H.  Perry,  D.  D. 


1851-2,  " 
1858-51,  ** 
1866-6, 
1867, 


ft 


558 


BI8T0BT  01*  WATKBBUBT* 


CATUOLiC  CHURCH  OF  WATERBURY. 

Previous  to  ISn.'),  tlioro  were  but  few  Catholics  in  Watcrburv,  who  were  visited 
occHsionally  from  New  Haven  by  Rev,  Jainca  McDormod,  Catholic  pjistor  in  that 
city.  Iq  1837,  Rev.  James  Smith,  nlso  of  New  Haven,  succeeded  Futher  McDer- 
moi  In  the  vUtatloa  of  the  dUtriet.  The  Utter  coatinaed  tosapsrintenlthe 
afEUra  of  tbe  CAthoUea  till  the  year  1846,  when  be  was  replaced  hj  Rev.  Charlei 
O'Reilly,  who,  however,  renudued  but  three  months.  As  yet  there  bad  been  no 
Catholic  I'lcrfryman  permanently  located  in  Wutcrhiiry.  Tlie  oonprefjaflon  was 
too  small  to  support  a  roguhr  pastor,  but  liaviuf^  itu  roasod  in  1S47  to  about  one 
hundred,  the  Rev.  Michael  O'Neill  was  permanently  settled  there  by  Dr.  Tyler,  the 
bishop  of  the  diocese. 

The  aerrioes  of  the  Catholic  church  were  celebrated  for  the  first  time  in  Water- 
bury  in  a  smill  home  in  the  east  pirl  of  the  city,  owned  and  occupied  bjr  Mr. 
Michael  Nevil,  who  wa-<  the  first  C  itliolii.'  who  settled  in  the  city.  This  was  in 
In  this  small  licne,  sorvii-o  was  held  foreif^ht  yoar-J,  when  it  lit  iiii;  nofca- 
sary  to  o!)taiii  a  larger  apartment,  the  school-house  in  the  Gaylord  riain  district 
was  kindly  and  gratuitously  olbrad  by  the  then  committee.  Here  the  Catholicf 
conUnued  to  worship  for  more  than  a  year,  when,  becoming  too  nuroerons  to  be 
aecommodated  there,  they  rented  "  Washiiiirtou  Hall "  for  the  purpose  of  divino 
Borvico.  Ill  1  s  IT,  they  purchased  the  old  Episcopal  cluirch.  From  tlii-- date  to 
the  pti'sont  ti;iio,  they  h  ivc  contitjurd  to  iiiLToase  in  iniinbers,  being  ut  present  a 
congregation  of  nearly  four  thous;ind,  including  children. 

A  beantifttl  ohnrch  Is  now  In  course  of  erection  for  tbe  nse  of  the  Catholics. 
The  stylo  is  the  early  Christian  Gothic  architecture  of  the  twelfth  century.    It  Is 
.  of  briclc,  and  will  be  richly  ornamented  m  the  interior.    The  pro1>abIe  cost  Is 

The  present  and  second  pnstor  of  Waterhury  is  the  Rev.  T.  F.  Ilendrirken.  It 
is  strange  that  all  thocic  who  viciited  \V  uterbury  for  mi&»ionary  purposes  are  still 
living. 

The  rapid  increase  of  tbe  Catholics  of  Waterbnry  is  attributed  by  tbe  Cathofies 
tbemsehrea,  as  nueb  to  the  known  kindness  and.  urbanity  of  the  native  citlsenf 
towards  the  stranger,  as  fo  the  extensive  manufacturing  establishments  whldi 
require  their  labor. 

THE  SECOND  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH. 

It  W!^  organized  in  April,  1852,  with  fifty  members.  Its  orpnnizntion  nt  that 
tiruf^  rt'-iiilted  from  the  conviction,  wliich  for  two  years  had  Im'cu  entt  rtaiiied  by 
the  members  of  the  First  Cougregatioual  church,  that  the  rapidly  increasing  pop- 
ulation of  the  phwe  demanded  for  that  portion  of  It  which  might  be  of  Congrega- 
tional sentiments  more  exteni^ve  acoommodaUona  for  public  worahip  than  were 
afforded  by  the  house  of  worship  of  the  First  society. 

In  April,  1855,  a  new  and  commodious  house  of  worship,  built  by  the  Second 
society,  was  co'isocrated  to  the  muue  and  service  of  God.  Said  house  affords 
sittings  for  one  thousand  persons. 

The  number  of  names  enrolled  on  tbe  catalogue  of  the  ohnrcb  in  April,  1867, 
was  one  hundred  and  seventy,  to  seven  of  whidi  had  been  appended  the  and 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


AFPBNDIZ. 


559 


mark  wUeh  lndie»tet  deoetat,  and  to  twtnt  j<4iz  thai  whieh  Indieitea  ramovml  to 

other  cliurchcR.  Tlio  Rev.  S.  W.  Mngill  was  inauOad  paalor  of  tba  ohoroh  in 
Hay,  1862,  and  atall  occupies  the  pastoral  olBoe. 


HANUFACTURINO  IN  WATERBURT. 

The  mauiifdcturing  business  of  Watcrburj  was,  it  may  perhaps  be  said,  com* 
meneed  hj  Ueat.  Ard  Walton.  Be  made  gaos,  utting  hand  power  alone,  on 
Boeka  BQI,  during  the  RoTolntionary  war  or  soon  after,  and  famished  some,  it  is 

stated,  for  the  gOTernment.  A  few  bniss  muskets  were  manufactured  hy  him,  but 
pcrh»p'^  only  as  curio-iitiei!.  At  length,  he  removed  bis  WOrilS  to  the  place  OB 
Had  Kiver,  recently  occiiiiiet]  by  Sherman  Brf)Il^•>M. 

About  liUO,  Jauie^  Harrison,  a  brother  ul  Cupt.  Lemuel  liunison,  begun  to 
make  wooden  clocks,  by  hand,  in  the  lower  room  of  the  academy  ot  school 
bonse*  on  the  green.  Be  also  made  ahoj  heeLi,  reels,  flyers  and  apoola  for  spin- 
viag  wheels,  mndow  sashes  and  chests  of  drawers,  and  carried  on  the  joinery 
business  generally.  David  Iloadley  and  Lemuel  Porter  were  in  his  employment. 
The  first  eloi  k  wliich  I  find  charged  on  hU  bonks  is  one  to  Mjijor  Morris,  Jan.  1, 
17  VI,  at  £'4  lis.    The  second  is  one  charged  to  lie  v.  Mark  Leavenworth,  Feb.  2, 


*  The  aeademjr  referrcil  to  stood  upon  the  south  margin  of  the  present  encloied  green,  in 
fmnl  ttf  Oairt.  HarrlsoB'i.  It  was  craeteri  to  imMt  a  want  then  Ml  uf  aedoamodaHnm  for  a 

hL'ht-r  Rrnclt-  of  itchooin.  In  the  winter  of  I7'S4-^,  Jo<«'ph  B  ictcrr  •■pi-tied  a  school  f.ir  you  ig 
ladies.  Till  then,  no  other  ihan  the  common  dUti  let  schools  had  been  taught  in  the  l<iirn.  It 
flmirtahed  fur  a  time,  Nat  dM  wli  nn  vlf  •  loog.  It  serred,  hovrrcr,  ta  awaken  an  IntareaC  Id 
favor  of  education.  An  Hti'"i)pt  wasoMlds  ta  |iat  up  a  building  tor  an  aaailamjr,  hy  KuV<'4rri|it!>)n. 
The  frame  was  raised  and  the  outaMe  eovtrfld,  Ins  bars  the  means  provided  were  exhausted. 
Whtm  tbt  OBterprlar  was  ahnat  to  be  alMiid«iii«d,  flirphcn  Broaeea.  Brnjamln  Upeen,  Dr  baao 
BiMwin  MOd  J'>hn  Curtis  propimeil  in  finlsli  the  house  on  comlltion  iht-y  nM  !i  ivi-  t^n:  control 
Of  It  till  the  pwmrjr  they  shoold  advance  iras  refonded.  Thus  the  building  was  got  la  reniiaeet 
tor  eeeoiHitlnii  1b  the  fill  nf  1T85  Two  eehooli  were  then  opened,  nae  fbr  caeh  »es.  That  tor 
girls  was  under  the  care  of  Mr,  ftadpor  «l>ove  mentioned.  Di»rld  Hale,  abrother  of  Cupt.  Nnthan 
Uale  of  KevolotlAnarjr  memory,  hid  charge  of  the  boye  io  the  second  stnry.  Jeremiah  Day, 
late  prceident  of  Tile  Coffege.  aiMl  Benoet  Rmmoo  were  among  his  puplla  The  eehoida  were  tor 
a  time  very  prosperous,  the  scholars  the  flr«t  winter  numbe'lng  about  one  hundred  and  fifty. 

After  a  time  the  lehoola  ran  down,  and  the  academy,  a  two  etory  wood  buUding,  standing  In 
tfie  mldet  or  what  appeared  to  be  a  flag  swamp,  with  a  "  gambri'l  roof*'  and  a  bell  (the  first  in 
the  town)  on  the  Riimmlt,  was  removed.  It  whs  remnred  <before  the  new  mee'lng  bniiee  was 
bull!)  to  make  way  for  military  parade*,  and  placed  on  the  line  of  the  rond  just  west  of  W||. 
Ham  R.  HitcheerVe.  Here  the  apper  ro  m  vaa  uwd  for  eehonU  and  the  lower  for  re'lgtinu  and 
town  meetings.  Af  crwarda,  tliabailding  was  cut  down  o^e  story,  and  the  bell  hang  Imlde  no- 
der  the  roof.  Two  rooms  were  made  on  the  gr'>ond  flnor  separated  l>y  a  »«rlng  partition.  In 
the  west  room,  a  private  school  was  oecaslonaily  kept ;  In  the  east,  a  district  school.  Here^ 
■Mre  than  forty  yeara  ago,  the  town  Juvenllae  learned  iketr  A  B  On.  Hfra.  aa  la  i4litr  ptaoM, 

the  fpriile,  the  birch  rod,  the  dunce  black  snd  the  c!o»et  were  the  penaltlei  tor  Catllag  the 
benches,  making  up  wry  faces  and  putting  crooked  pins  in  the  master's  chair. 

Tvontr  JM**  sgst  the  eeliool  hnose  waa  ■cmoved  hack  Into  the  middle  of  the  tot  and  fitted  np 
for  dwclllnjrs,  where  It  now  stands.  The  bell  wa^  rem^rrd  to  thp  new  litone  nrademy  whli  fi  was 
erected  about  1'^,  on  the  ground  nextca«t«f  Capt.  UarrisonV  house.  It  now  hangs  high  la 
lha  UUff  of  the  **  hlnh  seboe  **  birildlnv,  where,  nnee  nort,  at  staiad  latervals,  it  |Itw  eat  Us 
anweieeBM  warnhig  ta  relaotaat  boys  and  gld4f  fills. 


560 


HI0TOBT  OV  WAIKRBUBT. 


ITHl,  at  £4.  Capt.  Samuol  Jud.l  stands  debtor  for  the  third,  Feb.  19,  1791,  £t. 
The  litst,  a  UverDer,  U  credited  with  cue  gin  sling,  7d.,  and  ouu  load  of  wood, 
21.  6d. 

A  little  after  1800,  Harriaon  eommenoed  work  In  a  little  shop  oa  the  south  idde 

of  North  Main  street,  on  the  Little  Brook.  He  constructed  a  water  wheel,  bring* 
ing  the  water  to  it  in  \o';^<  hii<l  siero'ss  the  road.  This  in  !»aiJ  to  liave  been  the 
first  water  wheel  for  driving  niaiuifaetiiriiif^  machinery  ereeted  in  Waterbiiry. 
(See  Waterbury  American.)  It  furnished  the  power  for  luaiiiug  the  pinions  and 
wheel  teeth  and  other  parte  of  the  clock.  The  lease  of  the  land  (about  M  rods) 
on  which  the  diop,  water  wheel  and  logs  alreadj  existed,  bears  the  date  of  April 
15,  18(»2    It  was  given  by  Stephen  Brouson,  and  (  \;Ht>  <i  in  seven  years. 

After  u  few  year.>«,  the  bu-ilne«n  passed  into  new  hanii.-;,  and  was  transferred  to  the 
flite  of  till'  h)wer  grist  mill,  on  M.ul  itivcr,  where  a  better  and  more  uniform  stipply 
of  water  could  be  had.  Subsequently,  Harriaon  removed  to  New  Vorlc,  where  he  died 
in  reduced  circumstances  In  its  new  location,  the  dock  business  was  carried  on, 
■omewhat  extensively,  hy  Col.  WilUam  Leavenworth.  After  the  war  of  1812, 
however,  he  beeamc  embarras>ed  and  fled  the  State.  He  subsequently  Ured  In 
Albany,  and  died  in  Xovcml>er,  1S:<S.  Hin  faetory  and  the  water  privilege,  after 
a  lonj;  iutet  Viil,  were  purchased,  in  18;?  »,  by  the  Hcerht  r  M  iinifaetiiring  Co.,  and 
converted  into  a  broadcloth  mill.  Thid  company  failed,  and  the  property  is  now 
owned  by  the  American  Suspender  Go. 

About  1810,  the  late  Mark  Leavenworth,  in  company  with  Wm.  K.  Lamson 
and  Auson  Sperry,  l.-*t,  comtnenced  the  manufacture  of  wooden  clocks  near  the 
beginning  of  the  Bucks  Hill  load,  where  lie  afterwards  ha<l  bin  boarding 
hnttse.  Subsequently,  Mr.  L.  occupied  a  ahop  upon  Uic  brook  farther  to  the  east, 
and  extended  his  business. 

Except  some  silver  buttons  that  were  made  by  Joseph  Hopkins  al  an  early 
date,  (see  p.  411,)  the  fint  metal  buttons  manufactured  in  Waterbury  are  under> 
stood  to  have  been  made  before  18iM),  of  block  tin  or  pewter,  by  Henry,  Samuel 
and  Silas  Grilley,  brothers,  on  Hunker  Hill.  The  buttons  were  cast  in  moidds, 
the  eyes  l)eing  at  first  of  the  same  material;  but  soon  an  improvement  was  intro> 
duced  and  wire  cyea  were  employed. 

The  manu&cture  of  gilt  buttons  (which  laid  the  foundation  of  the  brass  and  cop. 
per  business)  was  begun  in  1802  by  Abel  Porter,  IHudel  Cbrk,  Silas  OriUey  and  Levi 
Porter,  under  the  partnership  name  of  Abet  Porter  &  Co.  (The  manufacturing  had 
been  previously  carried  on,  to  a  limited  extent  and  with  oidy  partial  success,  In 
Attleborough,  Mass.)  Tiie  company  commenced  operations  in  a  building  still 
stiiuding  on  the  east  side  o(  South  Main,  near  the  junction  of  Meadow  street  It  took 
about  eighteen  montiu  to  get  the  budness  started.  Levi  Porter  soon  sold  out  bis 
interest  to  the  other  partners.  They  employed  eight  or  nine  hands,  all  Yankees, 
and  made  buttons  of  various  forms,  convex,  concave,  and  oval,  the  &ce  only 
being  glided.  Gold  wiu?  emi)loyed  liberally,  Fometimes  |:j  worth  being  applied  to 
a  gross,  for  which  they  obtained  as  much  as  ten  or  twelve  dollars.  Their  bra.«« 
ingots  they  carried  into  the  west  p.irt  of  Litchtield,  to  a  place  called  Bradleyville, 
where  it  was  rolled  in  an  iron  mill  The  metal  was  brought  back  in  strips  in  a 
very  rough  state,  and  passed  between  steel  rolls  two  inches  in  diameter  moved  by 
hone  power.  Thus  It  was  smoothed  and  finished.  All  the  other  work  was  done 
by  hand.  The  business  proved  profitable. 


L^iyiu^uo  Ly  Google 


7 


APPENDIX. 


561 


In  Sept  1806,  DayM  Haydn  bacaoM  a  parlMr,  and  the  oompMiy  bought  «h«  oM 
■dD  iilaoe  and  began  to  uae  water  power.  In  August,  1809,  aiaa  Grillcy  sold  out 
to  his  partners.  Two  roars  later,  the  latter  hoU  o\it  to  Leavenworth,  Hayden  h 
Scorill,  as  mentioned  in  the  biographical  notice  of  Mr.  S^  ovill,  p.  429. 

For  the  origiu  of  the  brass  bueinew,  see  the  uotice  of  Dea.  Benedict,  p.  448. 

I  ada  below  some  statiBtioal  matters  rebtlng  to  the  nuuni&etnrfaig  inteiesis  of 
Waterbofy.  Hottof  theeompnides  mentioned  are  joint  stock  eompenlefc  The 
n>t  is  notsnpiN»sed  to  be  entirely  complete,  but  it  wiD  ^rt  some  notion  of  the 

nias^nitude  of  the  manufacturing  business  of  Wuterbnry. 

Bknkokt  k  Bcrnham  MANLrACTraixa  Company;  manufacturers  ot  brahs  in 
sheets,  bnu<s  and  copper  wire,  brass  tubing,  German  silver,  kc. ;  successors  of 
others  i4)o  commenced  making  brass  In  18M,  wire  abont  IflSl'i  and  G«Ban  sDter 
hi  18M.    The  present  company  was  organised  ia  184S.    Present  capitel, 

|4oo,ooa« 

WiTKBDrRT  Brass  Company;  manufacturers  of  brass  in  sheets,  bra^u^  and  cop- 
per wire,  bra'^s  kettles,  Gerniau  silver,  kc.  The  company  was  orgaoixed  in  April, 
1845,  and  h&s  a  present  capital  of  $300,000. 

ScoriLL  UAKirraorvMiio  GoHrAirr;  mamiftctttrers  of  rolled  and  sheet  brass, 
Genosn  ellm,  pbted  metal,  brass  butts,  hinges,  Hagvenreotype  plates,  cssss,  mnt- 
tlnga,  preservers,  kc^  and  gilt  buttons.   Present  capital,  $800,000.f 

Bbown  k  Brothkrs;  organized  under  the  joint  •stork  law  in  1853;  manu- 
facturers ot  slicet  briis!*  and  (iernian  riilver,  bra<»s,  copper  and  German  silver  wire 
and  tubing,  brasH  Icettles,  copper  rivets  and  burrs.    Capital,  |$-iOO,OUO. 

Holmes,  Bwmjk  HATnm.  The  company  mannftetnres  brass,  Oenoan  iflver, 
plated  metal,  daguerreotype  plates,  mattings  and  preeenrers,  copper  and  German 
fflver  wire,      and  was  organised  Feb.  1858.    It  has  a  capital  of  |380,ooo. 

The  five  brass  and  copper  companies  named  in  the  preceding  list,  each  owning 
a  first  class  mill,  (the  Watcrbury  Brass  Company  owns  two  mills.)  have  a  capital 
of  f  1,530,000 i  employ  on  an  average  775  hands;  pay  in  wages  $275,000  per 
annum ;  consume  8,600  tons  of  cos!  per  annun,  and  prodnoe  about  $2,550,000 
worth  ot  Bwmnfactnred  goods  per  annnm. 

AMsniCAlt  Put  COMPAMY  ;  manufacturers  of  pIns  and  hoolcs  and  eyes ;  was  orgStt- 
iaedhilSdd.  Present  capital,  $l<¥>,ooo.  The  malcing  of  hooks  and  eyes  was 
commenced  in  Waterbury  in  April,  18;Hi,  by  Brown  A:  Elton. 

Uattatuck  MANcrACTCRiNQ  CoiitPA>Y.  It  was  organized  in  1847.  The  compa- 
ny made  cloth  buttons  till  1852.  It  then  began  the  manufacture  of  lamp  tubes, 
and  afkerwards  of  rilTer  and  German  sUrer  thimbles,  brsss  femles,  ombraUa  and 
parssol  furniture,  kc.   It  employs  $10,000  capitaL 

Watkrbuby  Hook  and  Eyk  Company  ;  manufacturers  of  hooks  and  eyes,  gilt 
brass  cornice ■»  and  curtain  bands,  brans  curtain  fixtures,  copper  rivets,  bra^s  nails  and 
Other  small  brass  wares.  The  company  was  organized  in  184'.^  and  has  a  capital 
of  $Q5,000.  At  present  it  is  donbtfol  whether  curtain  cornices  can  be  made  with 
aproAt  hi  this  country,  no  attempt  hitherto  made  having  snooeeded.  There  Is 


•  For  a  more  particular  )i<-couDt  of  the  oricfin  oad  UslMf     the  kestoMi  «f  tUs  onmpSSJ.  SSC 
llM  bkf  rapUcol  aoUca  of  Aaron  B«o«dlet,  pof*  448. 
t  Wot  a  botc  yartkalar  aeeoaat  of  tb*  ertsia  and  kMary  of  lbs  boshMSi  of  lUeoenpaay.aoo 
MagrapMoal  efcsKili  of  J.  M.  L.  aoorMI,  p*icc  429. 

86 


562  HISTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBY. 

reMoiMbto  ground  to  hope,  however,  that  the  Wfttetbury  Hook  and  Bye  Company 
win  be  taceeasflil. 

Watkrbort  Bdttox  Compavt;  manufacturers  of  metal  buttons.  It  was  organ- 
ized in  1849,  hut  tlio  hiisincse  was  commenced  in  1824,  by  A.  Benediotand  othen. 
It  employn  $15,000  ca)*itul. 

Lame  Ham  kacti  kinu  Compant  ;  was  orgamzcd  in  January,  185U,  and  makea 
bnttoi^^.    CapiUl,  $'iO,UOO. 

WannavRT  Kmrnwo  CoMPAinr;  mannfitctsrers  of  shirts,  drawers,  and  half 
hose ;  was  organised  in  18iH).  It  commenced  with  a  caintal  of  $100,000,  but  now 
employB  $20<),(Xh). 

Waterdtky  .Ikwf.iky  Company;  manufucturrrs  of  buttons,  plaleii  ware,  fork.x, 
spooao,  butler  knives,  &c. ;  uIho,  belt  clu^pb  und  oilier  brasys  good^  \  was  organized 
in  1861.   I^resent  capiul,  $30,000. 

Blaeb  a  Jobm 80H ;  manniketurerB  of  hardened  steel  rolls,  machinery  to  order, 
hair  pins,  liTCts,  ke, ;  was  organized  Feb.  1852.   Present  capital,  $16,0(X). 

Oaktillk  Company  ;  wns  organi7.ed  in  1862,  and  mantt&ctures  solid  headed 
pinR.    Its  present  capital  in  $75,im)o. 

William  R.  Hitchcock  k  Company.  The  company  was  organized  in  1852,  and 
manufactures  covered  buttons  and  hooln  and  eyes.  The  budness  (that  of  making 
ooTered  buttons)  was  commenced  In  1887,  by  Wm.  R.  ntobcock,  J.  M.  L.  SeoTill  and 
W.  H.  BcotQI,  nnder  the  name  of  W.  R.  Hitchcock  k  Co.  The  present  capital  is 

$86,ooa 

American  Ring  Company.  The  conipaiiy  was  oi  jijani/ed  in  1852;  manufactures 
hollow  rings  from  bra88  and  tin,  naddle,  barueiss  and  carriage  hardware,  and  buttons 
of  all  Unds;  has  a  capital  of  $16,000. 

B.  Bottimoii  k  SoM.  The  company  was  organised  In  1852;  makes  dotk  but- 
tons and  has  a  capita]  of  $4,000. 

Watrrdurt  BncKLE  Company;  organized  1853;  manufiwtores  bnckleS|  belt 
clsApn,  steel  ornaments,  &c.    Present  capital,  $2'.', '.'00. 

Watkrhcry  Gar  Liqiit  Company  ;  organized  in  1854  ;  furnishes  gas  from  coaL 
Capital,  $100,<KM) ;  tons  of  coal  consumed  per  annum,  about  600. 

F.  M.  Pbuimi  k  CoMPairr ;  organised  hi  1854;  manu&ctnrers  of  ivory  and 
Bleri  earriage  trimmings,  and  fine  peari  coat  and  Test  buttons.  Present  capital, 
$20,000. 

CiiARi.Rs  W.  JonNBON.  The  eompanj  was  organised  in  1866,  and  prodnoes 
machinery  of  all  kinds.    Prct>ent  capital,  $3,000. 

H.  Matthews  ;  bought  out  the  Hope  Manufacturing  Company  in  1868,  and 
nannlhetnres  carriage  and  bamess  trimmings. 

Amkbioaii  SvaPBRDBB  Compaitt;  present  organiaation  in  Jan.  1857;  manu- 
iacturera  of  suspenders.  The  bu^incM  was  commenced  by  the  Hotchkiss  k  Herri* 
man  Manufacturing  Company,  in  1843.    Present  capital,  *lSo,nt>o. 

Farrki.  Foundry  and  Machink  Company  ;  nittnufucturers  of  iron  and  brass  cast- 
ings, machinery,  heavy  mill  gearing,  shafts,  &c.  The  company  was  organised  in 
1867,  and  hss  a  capital  of  $40,000.  The  bnsbess  was  commenced  by  "  The 
Fomidry  CSompany,**  In  1851. 

Watkrhury  Clock  Company;  mannfkctorete  of  docks  and  time  ^eees;  organ- 
ised in  1857  ;  cap  tal,  *r,o,ooo. 

American  Flask  and  Cap  Company  ;  manufacturers  of  powder  flasks,  shot  belts, 
shot  pouches,  gun  wads,  percussion  caps,  dram  flasks,  measuring  tapes,  ko.  The 
eonpany  was  organised  in  April,  1867,  and  has  a  capital  of  $125,000. 


APnonMX. 


568 


Union  Knitting  Coxpant;  manufacturers  of  woolen  wrappers,  drawers,  4cc., 
bftTliig  ft  capiul  of  $50,000. 

Ctrr  M AXorACTVMiio  Comfamt;  msnnlSMtiiren  of  patent  lamp  tops,  lamp  tnbct, 
fto.,  baring  a  capital  of  $10,000. 

Hatdbn  ManvFACnnuMa  CokpairT;  metal  button  makan,  ke.,  baving  a  capttal 

of  $8,()00. 

D.  li.  HcRD.  lie  manufacturp8  button  eyes,  button  backs,  window  blinds,  sta- 
ples, iic,  and  employs  a  capital  uf  $li),o<K). 

B.  H.  Home.  He  manit&cttirea  pocket  cntlerj,  and  employi  a  capital  of 
$50,000. 

L.  PitiTCHARD.   He  makes  buttons,  and  employs  a  capital  of  $10,000. 

All  the  companies  and  huiinc3.s  firm«  above  named,  have  an  aggregate  capital 
of  about  ^'2,908, oiK);  employ  on  an  average  about  2,730  bands  ;  pay  in  wages,  per 
annum,  about  60,000;  consume  annually  about  7,600  tons  of  bard  coal,  and 
manniacture  goods  to  the  amoont  of  abont  $4,900,000  per  year. 


Walerbnry  belonged  to  Hartford  Gonnty  tiU  Hay,  1788,  when  it  wai  annexed 
to  New  Haven  County. 

TiU  Oct.  1719,  the  probate  bu-ine«s  of  Waterbury  was  done  in  the  Coonty 
Court  of  Hartford.  At  that  time,  the  Woodbury  District  was  formed  and  Water- 
bury  annexed  to  it.  In  May,  1779,  Waterbury  was  made  into  a  distinct  district. 
The  district  now  comprehends  Waterbury,  Wolcott,  Middlebury  and  Naugatuck. 
Flymonth  was  made  a  new  ^strict  in.  1888,  and  Watertown  In  1884.  Froepeet  at 
preaent  belongs  to  the  Cheshire  district,  and  Oxford  Is  a  distiiefe  by  ItsdC 

JCDOXS  or  PaOBATK  oj'  the  Dittrict  of  Waterburtf^  and  the  daict  of  their 

Appointment. 

1779,   Joseph  Hopkins.  1848,   Alfred  Blackman. 

1801,  John  Kingsbury.  1844,  Norton  J.  BoeL 

1880^  jroelHuunan.  1848,  WUbrd  Speoeer. 

1840,  Norton  J.  BoeL  1847,  Norton  J.  BueL 

1842,    John  Peck. 
Since  1849,  the  Probate  judges  have  been  chosen  by  the  people. 


BiooBDBBi  or  TdwH  CUwn  9f 

Jthn  Stanley. 

16dn,  Thomas  Judd,  Jr. 

1709,  Dea.  Thomas  Judd. 

1712,  John  Hopkins. 

1718,  John  Judd. 

1717,  William  Judd. 

1781,  John  Southmayd. 
1755,  Thomas  Clark. 
1764,  Ezra  Bronson. 

1782,  Michael  Bronson. 
1784,  Asahel  Clark. 


1787,  William  LeaTonvorth. 

1793,  John  Kingsbury. 

1804,  Abner  Johnson. 

1806,  Ashley  Scott. 

1818,  John  Kingsbury. 

1817,  Ashley  Scott 

1831.  Elisba  &  ▲bemethy. 

1837,  Willanl  Spencer. 

1839,  Charles  Scott. 

1840,  Norton  J.  Buel. 

1841,  8QiOMonB.Hinor. 


564 


HI8IOBT  OF  WATl 


WATEBBinrr  Luna. 


Tear. 


1690, 

1691, 
1692, 
1693, 
1694, 
1695, 
1696. 
1697, 
1698, 
1699, 
1700, 
1701, 
1702, 
1703, 
1704, 
170A, 
1706, 
1707, 
1708, 
1709, 
1710, 
1911, 
1712, 
1718, 
1714, 
1716, 
1716, 
1717, 
1718, 
1719, 
1790, 
1721, 
1722, 
17SS, 
1724, 
1725, 
1726, 
1727, 
1788, 
1729, 
1730, 
1781, 
178S, 
1733, 
1784, 
1786, 
1788^ 
1787, 
1738, 


37, 
43, 
48, 
46, 
48, 

40l 
42, 
49, 
47, 
48, 
60, 
62, 
67, 
62, 
62, 
56, 
49, 
80. 


£1,898. 
1,859. 
1,640. 
1,680. 
1,664. 

1,662. 
1,640. 
1,742. 
1,700. 
1,871. 
1,994. 
2,060. 
2,145. 
2,261. 
2,047. 
2,165, 
1,968. 
2,108. 
2,119. 
2,159. 

2,218- 

2,415. 

2,164. 
2,070, 

2,115, 
2,289, 
2,414, 

2,.'i99, 
2,646, 
«.7«7. 

8,077. 
8,427, 

8,673, 
8,812, 
4,002, 
4,234, 
4,534, 
4,879, 
6,024, 
6,392, 
8,742. 
7,146, 
7,961, 


lOl. 


111. 

16. 
8. 
10. 
11. 

5. 
11. 
16. 
11. 

11. 
6. 

7, 
H, 
18. 
16. 
15. 
16. 

19. 
8. 


8d. 
8. 


8,092. 
8,877,  18. 
8,406,  2. 


1789, 
1740^ 
1741, 
1742, 
1748, 
1744, 
1746, 
1746, 
1747, 
1748, 
1749, 
1760, 
1761, 
1762, 
1763, 
1764, 
1765, 
1766, 
1767. 
176H, 
1769, 
1760, 
ITfil, 
1762, 
1788. 
1764, 
1765, 
1788, 
1767, 
1768, 
1769, 
1770, 
1771, 
1772, 
1778, 
1774, 
17V6, 
1776, 
1777, 
1778, 
1779, 
1780, 
1781, 
1782, 
1788, 
1784, 
1786, 
1788, 


£  8,880, 

9,446, 
9,491, 
10,174, 
10,693, 
11,209, 
12,492, 
18,^80. 
18.790, 
16,277, 
15,674, 
16,910, 
17,788, 
18.882, 
17,686, 
20,968, 
20,862, 
21,837, 
28,146, 
23,2iM, 
24,395, 
28,868, 
26,208, 
26,107, 
26,304, 
26,939, 
28,101, 
27,959, 
80,660, 
82,291. 
88,886, 
86,364, 
86,806, 
85,110, 

89,82f., 
41.24;^, 
37,7  o6, 
40,466, 


lU 

9. 
6. 
8. 

0 
6 


la 
1 

2 

8, 


10,  8. 

10. 
7. 
8. 
8. 
6. 
8. 
6. 


14 

18, 
16, 
13 
17 
18, 
o, 

8, 
11 

18, 
19 
10, 
10, 

4 
17 
17 
14 

8 
19 

2 

6 

7 
18 

•1 

3 
6, 


88,604,  18 
42,499,  6, 


8f 


19,784,  12, 
20,634,  6. 
19,230. 
17,016,  5. 
18,795,  14,  10. 


APPEKDIZ. 


565 


A  Lur  or  ram  Pous  ahd  Ratable  Ectatb  o/  WaUrbur^  in  1787. 
(The  poOs  ofpenoiM  over  70  jttn  of  age  wwe  not  toxtblo  ailor  May,  1711.) 


Gideon  Allyn, 
John  ADdruBS, 
Nathaniel  Arnold, 
Nattiaiiiel  Arnold,  Jr., 
William  Aiidruas, 
John  Aleock, 

Samuel  Barnes, 
Bbeneier  Bronaon, 

Joseph  Bron.«on, 
Ebenezer  Baldwin, 
Thomas  Bronaon,  Jr^ 
Ueut.  Thomas  Bronson, 
Ifoaea  Bronson, 
John  Bronson,  Jr., 
James  Brown, 
James  Baldwin, 
Thomas  Bhkeilee, 
T.itMit.  Julin  nronaOD, 
John  Barnes, 
Thomas  ^niea, 
.T.iiiie-:  Blakeslee, 
Epliraim  BiaseU, 
Jonathan  Baldwin, 
Josiah  Brouson, 
Isaac  Bronson, 
Isaac  Bronson,  Jr^ 
Samuel  Bronson, 
Nathan  Beard, 


£74,  128. 


ic  Ca8tlc, 
Daniel  Curtiss, 
Henry  Cook, 
Thomas  Clark, 
Caleb  Clark, 
Samuel  Camp, 
Nathan  OozwcO, 

Ebenexer  El  well, 

Jonathan  Foot, 
Barnabas  Ford, 
Thomas  Foot, 

Samuel  Frost, 
Oershom  FuUord, 

Jonathan  Garnsey, 
John  Ciura^y, 
Nathaniel  €hinn, 

Stephen  HopUna, 

Thomas  Iliokos, 
John  How, 
John  Humaston, 
Nathan  Hnbbani, 


85. 

86, 

2. 

4fi. 

22. 

48, 

4. 

66, 

2. 

89, 

17. 

6«», 

6. 

84, 

8. 

04. 

105, 

14. 

88. 

106. 

127. 

65, 

6. 

63,  16. 

161. 

65, 

2. 

60, 

8. 

OS,  18. 

26, 

10. 

59, 

9. 

84, 

18. 

77, 

4. 

60, 

8. 

12. 

64. 

41. 

S3. 

«)(). 

116. 

47, 

10. 

93, 

2. 

21. 

74. 

62. 

57, 

10. 

94. 

8-2. 

63, 

16. 

78, 12. 

68. 

in. 

16. 

181. 
77, 14. 
41, 12. 
89. 

26, 10. 


Isaac  Hopkins,  £49,  18a. 

Stephen  Hopkins,  Jr.,  82. 

Daniel  How,  80,  6. 

Jame8  Hull.  44. 

ijamuel  Uickox,     '  68,  18. 

Timothy  Hopkins,  161. 

Wid.  Mary  Hickox,  i:>l,  8. 

Gideon  Hickox,  6U,  12. 

WnUam  Hickox,  97,  18. 

Thomas  Judd,  6,  14. 

Thomas  Jvdd,  46,  10. 

Ebonezer  Judd,  22,  19, 

John  Judd,  72. 

^hw  Johnson,  89,  12. 

Robert  Johnson,  43,  8. 

John  Johnson,  9. 

William  Jodd,  103,  4. 

Joseph  Judd,              .  88,  4. 

Samuel  Judd,  80, 18. 

Stephen  Kelsey,  46,  14. 

Jonathan  Kelsey,  80. 

Joseph  Lewis,  168. 

Samuel  Lewis,  41. 

John  Lewis,  42,  4. 

Amos  Matthews,  35. 

Thomas  Matthews,  49,  2. 

Nathaniel  Merrel,  2f. 

Benjamin  More,  21. 

George  Nichols,  71,10. 

Nathan  Prindle,  18. 

Thomas  Porter,  54. 

Ebenezer  Porter,  41, 

Daniel  Porter,  52,  6. 

John  Punderson,  8^  12. 

James  Porter,  88,  14. 

Timothy  Porter,  30,  6. 

James  Prichard,  66,  4. 

Jeremiah  Peck,  69,  4. 

Jonathan  Frindlo,  96, 10 

PhinMUi  Royce,  si. 

Ebenezer  Richards,  88,  10. 

Thomas  Richards,  96,  12. 

Ebenezer  Riehaaon,  98. 

John  Richnson,  4.3,  n. 

Ilezi'kiali  Rew,  49^  lo. 

Obadiah  Richardl,  68,  4^ 

Marjr  Bicharda,  14, 

JolmSeOTin,  80,  8. 


666 


BISTOST  OF  WATEBBinrr. 


Jonathan  Scott,  | 
son  of  Edmuud,  f 
0«rahom  Scott, 
Eleacer  Scott, 
Samuel  Scott,  Sen., 
John  Sutliff, 
John  SulHlT,  Jr., 
Jonathan  Scott, 
Jonathan  Scot^  Jr., 
Daniel  Scott, 
Joseph  Smith, 
John  Smith, 
JamcH  Smith, 
Edward  Scovill, 
John  Scott, 
Stephen  Scott, 
Ohiidiuh  Scott, 
WilHiuii  ScovUl, 
Diiviil  Scott 
Saiinicl  Scott,  ) 

sou  of  George,  I 
WiUiamSoott, 

Samuel  TKomu, 

Sanuicl  Towner, 
Josiuh  Ti-rrill, 
Caleb  Thomson, 
Stephen  Upaon, 


1  An 

COo,  Ids. 

John  Weltoo, 

£  6. 

John  Warner,  tdlor, 

98, 

le. 

68,  8. 

Dr.  John  Warner, 

03, 

2. 

69. 

Richard  Welton,  Jr., 

60,  17. 
42,  IS. 

83,  6. 

Daniel  Williama, 

91,  4. 

Kliiikim  Wdton, 

26, 

6. 

22,  18. 

Richard  Wclton, 

68. 

30,  12. 

Thomas  Welton, 

86. 

04. 

George  Welton, 

66. 

23,  12. 

Ebcuezcr  Warner,  ) 

22. 

Kon  of  John,  ) 
Stephen  Welton,  Jr., 

97,  4. 

32. 

29. 

JamcH  Williamd, 

22. 

4<»,  10. 

Benjamin  Warner, 

66, 

18. 

23,  18. 

Samuel  Warner,  ) 

66, 

8. 

38. 

son  of  Daniel,  J 

37,  18. 

Samuel  Warner, 

18, 

4. 

72,  10. 

Ehenezer  Warner,  8d, 

35. 

65,  18. 

.I()>*oph  Weed, 

40. 

48,  18. 

Ebcnczer  Welton, 
Bbenezer  Warner,  ) 

26. 

12. 

89. 

Fon  of  Daniel,  f 
Stephen  Wclton,  Sen., 

3'.>, 

65, 

4. 

84,  4. 

Abrahiim  Warner, 

41. 

KS. 

Jona.H  WiM'il, 

35. 

00,  17. 

Ohadiuh  Warner, 

47. 

40,  12. 

John  Weed, 

40, 

7. 

114. 

Ephraim  Warner, 

28, 

12. 

Population  o»-  Watkrbcry. 


1688, 
1694, 
1718, 
1727, 
1184, 
1737, 
1749, 
1966, 
1774, 


about 

180. 

1790, 

«t 

166.* 

1800, 

•i 

180. 

1810, 

«i 

860. 

1820, 

M 

460. 

1880, 

tl 

1840, 

(1 

1,5UU. 
1,829. 

1846, 

1860, 

8,686. 

2,937. 
8,266. 
2,874. 
8,882. 
8,070. 
8,668. 
8,896. 
6,187. 


1790, 
1800, 
1810, 


Population  ok  Watkrtow»,  (incorporated  1780.) 

8,170.         1820,  1,489.  1840, 

1,616.         1830,  1,600.  I860, 

1,714. 


1,442. 
1,688. 


1800, 
1810, 


PoFCLATioN  OF  Plymolth,  (iucorporutcd  17'.>o.) 

1,791.      I  1820,  1,768.      I  1840, 

1,882.      I  1880,  2,064.      t  1860, 


8,206. 
8,668. 


PopDLAnov  or  Wolcor,  (bcorporated  1796.) 

180O,  94^       I  1820,  943.       I  1840,  633. 

1810,  962.  '    I  Ibao,  844.      j  1860,  603. 


e  1lMWadatPorthBaBaMriptn9athattBl<M,**WatirtaTvafla  HMdl  town,  thoaih  vary 
compact.  It  eootalnad  Iwantf-ftYe  ftualttM.*^— (Barbara  Hlatorleal  OottaelioBa  of  OooMfltfral, 


APPBHDIZ. 


667 


1800, 
1810, 


1810, 
1620, 


May. 

16»0, 

91, 

92, 
93, 


1701, 

2, 
3, 

4, 
6, 
1. 
8, 

», 
10, 

16, 

1«, 

17. 
18, 
19, 

20, 

21, 
28. 

2», 
24, 

25, 

26, 

27, 

28, 

29, 

30, 
31, 
32, 
33, 
84, 
85, 
80, 


Population  or  Oxtobd,  (incorporated  1798.) 
l,4tH).        I  18J0,  1,683.        I  1840, 

1,153.        I  1830,  l,7«-2.        I  1850, 

POPOLATIOK  or  MinDLBBQRY,  (iiu  orporatod  1807.) 

847.       I  1830,  816.       I  1850, 

688.       I  1840,  761.  | 

Population  uf  Prospkct,  (incorporated  1827.) 
861.         1840,  648.  1860, 

Population  op  Xacoatuck,  (incorporated  1844.) 
1860,  1720. 

*  Commissi  OXKR.S  por  WATKRnrnv. 


Ens.  Tbomaa  Judd. 
Ens.  Thomas  Judd. 

Ens.  Thomas  Judd. 
Ens.  Tbomas  Judd. 


1694,  Ens.  Thoma0  Judd. 
86,  Em.  Thomas  Judd. 

9<>,  EiH.  Thomas  Judd. 
97,  Mr.  Thomas  Judd. 


JimnClg  Of  THB  PCACK. 


87, 


Lt.  Thoma.s  Judd. 

Lt.  Tboina:)  Judd. 

Lt.  Tbomas  Judd. 

FEu-s.  Tiinolhy  Stanloy  ?} 

Eu8.  [or  Dca.J  Thomas  Judd. 

Tbomas  Judd,  Esq. 

Mr.  Thomaii  Judil. 

Mr.  Tbomas  Judd. 

Dea.  Thomas  Judd. 

Mr.  Thonia-J  .Tiidd. 
Mr.  Thouias  Judd. 
Gapt  Thomas  Judd. 
('apt.  Thomas  Judd. 
Capt.  Tbomas  Judd. 
Capt  Thomas  Judd. 
Ciipt.  Thomas  Judd. 
Capt.  Tbomas  Judd. 
Capt.  Thomas  Judd. 
Capt.  Thoma.s  Judd. 
Capt.  Tbomas  Judd. 
Capt.  Thomas  Judd, 
John  Hopkin.s. 
Capt.  Tbomas  Judd, 
Mr.  John  Bopkins. 
('apt.  Thniiia.-^  Ju<ld, 
Mr.  John  ilopkius. 
Capt.  Thomas  Jndd, 
Mr.  John  Hopkins. 
Capt.  Tbomas  Judd, 
Mr.  John  HopVins. 
[Ilecord  worn.] 
Mr.  Tbomas  Judd. 
^r.  Thomas  Jodd. 
Mr.  Thonnis  Judd. 
Capt.  Timothy  Hopkins. 
Hr.  Timothy  Hopkins. 
Timothy  Hopkiiu, 
Thomas  Clark. 
Timothy  Hopkins, 


1737   Thonifts  Hark. 

38,  Timothy  Hopkins, 
Thoma.«'  Clark. 

39,  Tiinolhy  Hopkins^ 
Thomas  Clark. 

40,  Timothy  Hopkins, 
Thomas  Chirk. 
John  Southmayd. 

41,  Timothv  Hopkins, 
Tlionias  riark, 
John  Suuthmayd. 

48,  Timothy  Hopkins, 
Thomas  Hark, 
Samuel  liiukox. 

48,  Samuel  Hiekos. 

44,  Samut'l  Hii  kox. 

46,  Samuel  Uickox. 
48,  Thomas  Clark. 

47,  Jolin  Sotithniayd, 
Tbomas  Clark, 
Thomas  Matthewt, 

48,  John  Sonthniavd, 
Tbomas  Clark,' 
Thomas  Hatthewa. 

49,  John  Southniayd, 
Tbomas  Clark, 
Thomas  Matthewa. 

80,  John  Southmavd, 
Thomas  Clark,' 
Thomas  Hatthewa, 

61,  John  Southniayd, 
Tbomas  Clark, ' 
Thomas  Matthowi^ 

52,  John  Southmayd, 
Tbomas  Clark, 
Thomas  Matl^ews, 
Daniel  Suuthmayd. 

63,  John  Southmayd, 
Thomas  Ckrk,' 


1,628. 
1,562. 


768. 


874. 


vjiu^uu  Ly  Google 


568 


HISTOBT'OF 


WAXKBBDBT. 


17M,  Thomas  Matthewg, 

Dautel  Southmayd. 
5if  John  Southmayd, 

Thomas  CUrk, 

Thoiiiaii  Matthews. 
M,  Thomas  Clark, 

John  Southtriayd, 

Tbomaa  MatthewM, 

Thomas  Bronson,  Jr. 
M,  ThomaH  (Mark, 

Thomas  Matthews, 

Thonia  Brommi. 

67,  Thorn ai^  Matthewi, 
Thomas  Clark, 
Thoraaa  Bronson,  Jr. 

68,  Thomas  Chirk, 
Thomas  Bronson, 
Thomas  Matthews. 

69,  Thom.iw  riark, 
Thomas  Matthews, 
Thomas  Bronson. 

60,  Thomas  Chu  k. 
Thomas  Matthews, 

WiUbm  Hoadley.  » 

61,  Thomas  Clark, 
Thomas  Matthews, 
John  Hopkins. 

62,  Thomas  (Mark, 
Thomas  Matthews, 
Joseph  Hopkins, 
Caleb  Humaston. 

68,  Thomas  CUrk, 

Thomas  Matthews, 

JoKcph  Hopkins, 

Caleb  HiunaMon. 
61,  Thomas  Clark, 

Thoma.s  Matthews, 

Joseph  llopkinx, 

Caleb  lliimaaton. 
*66,  ThomaH  Matthews, 

Joseph  Hopktn»«, 

Caleb  Huniastou, 

Timothy  Juflil. 

66,  Thomas  Matthews, 
Joseph  Hopkin.*, 
Calob  IIuiiia>t()n, 
Timothy  Judii. 

67,  Thomas  Mattiiews, 
Joseph  Hoplcins, 
Caloh  Humaston, 
Timotliv  J  mid, 
Stephen  Upson. 

68,  Thomas  Matthews, 
Joseph  Hopkins, 
Caleb  Humaston, 
Timothy  Judd, 
Stephen  Upson. 

66,  Thomas  Matthews, 
.Toxoph  Hoiikiii**, 
Caleb  Humaston, 


1769,  Timothy  Judd. 
7u,  Thomas  Matthews, 
Joseph  Hopkins, 
Caleb  Humaston, 
Timothy  Judd, 
Jonathan  Baldwin. 

71,  Thomas  Matthews, 
Joseph  Hopkins, 
Timothj  Jttdd, 
Caleb  Hiinia>t(in, 
Jonathan  Baldwin, 
Samuel  Lewis. 

72,  Thomas  Matthews^ 
Joseph  Hopkins, 
Timothy  Judd, 
Jonathan  Baldwin, 
Samuel  Lewis. 

78,  Thomas  Matthews, 
Joseph  Hopkins, 
Timothy  Judd, 
Jonathan  Baldwin, 
Samuel  Lewis. 

74*  Thomas  Matthews, 
Joseph  Hopkins, 
Jonathan  Ruldwin, 
Timothy  Judd, 
Samuel  Lewis. 

76,  Thoma.'^  Matthews, 
Joseph  HopkiiH, 
Jonathan  Mahlwin, 
Timothy  Judd, 
Samuel  Lewis. 

76,   

77,  Thomas  Clark, 
Thomas  Matthews, 
Timothy  Judd, 
Jonathan  Huldwin, 

Samuel  Lewis. 

78,  Thomas  Clark, 
Thomas  Matthews, 
Timothy  Judd, 
Jonathan  Baldwin, 
Samuel  Lewis. 

79,  Thomas  Clark, 
Thoma.s  Matthews, 
Timothy  Judd, 
Jonathan  Baldwin, 
Samuel  Lewis, 
Phineas  Rorce. 

80,  Thomas  Clark, 
Samuel  Lewis, 
Jonathan  Baldwin, 
Kzra  Bronson. 

81,  Thomas  CUrk, 
Jonathan  Baldwin, 
Jvamuel  Lewis, 
Eara  Bronson. 

82,  Thomas  Clark, 

Samuel  Lewis, 
Jonathan  Baldwin, 


ArPENl>IZ. 


178S  EmBronsoa. 

88,  Thomas  Clark. 

Jonatbaa  Baldwin,  ' 

Bamttel  Lewis, 

Ezra  Broiisun, 
84,  Thomas  Clark, 

Jonatban  Baldwin, 

flanmel  Lewis, 

Bsra  BroD8on. 
88,  Thomas  Clark, 

Jonathan  Baldwin,  . 

DBrCTin  TO 

1689,  Ens.  Thomas  Judd. 

90,  Lt.  John  Stanley, 

91,  Ens.  Thoma«  Judd, 

92,  En!«.  Thomas  Judd, 

93,  Lieut.  John  Stanley, 

94,  Ens.  Thoma.s  Judd. 

95,  Sergt.  Timothy  Stanley. 

96,  Lieut.  Thomas  Judd, 
Ens.  Titnotliy  Stanley, 

97,  Lieut.  Thomas  Judd, 
Sergt.  Isaac  Bronson, 

98,  Lieut.  Thomas  Judd, 

99,  Ens.  Timothy  Stanley, 
17ou,  LitMit  Tliomns  Judd, 

1,  Lieut.  Tlioum.s  Judd, 
Dea.  Thomas  Judd, 

2,  LitMit.  Tliomas  Judd, 
Dea.  Judd, 

8,  Dea.  Thonuis  Judd, 
Mr.  Benjuiuiii  Barnes, 

4,  Mr.  John  Hopkins, 

5,  Ens.  Thomas  Judd, 
Mr.  Stephen  Upson, 

e,  Mr.  Thomas  Judd, 

7,   

8,  Mr.  Timothy  Stanley, 
Mr.  Thomas  Judd, 

9,  Mr.  Timothy  Stanley, 
Mr.  Thorn  a.*  Judd, 

10,  Mr.  John  liopkius, 
Mr.  Stephen  Upson, 

11,  Mr.  Tiiiiotliy  Stanley, 
Mr.  John  Hopkins, 

IS,  Mr.  John  Hopkins, 

Mr.  Abruhiini  Andrews, 

13,  Mr.  Thomas  Judd, 
Mr.  John  Hopkins, 

14,  Mr.  John  Ilopkitii*, 
Mr.  John  iScovill, 

15,  Mr.  Thomas  Judd, 
Mr.  John  Hopluna, 


1785,  Sunnd  Lewis, 

Ezra  Bronson. 

86,  Thomas  Clark, 
Jonathan  Baldwin, 

Sumucl  Lewif, 
Ezra  Bronsoo. 

87,  Thomas  Olarlt, 
Siuiiucl  Lewis, 
Ezra  Bronson, 
John  Welton. 


QmnaL  Cocif . 
OetrtbflwrtoB. 

Ens.  Thomas  Judd. 
Ens.  Thomas  Judd. 

Bns.  Thomas  Judd. 
Ens.  Thomas  Judd. 
Timothy  Stanley. 

lieuL  Thomas  Judd, 
Dea.  Thomas  Judd.  ^ 

Lieut.  Thoini\s  Judd, 

Dea.  Thomas  Judd. 

Lieut.  Thomas  Judd. 

Mr.  Thomas  Judd. 

Lieut.  Thomas  Judd. 

Lieut  Thomas  Judd, 

Sergt.  Isaac  Bronson. 

Lieut.  Thomas  Judd, 

Dea.  Thomas  Judd. 

Ens.  [or  Dvn.]  Thomas  Jndd, 

Thomas  Judd. 

Mr.  Thomas  Judd, 

Mr.  Thomas  Judd,  Jr. 

Mr.  Thomas  Judd, 

Thomas  Judd. 

Mr.  Thomas  Jvidd,  Senr. 

Mr.  Thonuis  Judd,  Junr. 

Mr.  Tlioinu.<  Jud<l, 

Mr.  Thomas  Judd,  Junr. 

Mr.  Timothy  Stanley, 

Mr.  John  Hopkins. 

Mr.  Timothy  Stanley, 

Mr.  John  Hopkins. 

Mr.  John  Hopkins, 

Mr.  Thomas  Judd. 

Mr.  Timothy  Stanley, 

Mr.  Thomas  Judd. 

Mr.  Thoma.M  Judd, 

Mr.  Stephen  I'pwn. 

Mr.  John  Hopkin.s, 

Mr.  Joseph  Lewis. 

Mr.  Thomas  Judd, 

Mr.  Ephraim  Warner. 

Mr.  Thomas  Judd, 

Mr.  John  Hopkins. 


570 


EDBTOBT  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


Hay  Seuion. 
1716,  Capt.  Thomas  Judd, 
Lieut.  John  Hopkins. 

17,  Capt.  ThotnfLs  Judd, 
Mr.  Ephraim  Warner, 

18,  Capt.  Thomaa  Judd, 
Mr.  John  HopkiiH, 

19,  Capt.  Thuma.s  Judd, 
Mr.  Ephraim  Warner, 

20,  Capt.  Thomas  Judd, 
Mr.  Ephraim  Warner, 

81,  Mr.  Jcri'tiiiab  Peck, 
Mr.  Joseph  Lewis, 

22,  Mr.  Ephraim  Warner, 
Mr.  Hichard  Welton, 

23,  Mr.  .lolin  Riehard.H, 
Mr.  Isiinc  HronHon, 

24,  Capt.  Thomax  Judd, 
Mr.  Thomas  Hickox, 

28,  Capt.  Tlioinas  Judd, 
Mr.  John  Hopkins, 

26,  Afr.  Jolni  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Tliuuia^  llickox, 

27,  GR|»t.  ThomM  Judd, 

28,  Capt.* William  Hickox, 
Mr.  Tiniotliv  Hopkins, 

29,  Mr.  Williai.'i  .IiKl.l. 
Mr.  Titnutliv  liopkiuH, 

80,  Mr.  William  Judd, 
Capt.  William  HickoX, 

31,  Mr.  Joseph  Lewis, 
Capt.  William  Judd, 

82,  Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Joseph  Lewis, 

88,  Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Thnma.*i  Judd, 

34,  Mr.  Stephen  ilopluiifl, 
Mr.  Joseph  Lewis, 

85,  Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Joseph  Lewia, 

86,  Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins, 
Mr.  William  .ludd, 

87,  Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins, 
llr.  Joseph  Iiewfa, 

88,  Mr.  Stephen  Hopldns, 

89,  Capt  WilHtm  Jvdd, 

Mr.  Timothy  Hopkins, 
4<>,  Mr.  John  iSouthmayd, 
Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins, 

41,  Mr.  John  Sontlimayil, 
Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins, 

42,  Mr.  John  Sovthmajd, 
('ai>t.  Samuel  Hickox, 

43,  Mr.  John  Southmayd, 
Capt  Semnel  Hickox, 

44,  Mr.  John  Southmayd, 
Capt.  Samuel  Hickox, 

48,  Mr.  Thomst  Mntthews, 
Mr.  John  ScoTiU, 


Oetob«r  SeMion. 


Capt  Thomas  Judd, 
Mr.  John  Hopkins. 
Capt.  Thomas  Judd, 
Mr.  Timothy  Stanley. 
Capt.  Thomas  Judd, 
Mr.  John  Hopkins. 
Mr.  Jeremiah  Peek, 
Mr.  Kphraim  Warner. 
Mr.  John  llo|)kins, 
Mr.  William  Hiikox. 
Mr.  Thomas  Uickox. 

Mr.  John  Rronson, 
Mr.  Thoma>)  Hickox. 
Mr.  Thomss  Hickox.  • 

Mr.  Joseph  Lewis, 
Mr.  Tlioma.<<  Hickox. 
Mr.  .lohn  Hopkins, 
Mr.  .Jo,-<eph  Lewis. 
Mr.  Timothy  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Tlioma.'^  Clark. 
Mr.  Tliomas  Clark. 

Mr.  William  Jndd, 
Mr.  Stephen  Vp^on. 
Mr.  William  Jml.l, 
Mr.  Timothy  Hopluns. 
J«>.><eph  Lfwi.i, 
Steplien  Hopkins. 
Mr.  Joseph  Lewi.-J, 
Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins. 
Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Isaac  Barnt's. 
Mr.  Timothy  llo|)kins, 
Mr.  Samuel  Brown. 
Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Joseph  Lewis. 
Mr.  Stephen  Hoplrins, 
Mr.  Thomas  Clark. 
Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Joseph  Lewis. 
Capt.  Samuel  Hickox, 
Mr.  Joseph  Lewis. 
Capt.  Waitsm  Jndd, 
Mr.  Timotliv  Hopkins. 
Mr.  John  Southmard, 
Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins. 
Mr.  John  Southmayd, 
Mr.  Joseph  Lewis. 
Mr.  John  Sonthmayd, 
Capt.  Samuel  Hickox. 
Mr.  John  Southmayd, 
GspL  Stephen  Upson. 
Mr.  John  Sonthmayd. 

Mr.  Thomas  Matthewa 


▲FPBirmz. 


671 


May  S«Mion. 
1746,  Mr.  Joj*oph  Bronson, 
Mr.  Timothv  Judd, 

47,  Capt  Timothy  Uopkina, 

48,  Capt.  Timothy  Hopkint, 

Mr.  James  IJalrlwin, 

49,  Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Timothy  Judd. 

60,  Mr.  Steplien  Hopkin.a, 
Capt.  Samuel  Hiekox, 

51,  Mr.  Timotliy  Judd, 
Capt.  Daniel  Sotithinuyd, 

52,  Capt.  Daniel  Southniuyd, 
Mr.  Jonathan  (larnsey, 

A3,  Capt.  Daiii)-!  SoiitbDiB/d, 

Mr.  TinioJhy  J>idd, 
54,  Mr.  .John  Soiithmayd, 

Mr.  Tlinitia-  M:ifi!ifW9, 
."irj,  Mr.  Stephen  Iii>pkin8, 

Mr.  ThomuM  Malthewg, 
r)t»,  Mr.  Ephraiin  Warner, 
67,  Mr.  Thonia.-i  Matthews, 

Mr.  Gideon  HotehkiiM, 
58,  Capt.  Timothy  .liidd, 

Mr.  Stejihen  Ilopkinii, 
5»,  Capt.  Timothy  Judd, 

Mr.  (iideoii  HotchkiMi, 

60,  Mr.  John  Lewi.-*, 

Mr.  Thonia.-<  MatthoWB, 

61,  Mr.  Thoma-'  Matthews, 
Mr.  John  Lewis, 

62,  Cbpt  Timothy  Judd, 
Mr.  Jo!in  LewiM, 

63,  Capt.  Timothv  Judd, 
Mr.  Stephen  Upson,  Jr. 

64,  Capt.  Timotliy  Judd, 
Mr.  Josvph  ilopkius, 

66,  Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  Timothy  Judd, 

66,  Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Mr.  SteiAMi  Updon, 

67,  Mr.  Jonathan  Baldwin, 

68,  Capt  Jonathan  Baldwin, 

Mr.  Samuel  Ilii  ko\, 

69,  Capt.  Jonathan  lialdwitt, 
Capt.  Samuel  Hickox, 

70,  Mr.  Thoniu.x  Matthews, 
Capt.  Samuel  Hiekox, 

71,  Mr.  Joseph  Hopkin.4, 
Mr.  ThomaH  Matthews, 

7S,  Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  Timothy  Judd, 

78,  Capt.  .loiiathan  Haldwln, 
Capt.  Timothy  .lii<hi, 

74,  Mr.  Joseph  Hoi>kin4, 
Capt.  Jonattian  Haldwln, 

75,  Mr.  Joaepb  ilopkioa, 
Capt»  Jonathan  Baldwin, 


Oelober  Seuion. 
Capt  Timothy  Ilopkius. 

Capt.  Timothy  Hopkbas, 
Mr.  Jamot;  Baldwin. 
Capt  Timothy  Hopkins, 
Capt.  Daniel  Southmayd. 
Capt.  Daniel  S^nithmayd, 
Mr.  Timothy  Jmlil. 
Mr.  Steplieii  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Timothy  Judd. 
Capt.  Daniel  Sottthmard, 
Mr.  John  Warner. 
Capt.  Daniel  Southmayd, 
Mr.  Ephraim  Warner. 
Capt.  Daniel  Souf hinayd, 
Mr.  Timothy  Judd. 
Mr.  Stephen  Hopklns, 
Mr.  Caleli  Htmiaston. 
Mr.  Timothy  Jndd, 
Mr.  Th«»ma.s  Hron.«on,  Jr. 
Mr.  (iideon  Hotehkiss. 
Mr.  Tboma«  MatthewK, 
Mr.  Gideon  Hotehkiss. 
Capt.  Titiiothy  Judd, 
Mr.  Stef)hen  Hopkins. 
Capt.  Timothy  Judd, 
Mr.  Thomas  Matthews. 
Mr.  Thoniu«  Matthews, 
Mr.  John  Lewis. 
Capt.  Timothy  Jtidd, 
Capt.  (leorpe  Nichols. 
Capt  Timothy  Jndd, 
Mr.  John  Lewi«. 
Mr.  Kphraim  Warner, 
Mr.  Stephen  Cpson,  Jr. 
Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Ephraim  Warner. 
Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  Stephen  I'pson. 
Mr.  Jooathau  Baldwin, 
Mr.  Samuel  Lewis. 
Capt.  Jonathan  Baldwin, 
Mr.  Sumuel  Hickox. 
Mr.  Samuel  Hiekox, 
Capt.  Jonathan  Baldwin. 
CapL  i^nmuel  Uickox, 
Oapt  Jonathan  Baldwin. 
.Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins. 
Mr.  Tbomai«  Matthews. 
Capt  Timothy  Judd, 
Mr.  Jii>^eph  Hopkins, 
Mr.  JoiH'ph  Ilopkius, 
Capt  Timothy  Judd. 
Mr.  Jo-t  jili  llo|tkins, 
Capt  Jouathan  Baldwin. 
Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  .loiiafhan  Bahlwin. 
Mr.  Joseph  Uopkiua, 
Oapt  Sin  BroiiMn. 


u.vju,^uo  Ly  Google 


572 


HIB10BY  OF  WATEBBUBT. 


1796,  Mr.  Joseph  Hopklni, 

Capt.  Ezra  Bronnon, 

77,  Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  Ezra  KronMn, 

78,  CapU  Thomas  Kenn, 
Capt.  Ezra  Hrousou, 

79,  Capt  Thomaf  Fcnn, 
Capt.  Ezru  Bronson, 

80,  Capt.  TlioiDas  Kenn, 
Capt.  Jot  ham  Curtiaa, 

81,  Mr.  Al>iu>r  .lohnson, 
ilr.  Jo.Ht'ph  llopkiug, 

82,  Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Al)nt'r  Johnson. 

83,  Mr.  Jo.xfph  Hopkins, 
Col.  Phineaa  Porter, 

84,  Mr.  Eli  Hronson, 
Capt.  John  Welton, 

8ft,  llr.  Joseph  Hopkine, 
Capt.  John  Welton, 

86,  Mr.  Jos«'|ili  li(i|ikint), 
Capt.  John  Welton, 

87,  Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  John  Welton, 

88,  Mr.  Joeepb  Hopkiu, 
Capt.  John  Welton, 

89,  Capt.  Irtaac  Bronson, 
Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 

90,  Mr.  Jot^eph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  John  W\>lton, 

91,  Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Mr.  John  W«'lton, 

92,  Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Mr.  bsso  BronsoB, 

98,  Mr.  Jo.'»fph  Ilojtkins, 
Mr.  Isaac  Bronson,  Jr. 

94,  Mr.  IsMus  Baldwin, 
Mr.  Joseph  Hopkin^i, 

96,  Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Asron  Bene<Het, 

96,  Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Mr.  John  King.nbury, 

97,  Mr.  John  Kingsbury, 

Mr.  William  Lea^'enworth, 
98)  Mr.  John  Kingsbury, 
Mr.  Jsred  Bvington, 

99,  Mr.  Richar.rWelton, 
Mr.  Ethel  Bronson, 

1800,  Mr.  Rlehanl  Welton, 
Mr.  Ethel  Bronson, 

1,  Mr.  John  Kingsbury, 
Mr.  Ard  Welton, 

2,  Mr.  Ar»l  Welton, 
Mr.  £thel  Bronson, 

8,  Mr.  John  Kingsbury, 
Mr.  Ethel  Bronson,* 


Oetobar  gasilaa. 

Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  Ezra  Bronson. 
Mr.  Jo.seph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  Ezra  Bronson. 
Mr.  Thoina.s  Fenn, 
Capt.  K/.ra  Hronson. 
Capt.  .lothani  CoftisS, 
Tlionum  Ki'tin. 
Mr.  Jo.-epli  liopkin.s, 
Mr.  SaniiU'l  Lewis. 
Mr.  Joseph  Uoiikins. 


Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Eli  Bronson. 
Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  John  Welton. 
Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  John  W'clton. 
Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  John  Welton. 
Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  John  Welton. 
Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  John  Welton. 
Mr.  Joseph  Hookina, 
Capt.  John  Welton. 
Mr.  .loseph  Hopkins, 
Capt.  John  Welton. 
Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Mr.  John  Welton. 
Mr.  Isaac  Bronson, 
Mr.  base  Baldwin. 
Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Mr.  John  Welton. 
Mr.  Isssc  Baldwin, 
Mr.  John  Lowi.«. 
Mr.  Joseph  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Aaron  Benedict. 

Mr.  John  Kiii^'^lMiry, 
Mr.  William  Leavenworth. 
Mr.  John  Kingsbury, 
Mr.  Jared  Hyin<rtou. 
Mr.  Jared  Byington, 
Mr.  Bichard  Welton. 
Mr.  Ki(  liard  W^elton, 
Mr.  Ethel  Bronson. 
Mr.  Ard  Welton, 
Mr.  Janie;*  Scovill, 
Mr.  John  Kingsbury, 
Mr.  Ethel  Bronson. 
Mr.  Ard  Welton, 
Mr.  Abner  Johnson. 
Mr.  Abner  Johnson, 
Mr.  Timothy  Oibbard. 


*  la  tiie  Connecticut  Coarant  of  the  time,  Ethel  Broiuon  and  James  Scorlll  are  oftined  u  the 
eptsssBtatlfss  «f  Watarhwy  In  May,  UM. 


APPENDIX, 


M»J  fltHlOB. 

]8(M|  Mr.  Abncr  Johnson, 
Mr.  Timothy  Gibbard, 

5,  Mr.  Eli  Broason, 
Mr.  John  Kingabmy, 

6,  Noah  Baldwin, 
Anahel  BroDSon, 

i,  John  Kingabnrj, 
Kli  B ronton, 

8,  Thuinas  M.  CulTtr, 
Kimrod  Hull, 

9,  Giles  Brocket, 
John  Kingsbury, 

10,  Noah  Baldwin, 
John  Kingsbury, 

11,  Daniel  Steele, 
Andrew  Adanifl, 

IS,  .John  Kinpsbury, 
TruLuuu  I'orter, 

19,  John  Kiagabmy, 
Truman  Porter, 

14,  Cyrus  Clark. 
Frederick  Ilotchldn, 

15,  Anrlrew  Adams, 
Wilttam  K.  Lamson, 

1ft,  Andrew  Adamai 

James  Soovill, 
17,  Daniel  Steele, 

Timothy  Gibbard, 

16,  Jamoa  M.  L.  ScoviU, 
Timothy  Uibbard, 


Oelobtr  ItMtoa, 

Mr.  John  Kingsbury, 
Mr.  tli  Bronson. 
Mr.  Timothy  Gibbard, 
Koah  Baldwin. 
Asahel  Bronson, 
Nimrod  Hull. 
Thomas  M.  Culw, 
Nimro<l  Hull. 
Giles  Brocket, 
Andrew  Adanw, 
Andrew  Adum^ 
Gile.«»  Brocket. 
Noali  Baldwin, 
Andrew  Adama. 
Daniel  Steele, 
Andrew  Adami. 
John  Kingsbury, 
Truman  Porter. 
John  Kingtbory, 
Truman  Porter. 
Cyrus  Clark, 
Frederick  HotobUM. 
James  Scovill, 
Truman  Porter. 
Andrew  A'dami, 
Daniel  Steele. 
James  M.  L.  Scovill, 
Timothy  Gibbwd. 
Ashley  Scott, 
Andrew  Adains. 


Watkrtown  Rkprkse.ntatites. 


MajrSMtloB. 

nso, 

81,  Capt.  Thomas  Fonn, 
Maj.  Jesse  Curtis, 

82,  Capt.  Samuel  Hickoz, 
Capt  Phineas  Royce. 

88,  Capt.  Thomas  Fenn, 
Oapl  Nathaniel  Banrast 

84^  Capt.  Samuel  Hickoz, 
Capt.  Nathaniel  Bamei^ 

86,  Capt.  Thomat  Fenn, 
Miij.  David  Smith, 

86,  Capt.  Thomas  Fenn, 
Got  DaTid  Smith, 

87,  Capt.  Thomas  Fenn, 
Capt.  Daniel  Potter, 

88,  Capt.  Thomas  Fenn, 
Col.  David  Smith, 

89,  Oapt.  Thomas  Fenn, 
Mr.  Wait  Smith, 

90,  Mr.  Thoirias  Fenn, 
CoL  David  Smith, 

•1,  Ur.  Thomaa  Fenn, 
llr.  DnTid  Smith, 


October  S€s»lon 

Gapt  Thomas  Fenn, 
Mr.  Jewe  Curtia. 
Capt.  ThojnaaFenn, 
Capt.  PbineM  Royoo. 
Gapt  Thomas  Fem, 
C.ipt.  Nathaniel  Barnes. 
Capt.  Thomas  Fenn, 
Oapt.  Nathaniel  Banes. 
Capt.  Samuel  Hickox, 
Mjig.  David  Smith. 
Gapt  Thomas  Fenn, 
Maj.  David  Smith. 
Capt.  Thomas  Fenn, 
Oapt.  Daniel  Potter. 
Capt.  Thoman  Fenn, 
Capt.  Daniel  Potter. 
Gapt.  Thomas  FenUi 
Col.  David  Snnth. 
CoL  David  Smith, 
Capt  Daniel  Potter. 
Mr.  Thomas  Fenn, 
Mr.  David  Smith. 
Mr.  Elijah  Woodward, 
Mr.  David  Smitli. 


574 


HISTOJSY  OF  WATfifiBUBY. 


W. 
M. 
W. 

W, 

97, 
98, 
99, 
1800, 

1, 

s! 

7. 

H. 

9, 
10, 
11. 
12, 
la, 
14, 
16, 

Ifi. 

n, 

18, 


Mr.  Elijah  Woodirard, 

Mr.  David  Smith, 

Mr.  Thomas  Fenn, 

Mr.  Joseph  A.  Wright, 

Mr.  Thomas  Fcnn, 

Mr.  Joseph  A.  Wright, 

Mr.  Anor  Uniillcv, 

Mr.  Jo.soph  A.  Wright, 

Mr.  Thoiiiaji  Fenn, 

Mr.  Aner  Hrudley, 

Mr,  Thomaji<  Fonn, 

Mr.  Samuel  W.  Soutbmajd, 

Mr.  Thoma.H  Fenn, 

Mr.  Tlioiiia«  Fenn, 

Mr.  Tliouuis  Feiin, 

Mr.  Samuel  W.  Southmayd, 

Mr.  Samuel  W.  Soutbnwyd, 

Thomas  Feiin, 

Samuel  W.  Southomyd, 

Thomas  Fenn, 

Samuel  W.  Southma^d, 

John  H.  Deforest, 

(liirrct  Smith, 

Samuel  W.  Southmayd, 

Samuel  W.  Southmyd, 

fJarrt't  Smith, 
Garret  Smith, 
John  H.  Det'oreit, 
David  Baldwin, 
Samuel  Elton, 
AniM  Baldwin, 


Mr.  Elijah  Woodwud, 
Mr.  Daniel  Potter. 
Mr.  Thomas  Fenn, 
Mr.  Joseph  A.  Wright. 
Mr.  £lgAh  Woodward. 

Mr.  Thomas  Fenn. 

Mr.  Aner  Bradley. 
Mr.  Thomas  Fenn. 
Mr.  Samuel  W.  Souduuayd. 

Mr.  Thomas  Fenn. 
Mr.  ThomaM  Fenn. 
Mr.  Samuel  W.  Southmayd. 
Mr.  .Samuel  W.  Southmayd. 
Mr.  Thomas  Fenn. 
Mr.  Samuel  W.  Southmayd. 
Samuel  W.  Southmayd. 
Sanuiel  W.  Southmayd. 
Samuel  W.  Southmayd. 
Samuel  W.  Southmayd. 
John  H.  Deforest 
Garret  Smitli. 
bamuel  W.  Southmayd. 
Sdmuel  W.  Southmayd. 
(Jarret  Stnith. 
John  H.  Derorest. 
John  H.  Deforest. 
David  Baldwin, 
bamuel  Elton. 
Baldwin. 


1796, 

M,  Mr.  David  Rroith, 

97,  Mr.  David  Smith, 

98,  Mr.  David  Smith, 

99,  Mr.  Daniel  Potter, 
1800,  Mr.  Daniel  Potter, 

1,  Mr.  Daniel  Potter, 
8,  Mr.  Lake  Potter, 
8,  Mr.  David  Smith, 
4,  Mr.  DaTid  Smith, 
6,  Mr.  David  Smith, 

6,  Lake  Totter, 

7,  Lake  Potter, 

8,  Lake  Potter, 

9,  Daniel  Potter, 

10,  Daniel  Potter, 

11,  Daniel  Potter, 

12,  Lake  Potter, 

13,  Lake  Potter, 

14,  Calvin  Butler, 

15,  Jacob  Hemingway, 

16,  Calvin  Butler, 

17,  Calvin  Butler, 

18,  OalTin  Butler, 


PLTMOUni  BirumiTATITBS. 

October  ScmIoo. 
Mr.  David  Smith. 
Mr.  David  Smith. 
Mr.  David  Smith. 
Mr.  Lake  Potter. 
Mr.  Daniel  Potter. 
Mr.  Daniel  Potter. 
Mr.  David  Smith. 
Mr.  Lake  Potter. 
Mr.  David  Smith. 
Mr.  David  Smith. 
Mr.  David  Smith. 
Lake  Potter. 
Lake  Potter. 
Lake  I*otter. 
Daniel  I'otter. 
Daniel  Potter. 
David  Smith. 
David  Smith. 
Lake  Potter. 
Calvin  Butler. 
Jacob  Hemingway. 
Calvin  Butler. 
Frederick  Stanley. 
Jacob  Hemingway 


a 


i_.vju,^uo  Ly  Google 


APPENDIX. 


575 


MiDDLIBUBT  BlPltMlOTAmgS 


May  Sesaloa, 


1808,  IsMc  Bronson, 
9,  Avnm  Benedict, 

lu,  Aaron  Benedict, 
11,  £U  BrouHon, 
18,  EH  Bronron, 

13,  Eli  Bronnon, 

14,  David  Thompson, 

15,  Nathaniel  Richardson, 

16,  IMiilo  Hron»ion, 

17,  IMiilo  Bronnon, 

18,  Philo  Brou^n, 


October  8«tsioil. 

Aaron  Benedict. 
David  Thompson. 
Aaron  Benedict. 
Eli  Bronson. 
Eli  Bronsou. 
Eli  Bronfion. 
Nathaniel  Richardflon. 
Fhilo  Bronson. 
Nathaniel  RichtrdMHl. 
Philo  Bronson. 
PhUo  Brousou. 


The  members  from  Waterbnrj  of  the  CooYention  of  Connectient,  in  Jan.  1768, 
to  ratify  the  Conititntion  of  the  United  States,  were,  Joseph  Hofiidns  and  Jviha 
Wehon.  They  both  voted  hi  IhTor  of  the  Constitution. 


Episcopalians  op  Nortiiburt  in  Octobkr, 
iii«pfi««f  to  meet  omd  myaniM  tktmeeltie 

Solomon  Allen, 
Abner  Blakesleo, 
Titus  Barnes, 
Asher  Blakeslee, 
Eli  Blakeslee, 
Hosea  Blin, 
Mosed  BlakeHlee, 
Samuel  Blakeslee, 
Philo  Bradley, 
Amos  Bron^on, 
Et)»>m'7.or  Bradley, 
Noah  Blakeslee, 
Jude  Blakeslee, 
Ebenezer  Bradley,  Jr. 
John  Brown, 
Thomas  Blakeslee, 
Wid.  AbigaU  Blakeslee, 
Joab  Camp, 
Abishai  Cuttle, 
Zadoc  Curtis, 
Amasa  Castle, 
Ezra  Dodge, 
Samuel  Fenn, 
Bbenezer  Ford, 
Jeme  Fenn, 
Lemuel  Fancher, 
Cephas  Ford, 
Barnabas  Ford, 
Isaac  Fenn, 


11i84,  being  the  Name*  of  the  Pertotu 
iiUo  a  Soeietjf  re/erred  to  p.  812. 

Bnoe  Ford, 

Daniel  Ford, 
Amos  Ford, 
Gomefiiis  Graves, 
Benjamin  Graves, 
Simeon  Graves, 
SSaecheos  How, 
BU|4iaIet  IJart.ohorn, 
BUphalet  Hartshorn,  Jr., 
Jesse  Humaston, 
David  Ludington, 
Zebulon  Mosher, 
Chauncey  Moss, 
Jacob  Potter, 
Samuel  Peck,  Jr., 
Samuel  Potter, 
Gideon  Seymour, 
David  Shelton, 
Ezekiel  Sanford,  Jr., 
Abel  Sutlifi;  Jr., 
Samiu'l  Si^'ovill,  Jp,, 
Je»we  Turner, 
VilUani  Tuttle, 
Thomas  WilliamSk 
Eli  Welton, 
Thomas  Way, 
Ozias  Warner, 
Thomas  Williams,  Jr. 
Samuel  Way. 


Digitized  by  Google 


INDEX. 


Audmgs  Family, 
John, 
Joseph, 

Abraham,  Sen., 

Abraham,  Jr., 

Abraham,  3d, 

John, 

Thomas, 
Arnold,  Nathaniel,  Son., 

Rev.  Jonathan, 
Alcott  Gcnealopy, 

Araos  Bronson, 
Dr.  William  A., 
Adams  Genealogy, 
Articles  of  settlement  of  Mattatuck, 

B. 

Bronson  Gcnealofjy,  132, 
John  of  Farmington,  L2, 
Abraham, 

John  Ist  of  Waterbury, 
Serj.  Isaac,  33, 
Rev.  Tillotson,  3i>4. 
Isaac,  Jr.,  LLl;  fined  for 
breaking  the  Sabbath, 
;  his  petition, 
Dr.  Isaac, 
Ethel, 
Isaac  H-. 
Bennet, 
Enos, 
William, 
Moses, 
John  2d, 
Joseph, 
Thomas  Ist, 
Ebenezer, 
Lt.  Michael, 
Hon.  Alvin, 


Bronson,  Lt  Josiah, 
Capt.  Ezra, 
Philo, 
Silas, 
Noah  M., 
Brown  Genealogy, 
Dea.  James, 
James, 

Capt.  Ilezekiah, 
Beebc,  Lt  Ira, 
Blakeslee  Genealogy, 
James, 

Rev.  Solomon, 
Dea.  Moses, 
Capt.  Thomas, 
Barnes  Family, 

Benjamin, 
John, 
Thomas, 
Butler,  Calvin, 
Barber,  Rev.  Ilorace  V. 
Benedict  Gencnlopy, 

Dea.  Thomas, 
Amos, 
Aaron, 
Dea.  Aaron, 
Buckingham  Genealogy, 

Rev.  Mr., 
Burning  about  the  common 
Boundaries,  settlement  of, 
Buck.ihill  settled. 
Break-neck  Hill  settled. 
Bars,  common. 
Birth,  first  on  record, 

first  male  on  record, 
first  in  Westbury, 
Bridges, 
1A2. 1  Burying  yards, 
SM  Brand,  town, 
^1  Bills  of  credit, 

37 


m 

28 

m 

IM 

m 
m 

4fi7 
8 


4A0 

m 

25 
Slli 


31S 

ain 

375 
879 

asi. 
ui 

112 
U2 


fience, 


22fi, 


42n 
121 
422 

474 

47  ^ 

428 
882 
244 
321 
Ml 
466 
24fi 
308 
4fi7 

4£8 
135 
IM 
U& 
IM 

aofi 

4f)3 

aiD 

4A& 
479 
284 
^ 
1A 
261 
2&1 
£8 

im 

fiSO 
98 
2M 
209 
284 


L  y  ^  .d  by  Google 


578 


INDEX. 


148. 


3  If), 
219, 

mcm- 


C. 

Carpenter,  David, 
Carrington,  John, 

John,  Jr., 
Clark  Genealogy, 

Thomas, 

Rev.  Ant(on, 
Castle  Genealogy, 

Isaac, 

Capt.  PhineaSf 

Cook  Genealogy, 

Calkins,  Israel,  taken  prisoner, 

Clerks  of  town, 

Commissioners  of  town. 

Committee,  grand, 

ttieir  last  act, 

Church,  Ist  of  Waterbury  organiz- 
ed, 2l»fi;  members  of,  202;  Bap- 
tist, 553 ;  Methodist  Episcopal, 
656;  Catholic,  658;  2d  Congre- 
gation>il, 

Church  and  State, 

Congregationalism,  the  established 
religion, 

Clocks, 

Churchmen  of  Waterbury, 
Clergy,  Episcopal, 
Constitutional  Convention, 

bers  of, 
Currency,  depreciation  of, 

D. 

Dutton,  Rev,  Aaron, 

Rev.  Matthew  R. 
Henry,  LL.  D., 
Do  Forest  Genealogv, 
Deed,  Indian,  of  1657.2;  of  1674, 
ID;  deeds  of  1684  and  1685,  62, 
63i  of  1711,  64_i  of  1674,  assign- 
ed by  committee,  13 ;  of  release 
from  General  Court, 
Deacons  of  Waterbury,  29j  2fil ;  of 

Westbury,  2fil ;  of  Northbury, 
Dc«iths  of  proprietors, 
Davton  robberv. 
Deputies  of  Waterbury, 

of  Watertown,  513 ;  of  Ply- 
mouth, 524;  of  Middle- 
bury, 

E. 

Ecclesiastical  affairs, 

Epbcopacy  in  Waterbury,  281.  222 ; 
names  of  churchmen,  221 ;  town 
votes  £12  for  a  site  for  a  church, 
iiSlii;  church  built,  225;  petition 
for  parish  privileges,  and  names  of 
petitioners,  2M ;  glebe  lan<ls,  222 ; 
parish  votes,  SlJil;  second  house 


22 

m 
m 
4fla 
m 

484 
4R1 
245 
i&> 
485 

fir.  3 
fifil 
6 
22 


5fi& 
816 


47. 


a 

435 

575 
'284 


888 

455 
4K7 


62 

2fifi 
IM 
824 
669 


575 


202 


I  of  worship  built,  806  ;  dedicated, 
Sill ;  Rev.  James  Scovill's  letter,  228 

Episcopacy  in  Westbury,  8<X); 
names  of  churchmen,  3(  >8 ;  house 
of  worship  built,  iiiiS ;  second  house 
of  worship,  809;  church  funds,  &c , 

Episcopacy  in  Northbury,  810 ; 
names  of  some  of  the  members, 
aj  1 ;  society  organized,  MS ;  new 
church  erected,  fiia ;  fund,  811^ 

F, 

Fulford,  Gershom,  243 
Foot,  Rev.  David,  SliS 
Foote,  Ebenezer,  890 
Samuel  A.,  AM 
Fenn,  Dea.  Thomas,  820 
Farrell,  Almon,  869 
Farmington   church,     action  of 

1677-8, 
Fence,  common. 
Field,  common, 
owners  in. 

Forts, 
Floods, 

Families  at  Judd^s  Meadow, 

Wooster  Swamp,  2S2 
Buckshill,  iSl 
Westbury,  2fi2 
Farmingbury  petition   for  winter 
privileges,  222 ;  not  granted,  2M ; 
again  petitions  with  success,  2fii} ; 
made  a  society,  2&2. ;  a  town,  882 
Freemen,  list  of,  24fi 
French  army  passes  through  Water- 
bury, Mfl 
Fulling  mills,  ftl 

G. 

Gridley,  Thomas,  86 

Samuel,  ^ 

Gaylord  Family,  lifi 

Joseph,  Sen.,  14& 

Jo(«eph,  Jr.,  US 

John,  UH 

William,  141 

Griswold,  Rev.  Alexander  V.,  804 

Green,  Rev.  William,  804 

Guernsey  Genealogy,  4^1 

Dea.  Jonathan,  491 

Gates,  common,  BH 


4A 
d2 
fi2 
6 

102.  108.  IM 
111.  112 
232 


H. 

Iligason,  William, 
Ilancox,  Thomas, 
Hickox  Genealogy, 

Rergt.  Samuel, 
Joseph  1st, 
Samuel  2d, 


2fi 
142 
148,  42A 

ua 
m 

14A 


INDEX. 


579 


Hickox,  William, 

Dea.  Thomas, 
Jodcph  2d, 
Stephen, 
Benjamin, 
Dea.  Samuel, 
Rot.  Laurena  P., 
Hopkins  Genealogy, 

John,  of  Hartford, 

Stephen,  of  Hartford, 

John,  of  Waterbury, 

Rev.  Samuel, 

Samuel,  D.  D., 

Daniel,  D.  D., 

Mark, 

Joseph,  Esq., 
Jesse, 

Dr.  Lemuel, 
Samuel  M.,  LL.  D., 
Stephen,  of  Waterbury, 
Timothy, 

Hurlbut,  Joseph, 

Hart,  Rev.  Seth, 
Rev.  Luther, 

Hoadlcy,  David, 

David,  Jr., 

Holmes,  Capt.  Reuben, 
Israel, 

Harrison  Genealogy, 

Hotchkiss  Genealogy, 
Dea.  Gideon, 

Herding, 

Home  lots, 

Houses,  log,  erected. 

Horses,  wild. 

Highways, 

Hogfields, 


151. 


149 

Liu 

L5D 

4ttH 

aii2 

Llil 

mi 

aim 

4i  IS 
41o 
Ail 

All 


n 


17 


S04 
ALU 

aiiii 

4  57 

fiilfi 
M 
i22 
12 
2Q& 
fi3 
42 


Ives,  Dr.  Ambrose, 

Incorporation  of  Waterbury,  61 

Indians  kill  Uolt,  lofi 

capture  Scott,  inh 

Indian  character,  65,  liH 

J. 

Jadd  Genealogy,  156,  508 
Dea.  Thomas,  of  Farmington,  IM 
Sergt.  William,            27^  46.  ILL. 

Benjamin,  29^  IM 

Thomas,  Jr.,  82,  IM 

Lt.  Thomas,  IM 

Philip,  IM 

William,  son  of  Philip,  ILa. 
Philip,  Jr., 

Dea.  Thomas,  159.  g(>8 

Capt  William,  IfiS 

John,  151 

RcT.  Jonathan,  121 

Samuel,  22 

John,  of  Farmington,  22 


Jones,  Benjamin,  IM 

Judd's  Meadow  settled,  2511 

Justices  of  peace,  5£l 

K. 

Kingsbury  Genealogy,  fill 
John, 

Muj.  Julius  J.  B.  122 

Ecudrick  Genealogy,  LIS 

Green,  514 


Leavenworth  Genealogy,  filfi 
Rev.  Mark,  516 ;  his  ministry, 
2ti]i;  is  chaplain  in  the 
French  war,  '289 ;  reproves 
Samuel  Root  for  sleeping 
in  meeting,  2&S 
Mark,  son  of  Jesse,        425.  518 
Lankton  or  Langdon,  John,  21 
Lewis  Genealogy,  165.  518 

Dea.  Joseph,  Iftfi 
Joseph,  sentenced,  322 
Ludington,  William,  24fi 
Lyon,  Rev.  James,  293 
La  Fayette,  Gen. 

Luxuries  after  the  Revolution,  3M 
Lists  of  Waterbury,  fiM 
List  of  polls  and  estate  in  1787,  5M 
Lands,  Record  of,  2ii ;  divisions  of, 
88.  89,  40i  41,  124^  127_i  se- 
questered, 77i  Rn,       t<4,  91,  2<>8; 
sold,  289 ;  grants  of,  42^  127 ; 
given  away,   117 ;  ministerial, 
2o«.  229^  school, 

208. 


Little  pasture. 


Mansfield,  Rev.  Richard, 
Merrinian  Genealogy, 
Manufacturing  in  Waterbury,  411. 
Hills,  l£  to  92  ;  mill  place,  86^  mill 
lands. 

Meeting  house,  petition  respecting, 
2u8;  alterations  of,  222;  sealing 
of,  228;  votes  reepccting  a  new 
meeting  house,  224 ;  it  is  par- 
tially finished,  226;  seating  of, 
222  ;  vote  to  finish  it,  222  ;  third 
meeting  house. 

Minister's  propriety. 

Minister's  bouse,  204.  218;  subscri- 
bers names, 

Middlebury  petition  for  winter  priv- 
ileges, 22ii ;  made  a  society,  228 ; 
a  town. 

Miscellaneous  items, 


22S 

21i0 


298 

4M 
5M 

84 


291 
U 


22A 


L  y  ^  .d  by  Google 


580 


INDEX. 


N. 

Newell  Family, 

Thomas  and  others  petition- 
ers in  1678, 
Thomoa,  Sen.  28^ 
Thomas,  Jr. 
John, 

Naugatuck,  origin  of  name, 
New  settlers, 

Navigation  of  the  Naugatuck, 
Non-intercourse  with  Great  Britain, 
Northbury  settled,  2fil ;  names  of  set- 
tlers and  petition  for  winter  priv- 
leges,  2li2 ;  incorporated  as  a  so- 
ciety, 2M  ;  petition  to  the  Legis- 
lature for  a  committee  to  estab- 
lish boundaries  of  the  society, 
gft4 ;  first  society  meeting  in- 
vites Mr.  Todd  to  settle,  he  ac- 
cepts and  is  ordained,  *iM;  his 
dismission,  Rev.  Andrew 

Storrs,  2M  ;  early  deacons,  2M  ; 
first  house  of  worship,  270 ;  first 
meeting  house,  22il;  second  meet- 
ing house,  221;  seating  of  the 
same, 

0. 

Olmstead,  Lt.  Nicholas, 
Oxford  parish  incorporated, 


Peck,  Rev.  Jeremiah,  31,  169 ;  in- 
vited to  settle  at  Waterbury,  201 ; 
he  accepts,  2Qi ;  agreement  with, 
204  ;  liis  death,  210;  his  resi- 
dence at  New  Haven,  Guilford, 
Saybrook,  Newark  and  Green- 
wich, 
Peck  Genealogy, 

Dea.  Joremial), 

Jeremiah,  Jr., 

Caleb, 

Samuel, 

Joshua, 

Porter  Genealogy,  1*71. 
Doct.  Daniel,  of  Farmington, 
Doct.  Daniel,  of  Waterbury, 
Doct.  Daniel,  Jr., 
James, 
Thonias, 
Richard, 

Doct.  Daniel,  son  of  Rich- 
ard, 
Samuel, 
Timothy, 
Rev.  Edward, 
John, 
Robert, 


lf.7 

IM 

IM 

225 


074 


2 

22& 


m 

290 
2li 


Porter,  Tbomas,  of  Farmington,  125 
Potter,  Gen.  Daniel,  i21 
Prindle,  Jonathan, 

Nathan,  2ii& 
Rev.  Chauncey,  308.  3119 

Prichard  Genealogy,  fi24 
Petition  of  inhabitants  of  Farming- 
ton  for  a  settlement  at  Mattatuck, 
in  1673,  A 
Petition  of  Rev.  J.  Peck  and  Isaac 
Bronson  for  permission  to  organ- 
ize a  church,  2flfi 
Petition  of  Isaac  Bronson,  Jr.,  .*tlR 
Patents  of  Waterbury,  67j  fifl 

Protest  of  John  Stanley  against  pro- 
prietors giving  away  lands,  1  IS 
Probate  Courts,  M3  ;  judges  of,  filiS 
Pounds,  fil 
Puritans,  character  of,  243 
Population,  increa.««e  of,  243. 

of  Waterbury,        862.  fiftft 
Physicians  of  Waterbury,  2fil 
Perambulation,  2fi 
Proprietors,  first  meeting  of,  13 
rights,  amount  of,  M 
names  of.  9.  24^  81.  40. 

65i70,  IM 
bachelor,  LIS  to  120; 
original  and  bachelor 
of  1722,  125;  vacan- 
cies of  how  filled, 
Jiii;  subscribers  who 
secured  their  rights, 
31  ;  votes  of,  of  1697 
and  1702-8,  IM 


R. 


Root,  John, 
Suniuel, 

289 

210 

Richards  Genealogy, 

12fi 

\in'J 

Obiiditth, 

m 

170 

John, 

Hon.  Mark, 

128 

170 

422 

170 

Obndiah,  Jr., 

US 

170 

Tliomas, 

178 

121 

Benjamin, 

17ft 

612 

Richardson  (Jenealogy, 

179, 

5M 

121 

Thomas, 

129 

112 

John, 

180 

m 

Thoma.^,  Jr., 

ISQ 

m 

Israel, 

IRQ 

m 

Nathaniel, 

Ifil 

122 

Kbeuezer, 

Ifil 

Reed,  Rev.  John,  invited  to  settle. 

212 

Report  of  committee  to  view  Matta- 
tuck, :k ;  action  of  the  Court  on 
the  same, 
RoadH,  17^  93j 

Removal  of  proprietors. 
Revival  of  1740, 


& 

afi2 
m 

22fi 


INDEX. 


581 


Rcpre9<?ntatives  of  Wnterbnrv  to 
Gen.  Court,  ;  of  Watertown, 
678i  of  Plymouth,  574j  of  Middle- 
bury,  52i ;  to  Conatitutional  Con- 
vention in  1788,  fili 


8. 

Steele,  Ehb.  Samuel, 
Rov.  Aalibel, 
Stanley  Family, 

Capt.  John, 
Lt.  John, 
John,  Jr., 
Samuel, 
Timothy  2d, 
Lt.  Timothy, 


5 

fi47 

im 

13j4L  118,  ]m 

m 
m 

m 


Southmayd,  Rev.  John,  34,  Ifil;  in- 
vited to  settle,  215;  ordained, 
216 :  asks  the  town  to  procure 
another  minister,  218;  offices 
which  ho  held,  220;  inventory  of 
his  estate,  221 
Southmayd,  John,  Jr.,  188,  2H3 

Capt.  Daniel,         188,  iM 
Samuel  W.,  ^ 
Seymour,  Richard,  2fi 
Smith,  Maj.  David,  Mfl 
Scovill  Genealogy,  ififi 
John  l»t,'  Ififi 
Sergt  John,  Ifil 
Lt.  John,  ifi2 
Rev,  James,  299,  aoi 

J.  M.  Lamson,  4*29 
WUliam  H.  iM 
Small  pox,  afi2 
Scott  Genealogy,  181.  622 

Jonathan,  and  his  two  sons, 

taken  by  the  Indians,  105,  IM 
Thomas,  lai 
Edmund,  Sen.,  IM 
Edmund,  Jr.,  1S3 
Samuel,  82,  IM 

George,  1H2 
John,  IM 
Robert,  18,3 
Joseph,  188 
Jonathan,  Jr.,  Ififi 
Eleazer, 

Dr.  Daniel,  IM 
David, 

Storrs,  Rev.  Andrew,  2fi2 
Smith,  Junius,  LL.  D.,  422 
Settlement  of  Waterbury  begun,  Ifi 
School?,  2M. ;  votes  of  the  town  re- 
specting them,  235 
School  lands,  sale  of,  229 
house,  2Sfi 
moneys,  2ifl 
Sheep,  5a 
Sabbath  day  bouses,  g9« 


Sickness  of  1712,  USj  of  1749,  Z2A 
Slaves,  aSQ 
Slavery  abolished  in  Conn.,  22ii 
Saw  mills,  90 
Scouts,  lii2 
Subscribers  to  the  articles  of  settle- 
ment. 

Subscribers,  delinquent,  24,  4fi 

who     secured  their 
rights,  ai 
Streets,  original  village,  ll 
Settlers,  first,  of  Waterbury,  per- 


sonal notices  of. 
Settlers,  new,  notices  of. 
Society,  Ist,  first  meeting  of, 


129.  WL 

245 


Talcott,  Maj.  John,  fi 
Terry,  Eli,  425 
Todd,  Rev.  Samuel,  266 
Thomas,  Samuel,  215 
Trumbull,  Rev.  John,  2^ 
John,  LL.  D.,  411 
house,  260 
Town  meetings,  SM, 
Tax  payers  of  1760,  252 ;  of  1737,  [iM 
lists,  4c.,  afii 
Town  plot,  old,  10.  14.  86.  ai 

now,  11 
Townsmen  and  constables  first  cho- 
sen. 76 

LLQ 

847.  afi2.  854 


Train  band, 
Tories, 

laws  against, 


TJ. 

Upson  Genealogy, 

Sergt.  Stephen, 
Thomas,  of  Hartford, 
Stephen,  Jr., 
Stephen,  Esq., 
Benoni,  D.  D., 
Thomas,  of  Waterbury, 
John, 


V. 


Tillage  lota, 


IM 
443 
Hi 
194 
IM 


2iiii 


W. 

Webster,  Lt.  Robert, 
Wadsworth,  Ens.  John, 
Warner  Genealogy, 

John  of  Farmington, 

John, 

Daniel  1st, 

Daniel  2d, 

Doct.  John, 

Samuel, 

Thomas, 


5 

8 

2i, 

25,  m 

IM 
ll'f, 

200 
IM 


L  y  ^  .d  by  Google 


582 


INDEX. 


Warner,  Doct.  Ephraim, 
Benjamin, 

John,  son  of  Thomas, 
Ebenezer, 
Robert, 
Wclton  Genealogy, 
John, 
John,  Jr. 
Stephen, 
Richard, 
Thomas, 
George, 
Capt.  John, 
Woodward  Genealogy, 
Weeks,  Rev.  Holland, 
Waterman,  Rev.  Simeon, 
Wooster,  Rev.  Benjamin, 
Wai»hington,  Gen. 
Year,  old  and  new, 
Waterbury  incorporated, 
origin  of  name, 
patents  of,  67, 


IQfl 
109 
199 

125 

2mi 

200 
201 
201 
2Ul 
201 

4M 

2flii 
2fifi 
44fi 

16 
61 
fil 

  68i  fia 

petitions  Gen.  Court,  for 
abatement  of  taxes,  208,  Z25. 


Woopter  Swamp,  2fi2 
We.stbury  settled,  252;  petitions 
for  winter  privileges,  2M ;  peti- 
tions for  a  distinct  sooicty  and  is 
opposed  by  town,  2fiii;  agiun  pe- 
titions with  success,  2M;  location 
of  its  meeting  hou.se,  2M ;  its 
early  deacons,  Ml ;  incorporated 
as  a  town,  21£ 
War,    Indian,  IQl;  King  Philip's, 
11 ;  French,  and  names  of 
soldiers  engaged  in,  32& 
War,  Revolutionary,  312;  officers 
of  alarm    companies,  MQ; 
names  of  men  who  left  Wa- 
terbury intending  to  join  the 
enemy,  SM;    La  Fayette, 
Washington  and  the  French 
army,  2M;  clothing  furnish- 
ed. Ml ;  names  of  soldiers 
in  the  war,  Sifl;  provisions 
furnished  by  Watcrtown,  2SQ 
Wild  horses,  2ii2 


Page  188^  15th  line  from  top,  /oi-  1«4T,  rtad  1747. 

Page  138i  17th  line  from  top— Mr.  Kilbouni,  in  his  *'  Kilbouni  Family,"  sUtes 
that  Sarah  Bronson  m.  John  KUboui-n. 

Page  160,  nth  and  12th  lines  from  bottom, /or  of  Durham  previously  of  Say- 
brook  ?  read  of  Farmington. 

Page  169,  3d  line  from  top,  /^r  Wrothem  rtnd  Wrotham. 

Page  175.  18th  line  from  top, /or  but  not  rtad  and. 

Page  l&L  Era*t  the  paragraph  next  after  "  Scott."  Thomas  Scott  had  an  only 
sou,  Thnmn*,  and  &  daughters,  Mary,  Samh,  and  Klizahfth.  I  know  not  whoBe 
son  Ednumd  Soott,  Sen.  was. 

Page  183i  13th  and  14th  lines  from  top,  e,ut.v  I  suppose  he  was  n  literal  bachelor. 

Page  186.  ^>vw  the  four  last  line.s.  The  error  arose  from  misunderstanding 
Mr.  Porter's  nianusi-ript.    John  Scovill  in  not  known  to  have  but  one  child,  John. 

Page  '290,  2d  line  from  bottom,  for  whei-e  he  died,  rrad  and  died  in  New- 
New  Haven. 

[For  other  corrections,  see  the  beginning  of  the  volume.]" 


L  y  ^  .d  by  Google 


CORRECTIONS. 


Ptge  1S8,  Sid  line  from  top, /or  1622,  read  lltL 
US,  lart  Hue,  /ir  Sept.  S8,  read  Sept.  S9. 

•*  178,  19ih  line  from  top^/or  1770,  rwd  17Sa 

**  S71,  4t]i  fine  from  bottom,  croM  tntTded  in  Borope^ 

**  874,  IStii  fine  from  top,/>r  1798,  read  1798. 

•*  874,  18th  line  from  bottom,  far  86th,  rtad  88th. 

874,  14th  Une  from  bottom,  for  1889,  rtad  1888. 

**  877,  UthandlSth  linesfromtop^/orbyinTitationof  {heSpiaefq^Coii- 

▼entioa,  read  in  compliance  with  the  wishee  of  the  £piacopal  clergy 

end  leity. 

877,  hut  fine  but  erne,  far  Ber.  Dr.  KobleV,  read  Ber.  Mr.  KobleV. 
**  887,  11th  line  from  bottom,  far  the  Brown  ft  Blton  Obw,  rwNf  Brown  k 

Elton.  (The  aentenoe  Is  bedly  conetmcted.) 
«•  898,  5th  fine  from  top,  far  1868,  read  188S. 
"  898,  11th  fine  frmn  bottom,  /or  St.  Loids,  reeif  Jellbraon  Bameka. 
"  488,  10th  line  from  bottom,  far  Denleen,  read  Benison. 
**  488,  4th  fine  from  bottom, /or  Becker,  fMNlKcker. 
**  4S8,  eth  line  trcm  bottom,  eraee  the  ohmee  In  parenthetio  nmrka. 
**  480,  4th  fine  from  bottom,  far  Waahfaigton  Cofiege,  react  Trinity  (kiOitgt, 
**  481,  16th  fine  from  top,  far  Lawaon,  read  Lamaon. 
**  460,  8th  line  flwn  top,  for  Alvan,  read  Ahln, 
*•  460,  hkat  fine,  far  Ofibert,  read  GiDet. 

461,  6«h,  8th,  SOth  and  S8th  finea  from  top^  ybr  OUbert,  tvetf  GiUet. 
**  468,  6th  and  SOth  finea  from  top^ /»r  port,  rMuf  poet 
**  469,  ISth  fine  from  top,/9r  John  Aleott,       John  Alcooke. 
**  496,  4th  fine  from  bottom,  for  1689,  read  1789  f